Debates of Oct. 23rd, 2026

Summer Parliamentary Events in Nunavut

[Lori Idlout, Liberal, Nunavut, NU]

Uqaqtittiji, over the summer, I welcomed a record number of parliamentarians, over 40, to Nunavut. These visits were part of caucus retreats, government announcements, pre-budget consultations and international studies. I witnessed parliamentarians interact with Nunavummiut. I watched the meaningful dialogue between lawmakers and amazing Nunavummiut. As the sole MP for Nunavut, I rely on those who visit to become our allies. I saw more parliamentarians understand why Nunavut deserves more investments.

Since our return here, I am encouraged by those who have shared how important their visits were. I am humbled when they recall what they learned while they were in my beautiful riding, the most beautiful riding in Canada. I hope more Canadians come to Nunavut to see themselves in Nunavut, to see the beauty. Nunavut, our strength.

Patrick Beatty

[Sandra Cobena, Conservative, Newmarket—Aurora, ON]

Madam Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart to honour the life of my dear friend Patrick Beatty. Patrick unexpectedly passed in a car accident on September 23. His wife, Nabiha, was also seriously injured and is now recovering.

My husband and I had the privilege of knowing Patrick and attending university with him. We shared many moments, the kind filled with laughter. Patrick knew exactly how to make sure everyone had a good time. Patrick was a long-time Conservative activist inspired by his father's dedication to public service. He loved Canada and was a strong advocate for organ donation.

Having already endured the unimaginable loss of their first son nearly 20 years ago, my heart breaks knowing that his parents must now endure that pain again with the loss of Patrick. To Nabiha and the entire Beatty family, our political family mourns with them. We pray for Nabiha's full recovery, and may the memories that Patrick gave us remain with us forever.

Rest in peace, my dear friend.

Canadian Steel Industry

[Terry Sheehan, Liberal, Sault Ste. Marie—Algoma, ON]

Madam Speaker, we know that our steel industry is essential to the Canadian economy and to national security. In Sault Ste. Marie, it supports thousands of workers, families and local businesses. That is why our government announced $5 billion through a joint steel action fund with Ontario to help Canadian steel companies diversify product lines, access overseas markets and strengthen domestic demand through our buy Canadian policies.

We are continuing to strengthen protections against unfair steel imports and are establishing a special task force to improve competitiveness and address shipping costs. Our government is also investing $1 billion into the Ring of Fire, helping unlock one of the richest critical mineral supplies in the world, located in northern Ontario.

This government is standing up for Canadian steel and northern Ontario and is supporting our workers so that Sault Ste. Marie—Algoma can play a key role in building Canada strong. In fact, Algoma Steel said, “This is exactly the kind of decisive, coordinated action our industry needs at a time of unprecedented trade pressure.”

The Economy

[Shannon Stubbs, Conservative, Lakeland, AB]

Madam Speaker, Food Banks Canada just reported a record 2.3 million visits in one month, up 117% since 2019, with nearly 800,000 by children, and one in five visitors has a job. Think about that. Working Canadians cannot afford to feed themselves or their families. Meanwhile, Liberal announcements keep piling up, but so do all the bills.

Canadians cannot take another Liberal promise to the checkout counter. After 11 years in power, what do the Liberals have to say to working Canadians who have done everything right and still cannot afford to eat?

[François-Philippe Champagne, Liberal, Minister of Finance and National Revenue]

Madam Speaker, what I have to say to Canadians is that we have their backs. This government has the backs of Canadians. We understand that the cost of living is the most important thing for many Canadians: the price of food, the price of gas and the price of a home. Canadians are calling, and the answer is that 12 million Canadians will receive the Canada groceries and essentials benefit. We will always be there to support Canadians.

[Shannon Stubbs, Conservative, Lakeland, AB]

Madam Speaker, no one can afford another out-of-touch Liberal lecture about how good they have it, just like that.

Alberta food bank visits have soared 156% since 2019. Food prices have jumped 30%. Higher fuel costs hit farmers, truckers, stores and families alike. The Conservatives proposed cutting all federal diesel taxes until Canada Day. The Liberals defeated it. The Prime Minister admits food is too costly, but blocked relief. Why is he all talk and bad results?

When will the Liberals finally support our Conservative plan so Canadians can afford fuel and food?

[François-Philippe Champagne, Liberal, Minister of Finance and National Revenue]

Madam Speaker, I am sure what the people in Alberta and across Canada are wondering is why the Conservatives are missing in action every time we have a vote to support Canadians. Where was the member when we voted for the Canada groceries and essentials benefit? Where was the member when we extended the suspension of the excise fuel tax for people across the country? At a time when Canadians need support, I would say that Conservative members should join with this government and support Canadians every step of the way.

Finance

[Sandra Cobena, Conservative, Newmarket—Aurora, ON]

Madam Speaker, the Liberal government is spending without restraint. It has added $700 billion in national debt over the last 10 years, but it is adding another $733 billion over the next five. The Liberals are costing us an additional $82,000 of debt per Canadian household. What is the outcome? It is a record 2.4 million visits to the food bank in a single month. That is the highest in Canadian history.

If spending was the solution, surely Canadians would be better off by now. What good is all this spending when the very Canadians paying for it are getting poorer?

[François-Philippe Champagne, Liberal, Minister of Finance and National Revenue]

Madam Speaker, I have enormous respect for the colleague who just asked the question, but she knows better. She knows that Canada has the strongest fiscal position in the G7. She knows that Canada is the only country, with Germany, to have a AAA credit rating. She knows that Canada has the lowest net debt to GDP in the G7. She knows that the IMF just confirmed in its forecast that Canada will have the second-fastest growth in 2027. She knows that this country has everything to build, and that is what we are going to do, with Canadians.

[Sandra Cobena, Conservative, Newmarket—Aurora, ON]

Madam Speaker, they say that they are building Canada, but the reality is that the PBO just slashed Canada's growth rate to a mere 0.9%, less than half of the U.S.'s, and the reality is that they are building generational debt. What is the fastest-growing expense for the government? It is not health care and it is not defence. It is interest, $83 billion in interest.

The Liberals are driving Canadians into dependence on government programs, and they are taking on massive amounts of debt to pay for it. How can this Liberal government possibly claim that its economic policies are working?

[François-Philippe Champagne, Liberal, Minister of Finance and National Revenue]

Madam Speaker, what Canadians are watching today is the Conservatives always talking down the Canadian economy. We have the most talented workers. We have strong industries. We are one of the few countries that can build a car, can build a plane and can build a ship. We have the critical minerals to power the economy of the 21st century. We have an abundance of energy to make things here at home, and we are the only G7 country with free trade with all the other G7 nations. We have everything to build Canada strong, and that is what we are going to do.

The Economy

[Éric Lefebvre, Conservative, Richmond—Arthabaska—des-Sources, QC]

Madam Speaker, how can the minister talk about a strong economy when food banks in Quebec are serving more than three million people every month? That is a 37% increase.

In my riding, the organization Sécurité alimentaire de Victoriaville is helping 2,224 adults and 1,284 children. In fact, 35% of its clients are children. At the Centre d'action bénévole de Windsor et région, the needs have grown by 50% since the Liberals took office.

Will the Liberals eliminate the federal tax on diesel so that groceries are affordable again?

[François-Philippe Champagne, Liberal, Minister of Finance and National Revenue]

Madam Speaker, I know it is Friday and I know that the people of Richmond—Arthabaska—des-Sources are watching question period.

They might wonder what their member of Parliament was doing when it was time to vote to help them. I actually know these people. These are people who are watching and seeing what their member of Parliament is doing. They are wondering where their member of Parliament was when we talked about the Canada groceries and essentials benefit, whether he voted for it or against it. That is what the people in his riding are going to be looking at. Indeed, the Conservatives voted against every single measure we put forward.

[Éric Lefebvre, Conservative, Richmond—Arthabaska—des-Sources, QC]

Madam Speaker, with all due respect to the minister, I can say that I have been here for my constituents for nearly 10 years.

The Restaurant populaire de Victoriaville has served 5,625 breakfasts this year, which is a 15% increase in one year. It has served 21,428 lunches, which is a 10% increase in one year. The lunch boxes for children project has provided 31,453 lunches for our children, 8,167 snacks and involved 40 volunteers. I would like to thank the gang at Clan-Destins for their significant contribution to this cause.

Will the government adopt the Conservative measures?

[Joël Lightbound, Liberal, Minister of Government Transformation]

Madam Speaker, I would also like to pay tribute to the organizations in my colleague's constituency. They are undoubtedly doing remarkable work, as we have seen happening across the country.

Similar organizations in my constituency were the first to welcome the Canada child benefit and to see the impact it has on the lives of households in my constituency. I am sure this is also the case in my colleague's constituency.

In fact, let us talk about his constituency. There are 20,587 children who receive an average of $4,176 thanks to the Canada child benefit. My colleague voted against this measure. He talks about reducing the tax on diesel. He voted against $4,176 for 20,587 children in his constituency. He voted against 34,563—

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker (Alexandra Mendès), Alexandra Mendes]

The hon. member for Berthier—Maskinongé.

Official Languages

[Yves Perron, Bloc, Berthier—Maskinongé, QC]

Madam Speaker, without the House of Commons interpreters, there would be no bilingual Parliament. It would be in English only.

That is why the government's plan to cut the Translation Bureau's staff by 25% constitutes a serious lapse in judgment. These employees have exceptional expertise that low-cost contractors and ChatGPT simply do not have. Francophones deserve the highest quality interpretation services. Good enough just does not cut it.

Will the government show some respect for francophones and cancel these cuts?

[Joël Lightbound, Liberal, Minister of Government Transformation]

Madam Speaker, I want to thank my colleague for his question and for his commitment to official languages. I share that commitment, as does everyone on this side of the House.

This also gives me an opportunity to thank the interpreters, who do an outstanding job every day to ensure that we can continue our work.

With regard to the Translation Bureau, we are meeting the demand from Parliament. There has been a drop in demand. Some jobs will indeed be eliminated through attrition over the coming years. We will always ensure that the highest standards for official languages are upheld in Parliament.

[Yves Perron, Bloc, Berthier—Maskinongé, QC]

Madam Speaker, as Gilles Duceppe always says, there are two languages in the House of Commons: English and simultaneous interpretation. He is not wrong: Ninety per cent of translation is from English to French because everyone chooses English, even a good number of Quebec Liberals. Without our exceptionally talented interpreters, our privileges as members of Parliament would be violated. Let us be clear: French is not an irritant to be entrusted to the lowest bidder with lesser accreditation standards.

Will the government maintain the full scope and quality of our interpretation services and reverse the cuts?

[Joël Lightbound, Liberal, Minister of Government Transformation]

Madam Speaker, again I thank my colleague for the question. I want to assure him that we will always endeavour to maintain the highest standards of quality in interpretation and translation at Parliament.

As for the interpreters, I want to assure my colleague that there is no lowering of standards in terms of accreditation. In fact, we want to ensure that we have the next generation of interpreters. That is why we are investing in programs to train new interpreters coming to lend us a hand so that our work may continue in both official languages at the highest quality.

[Xavier Barsalou-Duval, Bloc, Pierre-Boucher—Les Patriotes—Verchères, QC]

Madam Speaker, it is disheartening that French is still treated as an inconvenience in Ottawa. Cutting the number of interpreters in the House by 25% shows disregard for the rights of francophones, all in the name of saving a few bucks. The same Liberals who have $40 billion to invest in a pipeline should not expect us to believe—

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker (Alexandra Mendès), Alexandra Mendes]

I must interrupt the hon. member, as it appears there is no interpretation.

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker, Alexandra Mendes]

The hon. member for Pierre‑Boucher—Les Patriotes—Verchères may start over from the beginning.

[Xavier Barsalou-Duval, Bloc, Pierre-Boucher—Les Patriotes—Verchères, QC]

Madam Speaker, it is disheartening that French is still treated as an inconvenience in Ottawa. Cutting the number of interpreters in the House by 25% shows disregard for the rights of francophones, all in the name of saving a few bucks. The same Liberals who have $40 billion to invest in a pipeline should not expect us to believe that they cannot afford to pay translators. Francophones are not second-class citizens. It is disappointing to see a minister from Quebec leading the charge on this.

Will he reconsider and stand up for our interpreters and our rights?