Debates of Oct. 26th, 2026

Foreign Affairs

[Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Bloc, Lac-Saint-Jean, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister travelled to Turkey to strike a deal with President Erdoğan's authoritarian regime. He stated that Canada and Turkey have shared values, including “human rights, individual freedoms, democracy, and the rule of law”. The fact of the matter is that the Turkish regime persecutes LGBTQ+ people. It imprisons political opponents and journalists. It is massacring the Kurdish minority. I could keep going.

How can the Prime Minister use the reputation of Quebec and Canada to trivialize that regime's transgressions?

[Mona Fortier, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, we firmly believe that every individual deserves to live with dignity, to feel safe, and to be free to be themselves. Canada will never turn a blind eye to discrimination, persecution or oppression based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

Engagement does not imply approval.

However, by diversifying our partnerships through trade, investment and economic co-operation, we are creating opportunities to strengthen high-level ties and advance human rights.

[Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Bloc, Lac-Saint-Jean, QC]

Mr. Speaker, speaking of hypocrisy, this morning, Canada signed a joint statement condemning the genocide-like violence in Sudan that is being committed by the Rapid Support Forces, or RSF.

Who is the primary supplier of military equipment to the RSF? It is the United Arab Emirates, whose crown prince the Prime Minister of Canada is hosting tonight. This morning, Canada condemned the massacres, but tonight, it is hosting a banquet in honour of one of the people responsible.

Once again, Canada is downplaying human rights abuses.

Will the Prime Minister at least raise this issue at his event tonight?

[Mona Fortier, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, as I said earlier, we firmly believe that everyone deserves to live with dignity, to feel safe and to be free to be themselves. We are continuing our efforts to work with the United Arab Emirates and we will continue those conversations.

In fact, the Prime Minister will be meeting with the U.A.E. team today, and we will see how we can continue to work together.

The Economy

[Scot Davidson, Conservative, York—South Simcoe, ON]

Mr. Speaker, this is heartbreaking. Right now, in Bradford and in towns and cities across Canada, every shelf in the food bank is bare. Despite the continued generosity of the community, food banks cannot keep up with demand. This is the consequence of Liberal failures that have seen food prices keep soaring, far outpacing what everyday Canadians can afford. People should not have to rely on government or charity just to put a meal on the table.

When will the Prime Minister reverse his inflationary policies so that Canadians can afford to eat again?

[Leslie Church, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Secretaries of State for Labour]

Mr. Speaker, those same Canadians are asking when the Conservatives are going to change their approach. When are they going to start standing up and supporting the government when we put forward initiatives like the groceries and essentials benefit and the Canada child benefit? We stand up and support a national school food program that serves food in the member's communities, but he still stands up and votes against it time and time again, against the very Canadians who benefit from the support the government is working to deliver.

[Scot Davidson, Conservative, York—South Simcoe, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the Liberals can pretend that their expensive programs are working, but the record numbers of Canadians lined up at food banks can tell us that they are not. Food bank usage in Canada has a record 2.35 million visits in a month, and nearly one in five clients is employed. These are working Canadians who used to make ends meet and now cannot because of the government's failed policy.

If the Prime Minister thinks life is so affordable, why is a full-time job not enough to feed a family?

[Leslie Church, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Secretaries of State for Labour]

Mr. Speaker, we know that Canadians are facing challenges right now. Food is the beginning, but this also extends to the work we are doing to bring down the cost of renting or buying a home, one of the highest expenses that we know Canadians face. We have renewed our child care deals to keep building a program that is saving families thousands of dollars a year. We are making massive investments in students, in training and in the skilled trades. We are investing in the things that are going to build prosperity and build a bright future for all Canadians.

[Jagsharan Singh Mahal, Conservative, Edmonton Southeast, AB]

Mr. Speaker, the Liberal government is costing Canadians more. In 2026, food banks in Alberta have seen more than 230,000 visits. This represents a staggering 9% increase from last year alone. These numbers should alarm every Canadian.

Will the Liberals acknowledge that relying on food banks is now the new normal for Canadians, or are they totally out of touch?

[Maninder Sidhu, Liberal, Minister of International Trade]

Mr. Speaker, when times are uncertain, our government shows up. It is why residents in the member's riding and those across Canada are receiving the groceries and essentials benefit, receiving close to $1,890 this year.

That is not all. We are leaning in. We are supporting them with child care and supporting them with dental care. We are investing in Canadians, and that is how we build Canada strong.

[Gérard Deltell, Conservative, Louis-Saint-Laurent—Akiawenhrahk, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the face of poverty is changing, and not for the better. People who were donating to food banks a few years ago are now in need of help themselves. Working individuals and dual-income families are being forced to seek food assistance. Six years ago, the Moisson Québec food bank in Quebec City was serving 35,000 people. Now it is serving 84,000 and 35% of them are children.

The Minister of Finance is preparing the budget that he is going to table in a few days. Could he rise and explain to Canadians why they are having such a hard time making ends meet after 11 years of Liberal governance?

[Anna Gainey, Liberal, Secretary of State (Children and Youth)]

Mr. Speaker, this year, we made the school food and nutrition program permanent for children across the country. We achieved a participation rate of 80% of public schools across the country, and we are serving meals to 400,000 more children. This investment will continue in the coming years, but every time there is a vote in the House to support this program, the members opposite vote against this investment in children's nutrition.

[Gérard Deltell, Conservative, Louis-Saint-Laurent—Akiawenhrahk, QC]

Mr. Speaker, more than three million Quebeckers need help and food assistance, among other things.

In my region, in my riding, the charitable organization Amélie et Frédérick has seen a 50% increase in demand over the past three years. I received a message from this organization just a few minutes ago, saying that it is getting more and more requests from people aged 75 plus and even 80 plus. These are people who have worked their entire lives and contributed to our society, but who now have to ask for food assistance so they can get enough to eat.

Once again, can the Minister of Finance explain why, after 11 years of Liberal management, seniors are still struggling to get by?

[Anna Gainey, Liberal, Secretary of State (Children and Youth)]

Mr. Speaker, the Canada child benefit is helping 12,700 families in my colleague's riding. The members opposite vote against that program every single budget. In addition, more than 20,000 people in my colleague's riding are receiving dental care, but he votes against this investment in dental care for children.

We are here for families and for Canadians. We are helping those who need it. It would be nice if the members opposite would stand with us and support us in these measures.

Child Care

[Jean Yip, Liberal, Scarborough—Agincourt, ON]

Mr. Speaker, many families in Scarborough—Agincourt and across Canada are concerned about the cost of living and managing expenses such as child care.

Can the Secretary of State for Children and Youth provide an update on what the government is doing to make life more affordable for families?

[Anna Gainey, Liberal, Secretary of State (Children and Youth)]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague from Scarborough—Agincourt for her advocacy.

We are working with the provinces and territories across the country to deliver affordable child care that works for families. Fees are down across the country, saving families thousands of dollars.

We know there is more to do, which is why we recently announced a four-year extension with the Province of Ontario, a $12-billion investment in early learning and child care. In the province of Ontario, 39,000 new spots have been created, and we will continue to work with Ontario to deliver on the goal of 86,000 new affordable child care spaces.

Steel and Aluminum Industry

[Kyle Seeback, Conservative, Dufferin—Caledon, ON]

Mr. Speaker, 10 months ago, the industry minister promised that she was going to sue Stellantis and get the jobs back. Did she sue? No. Did she get the jobs back? No.

Guess what. The industry minister is now saying that she is going to sue Stelco and get the jobs back. Has she sued? No. Has she got the jobs back? No.

When will the minister stop the talk and get results? Does her word to workers actually mean anything?

[Mélanie Joly, Liberal, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions]

Mr. Speaker, have the Conservatives ever denounced the American tariffs? No. Have they done anything to prevent them from hurting us? No. That is why we need to make sure we have our eyes wide open when dealing with Stellantis and when dealing with Stelco.

When it comes to Stelco, we will do everything to bring the jobs back. There are 11 days left. The clock is ticking, and we will make sure to protect jobs.

[Kyle Seeback, Conservative, Dufferin—Caledon, ON]

Mr. Speaker, did the minister say anywhere in that answer that she was really going to sue? No. It is all talk and no results with the Liberals. She went on a diatribe about a whole bunch of things that the opposition should do in the face of American tariffs. Here is news for the minister: They are the government. They are the one who are supposed to do something about it.

I will go back to this: Does the minister's word actually mean anything? At the expiration of her second 15-day notice, will she sue, yes or no?

[Mélanie Joly, Liberal, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions]

Mr. Speaker, yes.

[Ned Kuruc, Conservative, Hamilton East—Stoney Creek, ON]

Mr. Speaker, it has been a month since Stelco announced that 350 Hamilton steelworkers would lose their jobs. Here is the Conservative five-point plan to protect the steel industry and its workers: get a steel deal with the U.S., which the Prime Minister promised a year and a half ago; end illegal foreign steel dumping; get rid of the industrial carbon tax; pre-approve multiple LNG projects; and sue Cleveland-Cliffs for breaking its contract to the Prime Minister.

Which of these have you completed?

[The Speaker, Francis Scarpaleggia]

I want to get this straight so that everybody understands. We address questions through the Chair.

The hon. Minister of Industry.

[Mélanie Joly, Liberal, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions]

Mr. Speaker, I love it when the Conservatives quote from our plan. It just validates us even more.

Jokes aside—

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[The Speaker, Francis Scarpaleggia]

I cannot hear. I need to hear this.

The hon. Minister of Industry.