Debates of Oct. 26th, 2026

Alstom

[Bienvenu-Olivier Ntumba, Liberal, Mont-Saint-Bruno—L’Acadie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, this summer, Alstom was awarded a landmark contract to design, engineer, manufacture and provide support for 313 new rail cars that will serve passengers across the country.

That is good news for Mont‑Saint‑Bruno—L'Acadie, where Alstom's North American headquarters are located. That is where the teams will do the design and engineering work for VIA Rail's future trains. At the peak of construction, this project will create or support 185 jobs in Saint-Bruno and, in total, more than 1,000 direct, indirect, or related jobs across the country.

Our region plays a key role in Canada's economy. Our teams are talented. They are full of ideas and know how to build the trains of tomorrow. This contract showcases our region's expertise. I would like to congratulate Alstom on this success.

Buying local means supporting our jobs and our know-how. Our government is leading by example. Quebec is playing a key role in this effort. Together with Quebec, we are building a stronger Canada, where we are masters in our own home.

Family Aspirations

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

Mr. Speaker, the last few times my wife and I have announced that we were expecting, we got a lot of congratulations, but there were always a few people who said it must be nice. They are happy for us but sad about the fact that their own family goals have not been realized. These comments reflect how Canada is becoming a more and more challenging place to start and grow a family.

My wife and I started our careers and bought our first home before 2015. It was a different time. Today, homes and jobs are out of reach for too many young people. A rigid parental leave system makes it more difficult to integrate work and family life, and this contributes to the fact that fewer Canadians are reaching their family goals. While I would like to encourage young couples to just go for it, I understand that many see their family formation aspirations blocked at every turn.

As my wife and I prepare to welcome our seventh child, we are committed to continuing this fight for the next generation of families so that life is affordable, leave is flexible and the sublime joy of parenthood is available to all.

Swiss Day on the Hill

[Kristina Tesser Derksen, Liberal, Milton East—Halton Hills South, ON]

Mr. Speaker, last week, we celebrated the first-ever Swiss Day on the Hill.

Parliamentarians, business leaders and diplomats gathered for the inaugural Swiss Day on the Hill, capped by an evening reception complete with a chocolate Matterhorn, handcrafted by our friends at Le Cordon Bleu here in Ottawa.

Canada and Switzerland are both federations built on linguistic diversity. In fact, Switzerland has four national languages: French, German, Italian and Romansh.

In both of our countries, diversity is our strength.

[Member spoke in German, Italian and Romansh]

Our nations are close partners in trade, innovation and research, and Swiss Canadians have enriched our communities from coast to coast to coast. The conversations we start today can become tomorrow's partnerships.

I thank the many organizers and supporters for bringing this celebration to the Hill.

Long live the friendship between Switzerland and Canada.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

[Todd Doherty, Conservative, Cariboo—Prince George—Omineca, BC]

Mr. Speaker, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, is a devastating and debilitating disease. A diagnosis, quite simply, is a death sentence. There is no cure. ALS knows no social boundaries. It robs people of their ability to walk, to speak, to swallow and eventually to breathe. For those diagnosed with ALS and their families, the challenges are immense. We need to ensure that Canadians diagnosed with ALS have timely access to medications and the resources they need. We need to support research that brings us closer to better treatments and, one day, a cure.

This evening I will be co-hosting a reception with the ALS Society of Canada in the Speaker's dining room from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. I encourage all of my colleagues in the House to please attend.

Behind every ALS diagnosis is a person, a family and a community. We must continue to stand with them and work toward a future in which no Canadian has to face this terrible disease without hope.

Alain Lefèvre

[Mario Simard, Bloc, Jonquière—Hébertville—Pays-des-Bleuets, QC]

Mr. Speaker, today I want to pay tribute to my friend Alain Lefèvre. In addition to being a brilliant pianist and composer, Alain is what Gaston Miron called a “ferocious beast of hope”, a man who has not lost faith in human nature despite the wars and ideological divisions of our time.

Through his art, he promotes eternal values like love, friendship and peace. The man who helped us rediscover the genius of composer André Mathieu and who has performed in some of the world's greatest concert halls is a modest man who thrives on kindness rather than worldly status.

On Saturday, Alain was awarded the lifetime achievement award in music by the International Peace Alliance. Through the refined language of his music, Alain promotes a culture that makes us better people and that inspires a desire in us to love others. May he continue to inspire us for many years to come.

Congratulations to Alain and Jojo.

Cyber Security Awareness Month

[Wade Chang, Liberal, Burnaby Central, BC]

Mr. Speaker, imagine getting a phone call from someone who sounds just like a family member, only to find out it is a scam. With artificial intelligence, scammers are finding new ways to trick Canadians. October is Cyber Security Awareness Month, which highlights the need to be careful about the links we open and the information we share online.

Fortinet Canada, a proud Burnaby company, has launched a “P.A.U.S.E. and Fortify Your Online Defence” campaign. It offers free cybersecurity resources for students, educators, businesses and families. The advice is very simple: Before clicking a link, take a moment to check the website address, be careful about sharing personal information and report anything suspicious. More than 400,000 students across Canada have access to this free cybersecurity curriculum through their schools.

These schemes can happen to anyone in Canada. Canadians need to know what to look out for and where to get help if they become victims. Knowing when to stop, check and ask questions can make the difference in protecting seniors, young people, newcomers and all Canadians from online scams.

Cost of Living

[Philip Lawrence, Conservative, Northumberland—Clarke, ON]

Mr. Speaker, markets are predicting it, the Parliamentary Budget Officer is predicting it and even Tiff Macklem of the Bank of Canada is indicating there is a good chance that interest rates are going to go up, maybe even as early as this Wednesday.

Last Monday alone, the five-year bond yield that drives fixed mortgage rates rose by over 14% basis points, but what does that mean for Canadians? Well, if someone has a $250,000 five-year, fixed mortgage that is renewing in the next three to six months, that means their mortgage payments are going to go up about $3,000 to $4,000 this year. What family in this affordability crisis has an extra $3,000 to $4,000 for their mortgage payments? The reason for this is the government's out-of-control spending. Its credit card budget is driving inflation, driving interest rates higher and higher, and making life unaffordable for Canadians.

When will the government finally rein in its spending so Canadians can afford to live?

650th birthday of Guru Ravidas Ji

[Gurbux Saini, Liberal, Fleetwood—Port Kells, BC]

Mr. Speaker, communities across Canada and around the world are celebrating the 650th birthday of Guru Ravidas Ji, a spiritual leader highly regarded for his unwavering stand on human rights against caste-based discrimination. His vision of a society rooted in harmony, mutual respect and inclusion has been carried forward by members of the Indian diaspora, enriching our communities through service and leadership.

I invite all members of this House to join me this evening at a special event I am hosting to celebrate this important milestone and welcoming on Parliament Hill patrons and community leaders from across the country.

British Columbia Election

[Marc Dalton, Conservative, Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge, BC]

Mr. Speaker, congratulations to Lorne Doerkson and the B.C. Conservatives on their resounding election victory. British Columbians delivered a clear mandate for change, jobs, affordability and common sense. Voters rejected Premier Eby's attempt to make the election about Donald Trump instead of his government's dismal record. They want action on job losses, rising costs and the struggling economy. Lorne Doerkson's team will advance major projects, deliver tax relief and restore fiscal responsibility. Repealing DRIPA will provide investors greater certainty.

Congratulations locally to Lawrence Mok, Doug Morneau and Darryl Kropp.

Now, the Liberals must step up. British Columbians cannot afford more delays and empty promises. They must fast-track approvals, remove investment barriers and work together with a new B.C. Conservative government to fire up B.C.'s economy and get people back to work.

Tribute to Men of Terrebonne

[Tatiana Auguste, Liberal, Terrebonne, QC]

Mr. Speaker, last October 11, I organized a “Tribute to Men of Terrebonne” ceremony in honour of five outstanding men—

[The Speaker, Francis Scarpaleggia]

May I ask the hon. member to start again? There was too much noise in the chamber.

[Tatiana Auguste, Liberal, Terrebonne, QC]

Mr. Speaker, last October 11, I organized a “Tribute to Men of Terrebonne” ceremony to honour five outstanding men for their amazing contributions to our community.

Today, I wish to honour Chadi Ayoub for his commitment to the arts and to promoting the region's culture; Éric Barrette, for his dedication to education, sports and the success of our youth; Gilles Bordonado, for his contribution to journalism, communications and our community's development; Raymond Paquin, for his incredible work to preserve our history and heritage; and Dr. Harry Max Prochette, for his devotion to the health and well-being of our citizens.

These five men remind us that commitment comes in many forms, but always targets the same goal: to improve the lives of others. To each of these gentlemen, I offer my gratitude for your dedication and your contributions to our community. You are the pride of Terrebonne.

British Columbia Election

[Sukhman Gill, Conservative, Abbotsford—South Langley, BC]

Mr. Speaker, we have good news. This past Saturday, the people of British Columbia delivered a strong and historic message. For the first time in nearly 100 years, British Columbians elected a Conservative majority government.

The B.C. Conservatives secured a powerful mandate of over 60 seats, bringing an end to the nine years of the costly NDP government. From the Lower Mainland to the interior, from the Fraser Valley to communities large and small, British Columbians chose change. They chose a government committed to lowering costs, cutting red tape and putting hard-working families first.

I want to congratulate Premier-elect Lorne Doerkson, every Conservative candidate and every voter who refused to accept the status quo.

This was more than just an election victory. It was a powerful reminder that common-sense Conservative principles resonate with Canadians. The blue wave is strong, our movement is growing and this is just the beginning.

Gord Hume

[Peter Fragiskatos, Liberal, London Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honour the incredible life of Gord Hume, a Londoner who passed away recently at the age of 76.

Gord was born in Saskatoon. He came to London in 1980. He first worked in news media, but made his most lasting contributions to our community as a city councillor. He was elected in 1997, was on the council until 2010, and especially contributed, through the millennium committee formed in 1998, to the revitalization of the Covent Garden Market, to the revitalization of the Central Library and to what was then called the John Labatt Centre, but is now called the Canada Life Place. This is the home of the London Knights, which is a landmark in London, to say the least. Gord also worked as a novelist, producing a number of books, and wrote widely on municipal government.

This was a true Londoner. This was a great Canadian. Our city is less because of his passing. Our city was great because of Gord and people like him.

The Economy

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, demand is soaring. Le Journal de Québec reported that a charity called Le Marginal served 400 meals in a single evening. That is five times more than 10 years ago. However, it seems that the Prime Minister has learned nothing. He is still forecasting $730 billion of inflationary debt within five years, which will further fuel inflation.

Why are Canadians being asked to pay more for his debt than for the food they put on their tables?

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

Mr. Speaker, the people of Quebec City who are watching us will realize that, sadly, the leader of the Conservative Party, who is the Leader of the Opposition, did two things when the House had the opportunity to vote on the Canada groceries and essentials benefit, a measure that helps 12 million Canadians, including many in Quebec City. One, he voted against the benefit. Two, he instructed his caucus to vote against it. The people of Quebec City will remember that.

On this side of the House, we will always be there to stand up for the people of Quebec City.

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, all of these inflationary Liberal programs are not working for the 400 people who were in need of a hot meal.

It is not just the demand for hot meals that is skyrocketing. The Liberals' inflationary debt is too. According to a report by the Parliamentary Budget Officer, the Prime Minister is going to add $730 billion to our debt. That is going to drive up the cost of living. It is going to cost a family of four $6,000 in interest a year.

Why must Canadians feed the Liberal debt instead of feeding their families?

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

Mr. Speaker, after spending two decades in the House, the Conservative leader should know one thing: When it comes to helping Canadians, he should put politics aside and vote to help them. Twelve million Canadians will receive the Canada groceries and essentials benefit, which provides up to $1,891 for a family of four. That is money that is going into families' bank accounts to help them.

Will the Conservative leader stand up and say that he will now support our measures to help Canadians?

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, the Liberal Prime Minister is out of touch, Canadians are out of money and the debt is out of control. More inflation is on the horizon as the Parliamentary Budget Officer calculated that the government is expected to add $730 billion to our national debt over the next five years. That is three-quarters of a trillion dollars more on the national credit card, working out to $40,000 in debt for every single Canadian. That is more handouts to corporate power brokers, more interest to bankers, and more food and housing inflation for Canadians.

How does he expect them to pay this bill?

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

Mr. Speaker, we will take no lessons from the Conservatives. Canada has the strongest fiscal position in the G7. We have one of the most educated workforces in the world. We are able to build planes, build ships and build cars in this country. We have the critical minerals to power the economy of the 21st century. We have an abundance of energy and we are going to produce even more. We are the only G7 nation with a free trade agreement with all the other G7 nations. This is what is building Canada strong.

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, the finance minister is absolutely right that Canadians are very educated. They are educated enough to know that the government is cooking the books. The Prime Minister is dividing his deficits on three credit cards. One he calls operational spending, another he claims is investment and a third goes to Crown corporations. However, Canadians understand that just because the Liberals put their debt on three different credit cards does not mean they do not have to pay the interest.

Given that Canadians understand that, when will the Prime Minister get this basic financial lesson?

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

Mr. Speaker, one thing Canadians understand is that the Leader of the Opposition keeps talking the Canadian economy down. He keeps talking against the industries in this country.

We have the strongest fiscal position in the G7. We have the lowest net debt-to-GDP ratio in the G7. We have one of the lowest deficits in the G7. We are the only country with Germany in the G7 to have an AAA credit rating.

We are going to build Canada strong and we are going to do it with all Canadians.

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, it is the Liberal government that is driving the Canadian economy down. It is doing it with credit card debt, and the interest on it is not free. It comes with interest.

What is the biggest expense in this Liberal budget? Is it health care? Is it seniors? No, the fastest-growing expense is interest on the debt. The average family of four will spend $6,000 on federal taxes just for the debt, not for health care and not for our military.

How does the Prime Minister expect a family to spend $6,000 when they cannot afford groceries?

[Tim Hodgson, Liberal, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources]

Mr. Speaker, this is what the Prime Minister is spending money on: 5,000 new jobs in Churchill Falls, 8,000 new jobs for Contrecoeur, 1,000 new jobs for Nouveau Monde Graphite, 18,000 new jobs at Darlington and 30,000 new jobs at Pickering.

Rather than talk down the economy, why do the Conservatives not help us add new jobs to the Canadian economy?

Finance

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, debt interest is the fastest-growing item on this government's budget. It does not buy a single doctor, a single soldier or a single protection at our border.

Here is what this rising cost means for a family of four. Five years ago, it was $2,400 in interest on the debt for that family. Right now, it is $6,000, and in four years, it will be $8,000 in taxes paid not to get any services but just to pay the bankers.

Will the Prime Minister come to the finance committee and tell that family where they are going to get $8,000 for interest to his banker friends?