Debates of Oct. 5th, 2026

Steel and Aluminum Industry

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

Mr. Speaker, while my colleague is busy playing politics and grandstanding, I am looking forward to working with him and getting down to business. The reality is that there are people right now who are being affected by the tariffs.

First of all, it would be tremendously helpful if my colleague would speak out against the tariffs, because the tariffs are being imposed by the U.S. government. Unfortunately, he seems to be overlooking that fact. Second, we are going to work on projects in his riding, because, of course, we will be there for the people of Beauce.

The Economy

[Natilien Joseph, Liberal, Longueuil—Saint-Hubert, QC]

Mr. Speaker, Thanksgiving is fast approaching. As families in Longueuil—Saint-Hubert head to the grocery store to prepare for large family gatherings, they are looking for extra support to help them cope with the cost of food and other everyday essentials. As Canadians and Quebeckers, we have many reasons to be grateful.

As families across the country prepare to celebrate, what measures is our government taking to make life more affordable?

[Joël Lightbound, Liberal, Minister of Government Transformation]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague for his excellent question.

It is true that one of the government's key roles is to ensure that each and every citizen can reach their full potential. The government can help the people, whether it is through social housing, the suspension of the gas tax, the Canada child benefit or the Canadian dental care plan.

Today, on October 5, the Canada groceries and essentials benefit that we introduced is being deposited into the accounts of 12 million Canadians. This amounts to $340 for a family of four. This measure reduces poverty for 67,000 Canadians, lifting them out of poverty.

This is essential, and I thank my colleague for his work and support.

Public Services and Procurement

[Andrew Lawton, Conservative, Elgin—St. Thomas—London South, ON]

Mr. Speaker, we have even more proof that the Prime Minister is all talk and no results. Just over a year after he announced his own government's buy Canadian policy, we now learn that the government has spent $7.8 billion enriching American corporations. A Prime Minister who says that we are “at war” with the United States is padding the bottom lines of American companies.

He told Canadians to buy Canadian. Why is he not?

[Patty Hajdu, Liberal, Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario]

Mr. Speaker, just last month, I was honoured to stand with the Minister of Transport and the Prime Minister in Thunder Bay, Ontario, at the Alstom plant as we announced support for Via to purchase its new fleet of cars using Canadian talent in a Canadian plant. That will benefit workers in La Pocatière and in Thunder Bay.

This is the announcement of a generation for my riding, with 10 years of solid work. Congratulations to the members of Unifor and Alstom for bringing it home.

[Andrew Lawton, Conservative, Elgin—St. Thomas—London South, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I apologize, but I believe the minister got her talking points mixed up, because that had nothing to do with the question I asked.

The Prime Minister looked at Canadians and said that he was going to lead by example and his government was going to buy Canadian. Instead, he has increased, in the time he has been Prime Minister, the number of government contracts going to American companies from one-fifth to one-third. Perhaps it is because 90% of his investments are wrapped up in American corporations.

Here is a very easy question for the Prime Minister: What is up, his elbows or his stock portfolio?

[Joël Lightbound, Liberal, Minister of Government Transformation]

Mr. Speaker, I am very proud that the buy Canadian policy has been in place since December for procurement in Canada. More than $22 billion in contracts are either in progress or have been awarded under the buy Canadian policy.

This policy aims to encourage the use of Canadian suppliers, but also, and especially, Canadian content. According to the article so frequently quoted since this morning, many companies employ thousands of Canadians across the country.

Steel and Aluminum Industry

[Kathy Borrelli, Conservative, Windsor—Tecumseh—Lakeshore, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the Liberals promised to stand up for Canadian workers. Back in Windsor, we are still waiting.

Last week's layoffs at Stelco are just the latest warning. Last October, Windsor workers called out the use of foreign steel on the Banwell-E.C. Row project, even though Canadian producers were ready to compete for the work. Canadian projects should use Canadian steel and Canadian workers.

When will the Liberals stop the rhetoric and actually deliver the results they promised Canadian workers?

[Evan Solomon, Liberal, Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario]

Mr. Speaker, we are defending Canada's steel industry. We are defending the auto industry. We are investing in businesses, including in the member's riding.

We have delivered $7.5 billion in support to businesses and workers across the country, including steel companies. I was at Daybar, which uses Hamilton steel for doors and frames that it can export, and there are many other companies.

The Conservatives should get on board and start building this country up, not tearing it down.

Foreign Affairs

[James Maloney, Liberal, Etobicoke—Lakeshore, ON]

Mr. Speaker, since Russia began its brutal invasion in 2022, more than 20,000 Ukrainian children have been unlawfully deported or forcibly transferred. These children must be brought home. Last week, in Toronto, I was pleased to join representatives from around the world who came together to advance that goal.

Canada has long been known for pairing strength with compassion. Can the minister explain how Canada is leading international efforts to bring these children home, reunite families and hold those responsible to account?

[Anita Anand, Liberal, Minister of Foreign Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, the abduction of Ukrainian children is one of the most illegal and egregious aspects of Russia's illegal and unjustifiable war. Last week, we brought together 70 countries to work toward the return of Ukrainian children, prisoners of war and detained civilians. We put on the table $7 million, including for grassroots organizations, to bring these children home.

Putin must be stopped. This war is illegal, and we will stand with Ukraine in the short and the long term.

Slava Ukraini.

Veterans Affairs

[Jeff Kibble, Conservative, Cowichan—Malahat—Langford, BC]

Mr. Speaker, in 1992, Canadian soldiers deployed to war-torn Somalia were ordered to take mefloquine, an anti-malarial drug developed by the U.S. military and unlicensed in Canada. The Canadian government knew that the side effects included anxiety, paranoia, hallucinations and psychotic behaviour, yet did not follow trial safety protocols. For many, those side effects never stopped.

For 25 years, they have been fighting in court for the truth, yet in June, government lawyers moved to shut the case down. Will the Prime Minister immediately settle the court case, reopen the Somalia inquiry and apologize to Canadian veterans?

[David McGuinty, Liberal, Minister of National Defence]

Mr. Speaker, given the fact that this case remains under litigation, it is inappropriate for the government to involve itself in the matter. I have taken due note of the member's concerns, and I will take them back to my office.

The Environment

[Elizabeth May, Green, Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the October 1 press release from the Prime Minister says that the pipeline will follow a southern route that “avoids highly sensitive ecosystems”. Is the government actually unaware that the pipeline route plows through the most sensitive marine areas on the B.C. coast: the Salish Sea, the Gulf Islands marine national park, the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve, the Boundary Bay protected Ramsar site, Roberts Bank and on and on, the most sensitive Fraser River salmon habitat? Did the government talk to any scientists before making this flawed decision?

[Julie Dabrusin, Liberal, Minister of the Environment]

Mr. Speaker, I want to highlight that our government takes the protection of oceans and nature very seriously. Earlier this year, I was able to attend, with six first nations, the establishment of the Great Bear Sea national marine conservation area reserve, an area of 6,700 kilometres. We are in the process of establishing further ocean protections, many of which were announced just last week. The tanker ban remains in place. Our nature protections and ocean protections continue. In fact, we are only getting started.

Presence in Gallery

[The Speaker, Francis Scarpaleggia]

I wish to draw the attention of members to the presence in the gallery of the Hon. R. J. Simpson, Premier of the Northwest Territories.

[Some hon. members]

Hear, hear!

Office of the Commissioner of Lobbying of Canada

[The Speaker, Francis Scarpaleggia]

It is my duty to lay before the House, pursuant to subsection 94(2) of the Access to Information Act and subsection 72(2) of the Privacy Act, the reports of the Commissioner of Lobbying on the administration of these acts for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2026.

Pursuant to Standing Order 108(3)(h), these reports are deemed to have been permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics.

Health

[Sukh Dhaliwal, Liberal, Surrey Newton, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the fifth report of the Standing Committee on Health in relation to Bill C-224, an act to amend the Food and Drugs Act, regarding natural health products. Pursuant to Standing Order 97.1(1), the committee requests a 30-day extension to consider it.

[The Speaker, Francis Scarpaleggia]

Pursuant to Standing Order 97.1(3)(a), a motion to concur in the report is deemed moved, the question deemed put, and the recorded division deemed requested and deferred until Wednesday, October 7, at the expiry of the time provided for Oral Questions.

Justice and Human Rights

[Iqra Khalid, Liberal, Mississauga—Erin Mills, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the eighth report of the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights in relation to Bill C-238, an act to amend the Criminal Code, regarding restitution orders. The committee has studied the bill and has decided to report the bill back to the House with amendments.

Business of the House

[Arielle Kayabaga, Liberal, London West, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask for consent to adopt the following motion:

That, notwithstanding any standing order or usual practice of the House, the House shall continue to sit until midnight, on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, and Wednesday, October 7, 2026, provided that,

(a) on these sitting days, after 7 p.m., no quorum calls, dilatory motions or requests for unanimous consent shall be received by the Chair, except for a unanimous consent motion to see the clock; and

(b) on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, proceedings on any opposition motion pursuant to Standing Order 81 (16) shall be interrupted no later than 5:30 p.m. and all questions necessary to dispose of the said proceedings shall be put forthwith and successively without further debate or amendment.

[The Speaker, Francis Scarpaleggia]

All those opposed to the hon. member's moving the motion will please say nay.

There being no dissenting voice, it is agreed.

The House has heard the terms of the motion. All those opposed to the motion will please say nay.

(Motion agreed to)

Sergei Magnitsky International Anti-Corruption and Human Rights Act

[James Bezan, Conservative, Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman, MB]

Mr. Speaker, there have been discussions among all parties for the following unanimous consent motion:

That, notwithstanding any Standing Order or usual practice of the House, in relation to Bill C-219, An Act to amend the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Act, the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act (Sergei Magnitsky Law), the Special Economic Measures Act and the Broadcasting Act, as amended by the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development,

(a) Motions No. 1 and 2 , standing in the name of the Member for Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman on today's Notice Paper, be deemed adopted; and

(b) the bill be ordered to be reprinted, as further amended, for the use of the House at the report stage.

[The Speaker, Francis Scarpaleggia]

All those opposed to the hon. member's moving the motion will please say nay.

It is agreed.

The House has heard the terms of the motion. All those opposed to the motion will please say nay.

(Motion agreed to)