Debates of Oct. 5th, 2026

Justice

[Pierre Paul-Hus, Conservative, Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC]

Mr. Speaker, first of all, the minister should acknowledge that the Liberals are the ones who created the problem we are currently experiencing. They are the ones who introduced the laws that have led to these issues with crime.

Today, we are seeing crimes becoming more brazen, with car thefts happening in broad daylight, jewellery store robberies being carried out with axes, shootings, armed home invasions, and offences committed by individuals who are already subject to legal conditions. The Liberals are all talk, but we could be moving faster.

Will the Liberals agree to adopt our Conservative proposals and our plan to keep Canadians safe?

[Sean Fraser, Liberal, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to admit that it was this side of the House that adopted laws that actually made stronger penalties be put in place for serious crimes. Those laws were developed in collaboration with law enforcement, the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police. Every regional police organization not only fed into the process but endorsed the measures that we implemented after the fact.

The hon. member is not correct. As a matter of fact, while he says that crime is somehow increasing, the stats show, nationally and in virtually every region of this country, that crime, including auto theft, is coming down.

We are going to put forward a plan that is based on science, facts and evidence. We will incorporate the perspective of those who—

[The Speaker, Francis Scarpaleggia]

The hon. member for Brampton Centre.

The Economy

[Amandeep Sodhi, Liberal, Brampton Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the world economy has been disrupted by rising protectionism, global conflicts and a reshaping of the international order. As a result, the cost of living for Canadians has taken a hit. In response, we are focusing on what we can control, by putting money back into their pockets.

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, my constituents want to know what steps the government has taken to make their lives more affordable.

[Wayne Long, Liberal, Secretary of State (Canada Revenue Agency and Financial Institutions)]

Mr. Speaker, that was a great question.

From the middle-class tax cut to the pause in the excise fuel tax, we are delivering affordability for Canadians. Today, millions of Canadians are going to receive the groceries and essentials benefit, meaning up to $170 for an individual and up to $340 for a family of four. That will bring 77,000 Canadians out of poverty.

On this side of the House, we are going to focus on affordability for Canadians. The other side can continue with the rhetoric.

Steel and Aluminum Industry

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

Mr. Speaker, there was devastating news last week. Chris, a Stelco employee, called me to say that he and 350 of his fellow union Local 1005 steelworkers are out of a job. This is the human cost of the Prime Minister's failed attempts to get a tariff deal, the same deal he promised Canadians over a year and a half ago. Now the tariffs are still here, bigger than before, and Hamilton steelworkers are paying the price.

When will the Prime Minister turn rhetoric into reality to protect Canadian jobs and Hamilton workers?

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

Mr. Speaker, we know that the news at Stelco was a gut punch to the workers, their families and the entire community of Hamilton, and our government stands with them.

I had personal conversations with the owner of Stelco, Lourenco Goncalves, who owns Cleveland-Cliffs. We offered the company support, and notwithstanding the fact that we were at the table until the last minute, it decided to turn it down. Now we know also that the CEO of Cleveland-Cliffs has been in favour of tariffs against steelworkers—

[The Speaker, Francis Scarpaleggia]

The hon. member for Hamilton East—Stoney Creek.

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

Mr. Speaker, the Liberals have talked about holding the company accountable, but I am going to do my job and hold the government accountable. The Prime Minister's duty is to keep Canada in a competitive business climate, but he has failed. I have stood in the House multiple times to warn the Prime Minister this was coming. The out-of-touch Liberals need to understand we cannot build without protecting the people who actually build Canada. With the Prime Minister, it is all talk and no results.

Again, how many more families must lose their livelihood before the Prime Minister protects Canadian—

[The Speaker, Francis Scarpaleggia]

The hon. Minister of Industry.

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

Mr. Speaker, we have been there for steelworkers and will continue to be, and we will work together, along with the member, because we believe in Stelco and its workers. That being said, at the same time, Cleveland-Cliffs and Stelco have obligations under the Investment Canada Act, and we will make sure that we use the full force of the law.

[Ellis Ross, Conservative, Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the reannouncement of LNG Canada phase two is old news, but we now know that steel being used for that project is from China. The Prime Minister promised Canadians he would buy Canadian and use Canadian-made steel for major projects. Instead, he is allowing companies to use foreign steel while Canadian steelworkers are facing layoffs.

We have seen the government buy American, and now we are seeing it buy Chinese. When is it time to buy Canadian?

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

Mr. Speaker, maybe it is time for the Conservatives to get behind 6,000 new jobs in Canada for LNG Canada. Maybe it is time for them to get behind 180,000 new jobs for the Pacific link pipeline. Maybe it is time for them to get behind 2,000 new jobs for the Sunrise pipeline. How about getting on team Canada?

[Ellis Ross, Conservative, Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC]

Mr. Speaker, 350 Canadian steelworkers are losing their job at Stelco, all while the government knew and allowed LNG Canada phase two to use Chinese steel. The Liberal government granted a remission order on anti-dumping duties in phase one, so it cannot claim ignorance.

Why did the Liberals not fight for Canadian-made steel, for Canadian jobs and for Canadian businesses?

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

Mr. Speaker, when we look at the type of steel that is made at Stelco, we see that it is for the auto sector right now. It is almost always sent to the U.S. The type of steel at Stelco needs to be changed, and we need to build the type of steel for Canada. That is exactly what we are doing elsewhere in the country. There are 200 new jobs at Tenaris in Sault Ste. Marie, building steel for pipelines, and it is exactly because of our plan that it is hiring.

Agriculture and Agri-Food

[Rachael Thomas, Conservative, Lethbridge, AB]

Mr. Speaker, farmers in my community are worried about the increasing cost of diesel. Now, many are spending thousands of dollars every single day just to keep their operations running. One farmer put it very plainly. He said that when fuel prices rise, so do grocery prices for every single Canadian.

For 11 years, Liberal policies have driven up the cost of fuel and made life more expensive for Canadian families. Tomorrow, Conservatives will put forward a common-sense motion calling on the House to adopt our emergency fuel relief plan. The question is very simple. Will the government vote in favour of Canadians and vote in favour of saving them money?

[Heath MacDonald, Liberal, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food]

Mr. Speaker, members of the chamber are well aware today that this is a global issue. It is caused by a geopolitical situation. Farmers are on the front line, and we sympathize with them. That is why we brought in the reduction of the excise tax. That is why we are seeing all the countries around the world working together to reduce the cost of diesel. We will continue to work with our farmers. We will continue to support them through programs, and we appreciate everything they do.

[Rachael Thomas, Conservative, Lethbridge, AB]

Mr. Speaker, it is clear that the Liberals are completely out of touch, because the cost of diesel in Canada is far more than the cost of diesel in the United States of America, which has been equally impacted by global markets. That argument just does not work. At the end of the day, farmers have a job to do, and it is to produce food, but that means being able to take the crop off the field, and it means being able to get commodity to market and ultimately to get food on store shelves. That all takes money because of diesel costs. At the end of the day, it is the consumer who pays those costs. It is Canadian families.

We as Conservatives have a plan. We are putting it on the table. We are bringing it forward tomorrow. We would love to work with the government on it. Will it vote yes—

[The Speaker, Francis Scarpaleggia]

The hon. Minister of the Environment.

[Julie Dabrusin, Liberal, Minister of the Environment]

Mr. Speaker, seeing as the member opposite is from Alberta, she would be very excited and would want to support projects like Imperial Strathcona, creating renewable diesel right here at home using Canadian canola from Alberta. Fifty per cent of canola from Alberta would go toward the feedstock for the renewable diesel at Imperial Strathcona.

I will ask her this question: Will she continue to support the CFRs and continue to take action so that we can make renewable diesel here at home?

The Economy

[Dominique Vien, Conservative, Bellechasse—Les Etchemins—Lévis, QC]

Mr. Speaker, one farmer is sounding the alarm: Rising diesel prices are forcing him to pay an extra $2,000 a day to run his equipment. When our business owners pay more because of Liberal taxes, families everywhere feel the pinch at the grocery store. Everyone knows that. Canada has the fourth-largest oil reserves in the world, yet Canadians pay more per litre of diesel than the global average.

Will the Liberals adopt our emergency plan to bring down prices at the pump?

[Joël Lightbound, Liberal, Minister of Government Transformation]

Mr. Speaker, we have suspended the excise tax on gasoline to bring down prices at the pump. We have cut taxes for 22 million Canadians. My colleague voted against that. We increased the Canada child benefit, which helps millions of children across the country. The same applies to the Canadian dental care plan.

I am pleased to tell my colleague that today, the Canada groceries and essentials benefit is being paid into the bank accounts of hundreds of thousands of Quebeckers, including people in her constituency. I would also point out that, yes, affordability is important to us, but so is creating good jobs. She need only look to the Davie shipyard, where 5,000 good jobs are being created in her constituency.

Steel and Aluminum Industry

[Jason Groleau, Conservative, Beauce, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the Liberal Prime Minister failed in the trade talks with the Americans. The Liberals have completely abandoned Canada's steel industry. Today, steel is being hit with tariffs of up to 100%. In Beauce alone, that represents over 3,000 jobs that are at risk. Just ask the 350 Stelco employees who lost their jobs. We are talking about 350 jobs that have been lost. That is the result of Liberal inaction. Steel workers and their families are worried.

When will the Prime Minister reassure them by taking action rather than making empty promises?

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

Mr. Speaker, we are taking action. We are in contact with several companies in my colleague's riding of Beauce, including Canam, because we believe it is important to support our businesses. We have a wide range of support programs for businesses and we have already provided funding to various businesses. In the meantime, we have changed our procurement policies to say that domestically sourced steel must be used in all of our defence contracts and in all the support we provide to various companies, whether in the auto or aerospace sectors.

[Jason Groleau, Conservative, Beauce, QC]

Mr. Speaker, businesses in the Beauce region have nothing to learn from Liberal ministers. The only thing more costly than a tariff is a Liberal minister who thinks they know more about business than entrepreneurs do. That is what is really costly. While they do nothing more than talk, operating costs are skyrocketing. Take Structure SBL, for example, which is facing an additional $4 million in costs. Camnor is facing an additional $1.5 million in costs per month.

Conservatives want to help companies save money. Why are the Liberals doing the opposite?