Debates of Oct. 7th, 2026

Correctional Service of Canada

[Gary Anandasangaree, Liberal, Minister of Public Safety]

Mr. Speaker, Canada has one of the safest correctional facilities anywhere in the world. Our frontline officers work hard day in and day out to protect Canadians. The allegations that this gentleman is making are quite out of line.

I will say that each and every day we will continue to support Canadians. Their safety and security is paramount to us. The conditions of correctional facilities, including those of these hard-working men and women, are also super important to us, and we will always be there to defend them.

Public Services and Procurement

[Greg Fergus, Liberal, Hull—Aylmer, QC]

Mr. Speaker, since the launch of the Defence Investment Agency, we have taken an unprecedented step. Among other things, we announced our plans to acquire six GlobalEye aircraft and a nearly $2‑billion partnership between General Dynamics Land Systems and Canada for 190 armoured vehicles.

How will Bill C‑40 support this progress?

[Joël Lightbound, Liberal, Minister of Government Transformation]

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from Hull—Aylmer for his question.

In a world that is more divided and dangerous than ever, it is truly vital to give the Canadian Armed Forces the equipment they need to protect us. This has to happen quickly.

That is why I am so proud that we introduced Bill C‑40, the strengthening Canada's defence sector act, to bring procurement and investment together. The goal is to act more quickly, ensure that there are economic benefits for Canadians and have more direct, modern business practices. That is what we need to help strengthen our domestic production, meet the needs of the armed forces and support good jobs across the country.

[Michael Guglielmin, Conservative, Vaughan—Woodbridge, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister promised to build Canadian and buy Canadian. Now, LNG Canada phase two is a massive private sector investment, but the inputs for the facility portion are not coming from Canada. Canadian steel fabricators say that they have the capacity to supply significant portions of this project, but they were not consulted.

Before billions of dollars of fabrication went overseas, did anyone in the Liberal government actually ask Canadian industry stakeholders what they could build here at home?

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

Mr. Speaker, the modules that he is referring to are not made in Canada because there is no steel that can make those modules in Canada. All of the steel, the 15,000 tonnes that are going to go with the pipeline, is going to be made in Canada, along with the 6,100 jobs and the $50 billion in royalties for Canada. Instead of talking down a project that builds Canada, maybe they should support us in helping to build Canada.

[Michael Guglielmin, Conservative, Vaughan—Woodbridge, ON]

Mr. Speaker, that was not the question. Canadian steel and pipelines do not answer why Canadian companies were not consulted about the fabrication of the LNG facility itself. It is out of touch to point to steel used somewhere else in the project while ignoring Canadian fabricators who say that they can have a substantial portion of this work completed here in Canada. The Prime Minister talks about “buy Canadian”, but Canadian companies apparently were not even consulted.

Therefore, who determined Canadian industry could not complete the work? Was it LNG Canada, the Liberal government or nobody because no one even bothered to ask?

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

Mr. Speaker, those are nice comments, but they are completely inaccurate. We actually talked to people at the steel companies, and they said they cannot service those orders. They asked us to make sure the rest of the steel was bought in Canada, and it will be bought in Canada.

The Conservatives are talking down projects that create 6,100 jobs. They are talking down a project that creates $50 billion to pay for health care, to pay for dental care, to pay for schools and roads. Why do you not stop talking down Canada, and start trying to—

[The Speaker, Francis Scarpaleggia]

Speak through the Chair, please. I want to remind members to always go through the Chair.

The hon. member for Hamilton East—Stoney Creek.

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

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister tells Canadians to buy Canadian, but government contracts to American companies have increased by 50% since he took office. Now, LNG Canada plans to use foreign steel for its expansion, while Canadian steel companies say they can do the work. Canadian steelworkers need jobs. The Liberals give slogans, all talk and no results. Conservatives are fighting for lumber workers. Conservatives are fighting for auto workers. Conservatives will continue to fight for the steelworkers of Canada. When will this Prime Minister?

[The Speaker, Francis Scarpaleggia]

I just want to highlight again that when we bang on a desk, it can hurt the ears of the interpreter. I have done it. I will admit that in the past I have gotten passionate giving speeches and I banged my desk and I was told what the consequence could be. Let us be careful about that.

The hon. Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation.

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

Mr. Speaker, instead of talking down the country and instead of talking down projects, they have to build it up. This pipeline is going to provide tens of thousands of jobs and Canadian steel. We are talking about supporting jobs in Hamilton in steel.

Why do the hon. members not support Hooper Welding in Hamilton, which employs 100 people? They are making steel. In Peterborough, Kawartha Metals employs 60 people. They are supplying metal. In Windsor, there is Central Stampings.

We are supporting the companies making steel because we believe in building in Canada, buying in Canada and believing in Canada.

Seniors

[Juanita Nathan, Liberal, Pickering—Brooklin, ON]

Mr. Speaker, on October 1, we marked National Seniors Day, an opportunity to celebrate older Canadians and recognize the tremendous contributions they make to Canada and our communities. Can the Secretary of State for Seniors tell the House how the federal government is supporting older Canadians so they can age with dignity?

[Stephanie McLean, Liberal, Secretary of State (Seniors)]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for her hard work and for being a strong and consistent advocate for seniors across Canada.

In the more than a year that I have been serving in this position as Secretary of State for Seniors, I have had the privilege of meeting inspiring seniors across this country and I have learned about the challenges and opportunities that come with aging. From the $50 million of investments every year through the new horizons for seniors program to the groceries and essentials tax benefit to delivering Canada's national anti-fraud strategy, our government is committed to helping seniors live healthy, active and happy lives.

Justice

[Tamara Jansen, Conservative, Cloverdale—Langley City, BC]

Mr. Speaker, today the Liberals are taking a cynical gamble with vulnerable Canadians' lives, asking Parliament to reject Bill C-218 for a phantom bill that has not even been written. They are playing political games at a time when lives are in the balance.

The study was done. The broad consensus is there. The bill is tabled. Every minute we waste on an unwritten bill brings us closer to the deadline. Rejecting protection already before Parliament is reckless, and Canadians could pay with their lives.

Will the Liberals do the right thing, work with us and support Bill C-218 today?

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

Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for her work to advance an important conversation when it comes to mental illness as the sole underlying mental condition that would justify medical assistance in dying in this country. This is a serious conversation.

However, I would like to point out one inaccuracy in her question that is very important. Today, there is no access to medical assistance in dying because it is excluded in the Criminal Code. Before that exclusion expires in March next year, we will advance and adopt legislation to, in an indeterminate way, continue the exclusion of access to medical assistance in dying when it comes to mental illness as the sole condition that would justify its use.

Labour

[Don Davies, NDP, Vancouver Kingsway, BC]

Mr. Speaker, two blocks from this chamber, the Bank of Canada's security officers have been on strike for over three months. Shockingly, the bank has twice been caught breaking federal anti-scab laws. It even brought in Pinkerton, a contractor with a notorious history of violent strikebreaking.

The Prime Minister built his reputation as the governor of the Bank of Canada. He is now silent while it repeatedly violates workers' rights.

The Prime Minister claims to defend Canadian workers. Why will he not stand up for these workers and condemn this corporate law-breaking?

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

Mr. Speaker, Bill C-58, which came into force on June 20, 2025, amended the Canada Labour Code by prohibiting the use of replacement workers during a strike. We expect all federally regulated employers, including Crown corporations, to abide by labour standards as set out in the Labour Code.

If a union or an employee believes an employer is illegally using replacement workers, they can file a complaint with the Canada Industrial Relations Board. I will note that the CIRB is an independent, quasi-judicial body and tribunal. Any complaints made to the CIRB will be dealt with as the CIRB deems appropriate.

Presence in the Gallery

[The Speaker, Francis Scarpaleggia]

I wish to draw the attention of members to the presence in the gallery of the hon. Eric Schmalz, Minister of Government Relations, Minister of Immigration and Career Training and Minister Responsible for First Nations, Métis and Northern Affairs for the Province of Saskatchewan.

[Some hon. members]

Hear, hear!

The House resumed from October 5 consideration of the motion.

Health

[The Speaker, Francis Scarpaleggia]

It being 3:19 p.m., the House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded division on the motion to concur in the fifth report of the Standing Committee on Health.

Call in the members.

(The House divided on the motion, which was agreed to on the following division:)

Vote #175

Committees of the House

[The Speaker, Francis Scarpaleggia]

I declare the motion carried.

The House resumed from October 6 consideration of the motion.

Opposition Motion—Diesel Prices

[The Speaker, Francis Scarpaleggia]

The House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded division on the motion of the member for Long Range Mountains relating to the business of supply.

The questions is as follows. Shall I dispense?