Debates of Oct. 8th, 2026

Opposition Motion—Affordability Crisis

[Sandra Cobena, Conservative, Newmarket—Aurora, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I will be sharing my time with the member for Montmorency—Charlevoix.

The Liberals have been in power for 11 years. Canadians are living through an affordability crisis and they deserve a government that acknowledges it. Whenever we stand up for Canadians who cannot afford their groceries or rent, the Liberals respond with a laundry list of programs. They tell us how much money they have announced, how many benefits they have created and how many Canadians are receiving this government assistance, but we have to stop and think. When the government will stop measuring success by how many Canadians need government assistance and start measuring it by how many no longer do?

Canadians want to get ahead. They want their hard work to mean something. They want to pay their bills and have something left to build a future. In Newmarket—Aurora, I hear from people who work hard and manage their money carefully. They budget, but they still cannot make ends meet. These Canadians are doing their part and asking why, after 11 years, the Liberal government is not doing its part.

I take particular pride in hearing from my constituents, not only at the doors, but through their responses to mailers, in emails, phone calls and text messages, and even when they stop me at events. I would like to take a moment to share their stories and concerns here today.

Patricia from Newmarket wrote to me and said Canadian salaries do not rise to meet the cost of living. She rarely buys beef and eats as economically as possible. She is already shopping carefully and choosing less food and less expensive food. How much more is she supposed to cut?

In the same light, Canadians have told me they pay taxes at every turn. They pay tax when they earn a paycheque, own something, buy something, fill the tank in their car and buy a drink, and they may even pay tax when they die, yet the Liberal government still cannot balance the budget. How much more does the government want from them? They are living within their means and do not understand why the Liberal government cannot live within its means.

I have another story that I would like to share. Mary Jane from Newmarket wrote to say she and her family and are struggling with rent costs and the price of food. The most recent statistic is that the bottom quartile of Canadians are spending 110% of their income on just shelter and basic necessities. These Canadians will not be able to get ahead. This short message from Mary Jane tells this House everything it needs to know. This is a family struggling with the costs of shelter and food. These are the basics. They are the things a household needs before it can even think about anything else.

That is why our opposition motion today asks this House to recognize exactly what Canadians are living. It is quite simple. It says:

(a) the Liberals have been in power for 11 years; and

(b) Canada is in an affordability crisis.

There are two lines and two simple facts.

Members do not have to agree on every policy to acknowledge that Canadians are struggling and that families cannot afford the essentials, but if the Liberal government cannot even acknowledge the problem, how can we expect it to fix it? The government must stop gaslighting Canadians and listen to them instead. These are their cries. There are endless stories of what Canadians are living through, and they must be at the heart of the decisions the Liberal government makes.

Joanna from Newmarket wrote to say she and her partner are struggling to stay afloat with their son in university, their mortgage and working overtime. They are both in their late fifties now and these are bad times. Two Canadians are working overtime and struggling to pay their mortgage because they are helping their child through university. Why has it become so difficult to stay afloat? These are people who have spent years working and contributing. They should be able to look ahead with some confidence. Instead, they are working more just to keep up.

A line I hear time and time again from Canadians is, “We are the working poor.” When a family works overtime and still cannot get ahead, the Liberal government should be asking some questions. What is making their life so expensive? How can we change that? What costs can we remove? What barriers can we reduce? What can we do to help their paycheques go further? Instead, we get another spending announcement with very little implementation and another laundry list of government programs.

Canadians keep making sacrifices. How much more can they really sacrifice when families are already struggling to cover rent and groceries? That is not normal. The Liberal government is asking them to be impressed by more announcements and more spending, but announcements do not pay Joanna's mortgage, for example. Their talking points do not put groceries in Mary Jane's kitchen.

We should judge the results by what Canadians can actually afford. Can they pay their rent? The answer is no. Can they buy groceries? They are cutting back. Can they save for an emergency? They cannot when the basics take 110% of what they make. Can they finish the month without taking on more debt? No.

An MNP report this week confirmed that 44% of Canadians are just $200 away from insolvency. Newmarket Today reported that York region food pantries have seen a rise of 57% since 2020 and that one in three who attend are children. There is a whole generation of children who are now watching their parents not have the dignity to provide for them. That is a failure.

Today, every member in this House has an opportunity to acknowledge what Canadians are telling us every day. Recognize that the Liberals have been in power for 11 years and recognize that Canada is in an affordability crisis. Canadians already know it because they are living it.

Let us listen to these families. Canadians are doing their part. It is time for the government to do its part so that a hard-earned paycheque can once again pay the bills.

[Mark Gerretsen, Liberal, Kingston and the Islands, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I find it interesting that the member was talking about the government questioning what it can do and how it can support Canadians. In her own riding, over $11 million was sent out to 22,901 recipients for the groceries and essentials benefit.

We can talk about a two-line motion that produces nothing, really, other than perhaps some social media opportunities for the Conservatives, or we can talk about something we could vote on that would actually improve the lives of her constituents.

When she had the opportunity to support the 22,901 recipients in her riding, she voted against it. Could she explain why?

[Sandra Cobena, Conservative, Newmarket—Aurora, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I think the member is missing the point. I wish the Liberals would listen.

The member, again, is saying to these families they should be happy they have this government program to depend on. He is not saying the government wants them to provide for themselves, it wants their hard work to mean something and it wants them to get back on their own two feet. He and the Liberals are telling them to be happy they depend on the government and to be happy the Liberals are there to fix a problem that they themselves created.

Canadians want the dignity to provide for themselves.

[Jeremy Patzer, Conservative, Swift Current—Grasslands—Kindersley, SK]

Mr. Speaker, one of the things we are trying to do here today is give the government an opportunity to admit that there is an affordability crisis. It is actually pretty simple. We cannot fix something if we are not willing to admit that there is a problem, so we are giving the government a chance to show some humility and understand and admit that there is an affordability problem.

The chief whip for the government got up and was talking about this bill that was passed, which is supposedly their big affordability measure, yet the government has actually done nothing to improve affordability for Canadians. Canadians do not want food stamps and cheques from the government. They want the ability for their own cheques to go further.

I was wondering whether my colleague shares those same thoughts and concerns.

[Sandra Cobena, Conservative, Newmarket—Aurora, ON]

Mr. Speaker, yes, I share those thoughts.

We are talking about an affordability crisis. The funny thing is that the country is in a massive deficit, but the Prime Minister has changed accounting definitions so that he can take a marker, cross off those expenses and label them as investments. Canadians do not have that luxury. Unfortunately, under the Liberal government, that luxury is reserved for the Liberal government only. Meanwhile, Canadians have real bills to pay and they cannot make them disappear.

This is an affordability crisis, and the Liberal government is refusing to recognize that.

[Kevin Lamoureux, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to put this as simply as I can. At the end of the day, we have a motion about affordability. Consistently, over the last 18 months, since Canadians went to the polls and elected a new government with a new Prime Minister, we have witnessed Conservative after Conservative stand up and vote against affordability measures to support our children, support our seniors and cut taxes. These are the types of things the Conservatives have been voting against.

They talk about affordability, but when it comes down to voting for good programs, they vote no. Why?

[Sandra Cobena, Conservative, Newmarket—Aurora, ON]

Mr. Speaker, there have been two questions from the Liberal benches and not once have the Liberals recognized that there is an affordability crisis, which is at the heart of the problem today.

The Liberals can get up and list all of the government programs, but what Canadians are saying, which the Liberals refuse to listen to after sharing hundreds of stories from Canadians, is they want to be able to provide for themselves. They want the government to get out of the way and stop the overspending so that they can provide for themselves and get ahead, and the Liberals are refusing to recognize that.

[Gabriel Hardy, Conservative, Montmorency—Charlevoix, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I ran a poll on social media a few months ago, asking people how things were going in their lives. I wanted to find out how they felt about the government's decisions and I asked them how they were doing, basically.

I have received 14,798 responses and 11,000 comments so far. Seven out of 10 comments talk about the cost of living and about how badly they are struggling. Eleven thousand people took the time to tell me about their concerns, their struggles and what they want to change.

This is not a scientific survey, but I still think it is important. These are people's real-life experiences. They shared their personal stories. One of them really stuck with me. A nursing assistant in Charlevoix wrote to me saying that she was at the end of her rope, that she has been working and taking care of others for 38 years. She explained to me that, these days, she can no longer even think about retiring. Her rent, groceries and gas account for three-quarters of her wages. This woman spent her life taking care of others. She has always worked and paid her taxes. She has contributed to our society. All she is asking for now is to be able to retire one day. After 38 years of service, she is not asking for luxuries. She just wants to be able to live, simply to live.

Unfortunately, her story is by no means the only one.

A couple told me that they have full-time jobs and work very hard, but still have to skip meals some days so that their children can eat.

A 22-year-old man wrote that he is working two full-time jobs. He wants to start his own business, but he had to drop out of school because he could not afford to pay rent and go to school at the same time. Think about that. Here is a young person who wants to work, wants to go to school and wants to become an entrepreneur. That is exactly what we need, but today's economic reality is forcing him to choose between building a future for himself and surviving in the present. The problem is not a lack of ambition; it is a lack of opportunity.

These people are not numbers on a spreadsheet. What I am sharing today is facts. These are ordinary people. They are neighbours, parents and young people. We hear the same thing whenever we meet them and everywhere we go, at businesses, on farms, around Montmorency—Charlevoix and across Quebec. They tell us one simple thing: Hard work no longer guarantees success. What we are seeing today is serious.

According to Statistics Canada, the consumer price index rose another 3% in August. The Liberals tell us not to worry because the inflation rate itself is falling. Unfortunately, that does not mean that food prices are going down or that people's income enables them to pay more. When families are already paying too much for groceries, knowing that prices are going up more slowly here than elsewhere in the world does not change the total bill or their ability to pay.

Our farmers are also feeling the pinch. When the price of diesel goes up, when machinery gets more expensive and when transportation costs more, farmers are not the only ones who pay. Transporters, processors and, ultimately, Canadian families all pay more.

Conservatives are proposing quick, concrete solutions that are within our control, but it seems that supporting families and farmers is not a priority for everyone in the House.

I will pause there.

Ron Schlegel

[Tim Louis, Liberal, Kitchener—Conestoga, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Ron Schlegel, whose passing leaves a profound loss for the Waterloo region and for communities across Canada.

Driven by a deep Mennonite faith and a commitment to helping others, Ron devoted his life to building stronger, more caring communities. Through Schlegel Villages, the Research Institute for Aging and the elder wisdom program, he transformed the way we care for seniors and improved countless lives, while also making lasting contributions to mental health, research, and community development.

Ron helped establish the University of Waterloo's School of Public Health Sciences and was awarded the Order of Canada, the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal and honorary doctorates from several Canadian universities. However, those who knew Ron remember not the awards, but his humility, kindness and genuine interest in people. He always focused on improving the lives of others.

On behalf of the people of Kitchener—Conestoga, I extend my sincere condolences to his family and loved ones. Ron's legacy of service, compassion and community building will endure for generations. He will be missed.

Employment

[Burton Bailey, Conservative, Red Deer, AB]

Mr. Speaker, 52 Albertans fear for their jobs because the Liberal government is failing Canadian businesses thanks to rising costs they are struggling to absorb. Technalogix is a 37-year-old Red Deer manufacturer of broadcasting and radar technology. It is getting squeezed by policies that hurt Canadian businesses. Added costs of up to 60% are already making Canadian-built equipment far less competitive. Technalogix is paying more for everything. It wrote to the finance minister about this and has not heard anything yet.

Families are already dealing with an affordability crisis. When local employers are forced to cut jobs, that hardship lands directly on household budgets. The government must act now and end policies that raise the price of Canadian production. Skilled Red Deer jobs and other Canadian-owned businesses are at risk. They need a level playing field and a fair chance to keep their jobs.

Norwood Fall Fair

[Emma Harrison, Liberal, Peterborough, ON]

Mr. Speaker, this Thanksgiving weekend, I am proud to recognize the Norwood Fall Fair, a cherished tradition that has brought our community together since 1868.

For generations, the fair has celebrated the hard work, talents and community spirit at the heart of rural Ontario. Through its agriculture exhibits, livestock competitions, homecraft displays, local entertainment and parade, it offers a warm reminder of all that makes our region so special.

This beloved tradition continues because of the dedication and generosity of the volunteers, organizers, exhibitors, sponsors and families who give their time and care throughout the year. To everyone who helps make the fair possible, I thank them for the unwavering commitment, pride and kindness they bring to our community.

I warmly invite everyone to join us this weekend in Norwood. May it become a time to reconnect with neighbours, honour our agricultural heritage and create lasting memories together. I wish everyone a happy Thanksgiving and a wonderful Norwood Fall Fair.

Proposed Toronto Homeless Shelter

[Roman Baber, Conservative, York Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, Toronto is building a shelter that will act as an injection site at Keele and Wilson. It will be located between the St. Theresa's Day Care Centre and the Pierre Laporte Middle School. The shelter will hand out needles and have a safe room where anyone can inject.

We already have the Toronto plaza shelter one intersection west. It turned Jane and Wilson into a hub for drugs, crime and chaos. Now Toronto wants to turn Keele and Wilson into Jane and Wilson, but we do not want a drug den between our two schools.

It is a good thing the Province of Ontario can end this madness with an order or a slight expansion of the Safer Streets, Stronger Communities Act. It prohibits consumption sites within 200 metres of schools. The premier already blocked construction of a similar shelter in St. Catharines, and the site did not even have any schools nearby.

Today, I call on MPP Kerzner and Premier Doug Ford to stand up for Downsview. I ask them to save our children from the needles on their school playgrounds, and block the construction of the shelter at 1220 Wilson Avenue.

Latin American and Hispanic Day on the Hill

[Peter Schiefke, Liberal, Vaudreuil, QC]

Mr. Speaker,

[Member spoke in Spanish]

[English]

For the 10th consecutive year, we are celebrating the contributions of the 1.7 million Spanish-speaking Canadians who enrich and help build our community from coast to coast to coast. In the presence of hundreds of Canadians of Latin American descent who have travelled to Ottawa to join us in Parliament, today is a wonderful opportunity to discover the richness of Latin American and Hispanic cultures and strengthen the bonds that bring us together. Of course, it is also a chance to enjoy incredible music, performances and delicious food.

I would like to thank His Excellency Carlos Arturo Morales López, Ambassador of the Republic of Colombia, and His Excellency Alfredo Martínez Serrano, Ambassador of Spain, for their contributions to this event.

I invite my colleagues and friends to join us in celebrating this day and making the most of this wonderful occasion. I hope everyone enjoys the celebration.

New Travel Routes in London

[Kurt Holman, Conservative, London—Fanshawe, ON]

Mr. Speaker, this week brought some very exciting news for London and southwestern Ontario. Porter Airlines announced five new year-round routes from London International Airport, connecting our community directly to Vancouver, Edmonton, Ottawa, Montreal and Halifax beginning next spring. For Londoners, that means more choices, better opportunities and better connections across our country. These new routes will make it easier for families to stay connected, for businesses to reach new markets and for visitors from across Canada to come and experience everything our region has to offer. London is a major Canadian city, and our region deserves the kind of connectivity that reflects that.

On behalf of the people of southwestern Ontario, I thank the teams at Porter and London International Airport who helped make this expansion possible. This is great news for London, and I look forward to seeing these new routes take flight.

ParticipACTION Community Challenge

[Steeve Lavoie, Liberal, Beauport—Limoilou, QC]

Mr. Speaker, last June, municipalities, schools and organizations from across the country came together to take part in the ParticipACTION community challenge to encourage Canadians to be more physically active and to make sport more accessible and inclusive.

This year, Quebec City stood out and won the title of Canada's most active community. This recognition speaks to the incredible commitment of our volunteers and citizens, who help make physical activity an integral part of life in Quebec City. In addition, this victory means that the community will receive $100,000 to support local sports and physical activity initiatives.

On behalf of all members of the House from the greater Quebec City area, I want to congratulate everyone who played a part in this great achievement, of which we can all be very proud.

Ken Krawetz

[Warren Steinley, Conservative, Regina—Lewvan, SK]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart. Ken Krawetz, one of the Saskatchewan Party's founding members, passed away, and his life is being celebrated in Yorkton today.

Born and raised in the Invermay area, he was first elected to the provincial legislature in 1995. Krawetz would later be an integral piece in forming the new Saskatchewan Party and changing the political landscape in Saskatchewan forever. In 2007, Ken served as deputy premier under Brad Wall and held the portfolios of education and finance.

As much as Ken loved his province, he loved his family that much more. To his wife Gail, son Bryce, daughter Lindsay, and the two loves of his life, his granddaughters Willow and Scarlett, I thank them so much for sharing Ken with us. He was a man of character and integrity and led with his whole heart.

Ken and I served together with former premier Brad Wall. Brad always said that the goal of politicians should be to leave things better than they found them. Ken took these words to heart. Saskatchewan is a better place to live now because of the service of Ken Krawetz.

Wieczna pamięć.

Anne-Claire Poirier

[Martin Champoux, Bloc, Drummond, QC]

Mr. Speaker, can cinema help advance society? Can art be a real driver of social progress and collective development?

Anne‑Claire Poirier, who passed away recently, is unequivocal proof that the answer to these questions is “yes”. Her work is irrefutable proof of the impact cinema has on social progress. She was a pioneer of feminist filmmaking, and her films forced us to confront head-on issues that have transformed Quebec society. These include the erasure of women from history, the challenges of pregnancy, abortion, rape, prostitution, addiction and homosexuality. Her films included titles like Mourir à tue-tête and Tu as crié LET ME GO. Her unflinching films sent a shockwave through Quebec and sparked real debates that helped move our nation forward. We owe her an extraordinary debt of gratitude, and her legacy continues to shape who we are today.

I offer my deepest condolences to her family and loved ones.

To this incredible woman, I say, “Thank you. The Quebec nation is grateful.”

Latin American and Hispanic Day on the Hill

[Judy Sgro, Liberal, Humber River—Black Creek, ON]

Mr. Speaker, today I am proud to join my colleagues, ambassadors, community leaders and friends in celebrating the 10th Annual Latin American and Hispanic Day on the Hill. This special occasion recognizes the extraordinary contributions of more than 1.7 million Spanish-speaking Canadians, many of Latin American and Hispanic heritage, who help to strengthen our communities and our country every day.

This year's theme is community, and I can think of no better way to describe the spirit of this event. For 10 years, it has brought Canadians together to celebrate culture, foster connections and build understanding.

I wish everyone celebrating today a wonderful Latin American Heritage Month.

Alberta Referendum

[David McKenzie, Conservative, Calgary Signal Hill, AB]

Mr. Speaker, on October 19, the citizens of Alberta will vote on the question of Alberta pursuing separation from Canada. Unequivocally, I urge Albertans to reject separation as the path forward for our province.

Without question, the Liberal government in Ottawa has worked against our province over the last 10 years, and those actions have led some to believe that separation is the only answer. I disagree. I urge Albertans to put their energies and their votes into making our Confederation work in the way that it was designed to work. The federal government must respect the division of powers in our Constitution and ensure that provinces are unfettered in their areas of authority.

To my fellow Albertans, yes, Canada is imperfect, but our shared history, our culture, our hopes and our dreams are worth working on and fighting for together. On October 19, I will be voting to ensure a stronger Alberta and a united Canada. Please join me.

Firefighters' National Memorial Day

[Maggie Chi, Liberal, Don Valley North, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Firefighters' National Memorial Day, which falls yearly on the second Sunday of September. Across Canada, more than 1,000 firefighters have died in the line of duty, including 367 Toronto firefighters. They shall not be forgotten.

Last week, I had the honour of attending the annual memorial ceremony hosted by Toronto Fire Services and the Toronto Professional Fire Fighters Association, honouring the 14 fallen firefighters whose names were added to the memorial honour roll.

I want to take this occasion to acknowledge the dedicated women and men in the fire stations across Don Valley North, who I had the pleasure of partnering with throughout the summer. I thank them and firefighters across Canada for their professionalism and their commitment to keeping us safe. Every day, they stand ready to run into danger to save lives and livelihoods. We owe firefighters and their families an enduring debt of gratitude. We thank them for their service and unwavering dedication to safeguarding Canadians across the country.

Alberta Referendum

[Billy Morin, Conservative, Edmonton Northwest, AB]

Mr. Speaker, Canada is a family. Families share, support and succeed with each other. Families also have conflict and fight. Families often fail because one member of the family does not feel heard. Too many Albertans are frustrated, not with the country of Canada but with the federal government, an important distinction.

As a person who lives under too much government control via the Indian Act, I empathize with this. One hundred and fifty years ago, before Alberta became a province, Treaty 6 promised Canadians and first peoples a timeless agreement to respectfully walk alongside each other, to share land and resources, and to thrive together. Canada's own Constitution is based on the principle that power should reside closest to the people.

Governments should respect individuals, communities and provinces' autonomy. It is time to remember and lead with first principles, when our ancestors locked arms to sign a treaty to make a Constitution and create a country. On October 19, it is time for all first peoples and Albertans to vote for a stronger Alberta and a united Canada.

Mouvement d'implication francophone à Orléans

[Marie-France Lalonde, Liberal, Orléans, ON]

Mr. Speaker, last Friday, I had the pleasure of visiting the new facilities of the Mouvement d'implication francophone à Orléans, or MIFO, which will open its doors in the fall of 2027. This visit gave me an opportunity to see the scope and potential of this major project, which will become the largest francophone cultural centre in eastern Ontario. MIFO will house a gymnasium, a performance venue, an art gallery and a whole host of spaces for gathering, creating and celebrating.

Our government is proud to support this project with a $36‑million investment that will benefit the francophone and francophile community of Orléans. Today, I am also pleased to welcome to Parliament a delegation from the Orléans Wichita New Orleans association, along with the Société franco-ontarienne du patrimoine et de l'histoire d'Orléans. Their mission is simple: to bring the two Orleans closer together across the Atlantic and celebrate everything that unites us.

I welcome our dear cousins to Ottawa.

Alberta Referendum

[Dane Lloyd, Conservative, Parkland, AB]

Mr. Speaker, on October 19, my fellow Albertans will vote on whether Alberta should remain united with our great country or go down the uncertain path of separation. Our country has challenges, but I would choose our country over any other, any time. Former prime minister Harper once said, “Canada is, and always has been, our country.”

We want Canada to be a true north that is as strong and as free as it can be in every way that matters, the best country in the world. My fellow Conservatives and I believe in this vision. That is why we serve. That is why Conservatives are fighting for a stronger Alberta within a united Canada, an Alberta that can reach its full potential without being held back by Ottawa. I urge my fellow Albertans to heed this call.

Let us be a true north that is as strong and as free as it can be. May God bless our country. Long live Canada.

Latin American and Hispanic Day on the Hill

[Will Greaves, Liberal, Victoria, BC]

Mr. Speaker, today, on the 10th annual Latin American and Hispanic Day on the Hill, I rise to recognize the millions of Canadians of Latin American and Hispanic heritage from coast to coast to coast. From music and the arts to public service to professional sports, Latin American Canadians make vital contributions to our communities every single day. As co-chair of the Canada-Dominican Republic parliamentary friendship group, I wish to specifically recognize the long-standing relationship between our two countries.

As the second most populous country in the Caribbean, the Dominican Republic has been a key regional partner for Canada for more than 70 years on issues including trade, tourism, investment and a shared commitment to democracy and open markets. That is why later this month, we will have the privilege to welcome to Ottawa His Excellency, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Dominican Republic. This visit promises to further strengthen the partnership between our two countries.

This October, I wish the Dominican Canadian community and all Latin American Canadians a meaningful and happy Latin American—

[The Speaker, Francis Scarpaleggia]

There was a problem with the visual for an earlier S. O. 31.

The hon. member for Kitchener—Conestoga.