Debates of Oct. 8th, 2026

Latin American and Hispanic Day on the Hill

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

Mr. Speaker, today I rise 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 multiple Canadian universities. 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 the family and loved ones of Ron. His legacy of service, compassion and community building will endure for generations. Ron will be missed.

Finance

[John Brassard, Conservative, Barrie South—Innisfil, ON]

Mr. Speaker, in another convenient example of public policy aligning with Brookfield's strategy of tax dollars being used to limit private risk and profit, the Prime Minister announced a $2-billion heat pump rebate program today.

Let us play a game. Trane, which is owned by Brookfield, finances and installs heat pumps. Enercare is owned by Brookfield, and it finances and installs heat pumps. The conflict of interest is so blatantly obvious, but what is surprising is the Prime Minister is not even hiding it anymore.

How much do the Prime Minister and Brookfield stand to make off the backs of taxpayers?

[Steven MacKinnon, Liberal, Minister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, I know we will get to these matters further in question period today, but I do want to join with, I am sure, all of my colleagues around the House in congratulating Anne—

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[The Speaker, Francis Scarpaleggia]

We must keep the noise to an acceptable level in the interest of the interpreters, who can damage their hearing if there is too much ambient noise.

I will ask the government House leader to start from the top.

[Steven MacKinnon, Liberal, Gatineau, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I know we will get to many questions today, but I do want to extend the greetings and the congratulations of the entire House. It does not happen every day that Canada welcomes a brand new Nobel laureate, this time in literature.

We congratulate Anne Carson of Toronto, a proud graduate of the University of Toronto, author of over 20 books, a 2005 member of the Order of Canada and a collaborator with the Rheostatics.

I want to congratulate Anne Carson, winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature.

[John Brassard, Conservative, Barrie South—Innisfil, ON]

Mr. Speaker, it is not surprising that he does not want to answer these questions, but maybe he will answer this one.

The Prime Minister knows exactly what is in his portfolio. Trane heat pumps and Enercare are owned by Brookfield. He stands to make millions in deferred stock units, stock options and carried interest. Today's $2-billion taxpayer-funded announcement increases the value of his personal assets and Brookfield's.

I ask again, how much do the Prime Minister and Brookfield stand to make off the backs of taxpayers with today's announcement? Maybe he will answer this question: How is that not corrupt?

[Nathalie Provost, Liberal, Secretary of State (Nature)]

Mr. Speaker, our government is focused on addressing affordability for Canadians. That is right. Today, the Prime Minister announced that we will provide $2 billion for the national heat pump rebate, which will deliver one million home retrofits across Canada. This will save families up to $1,400 per year. We will continue to put forward measures that address the affordability challenges Canadians are facing, while lowering emissions at the same time—

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[Marie-Hélène Gaudreau, Bloc, Laurentides—Labelle, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. I find it appalling that I cannot hear what my colleague is saying. It is inaudible. It is far too noisy.

[The Speaker, Francis Scarpaleggia]

Noted.

The hon. member for Calgary East.

The Economy

[Jasraj Singh Hallan, Conservative, Calgary East, AB]

Mr. Speaker, everyone remembers when the finance minister put on a grand show three years ago. He said that he would haul in all the grocery store CEOs, give them a piece of his mind and stabilize grocery prices by Thanksgiving. He just forgot to mention which Thanksgiving. Four Thanksgivings later, the cost of turkey is up 10%, with record food bank usage.

He proved that Liberals are all talk and no results. Will the guy who said that he just got here stand up and admit that, after 11 years of his incompetent Liberal government, they have plunged Canada into an affordability crisis?

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

Mr. Speaker, as we know, affordability is top of mind for this government and Canadians, and I have good news, if the Conservatives want to listen.

Today, the Prime Minister just announced a landmark investment to retrofit one million homes, which will cut energy costs and emissions in this country. We should all applaud. This is a great measure.

This is on top of our measures for housing, on top of our measures for food and on top of the measures we have taken to stabilize the prices in this country. We will continue to fight for Canadians. Every day is a good day to fight for Canadians.

[Jasraj Singh Hallan, Conservative, Calgary East, AB]

Mr. Speaker, not a single one of the things that he listed is going to take a single person out of the food bank lineups that are at record usage. Food bank lineups are getting longer. In fact, since 2019, under these guys, food bank lineups have doubled. Now we find out that one in three food banks is actually turning people away because they do not have food or resources to keep up with the demand.

That is the Liberal record. Today, Conservatives have put forward a motion in this House for the incompetent Liberal government to finally admit that, after 11 years of its failed policies, Canada is in an affordability crisis.

Will the Liberals vote in favour of it, yes or no?

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

Mr. Speaker, let me list what is Canada's record and the government's record. The Canada child benefit is our record. The national school food program is our record. The Canada disability benefit is our record. The Canada groceries and essentials benefit is our record. The early learning and child care system is our record. The Canada workers benefit is our record.

At every step of the way, we have fought for Canadian families and Canadian workers, but the Conservatives have voted against every single measure. We are going to fight for Canadian families.

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

Mr. Speaker, next week, families will gather to celebrate Thanksgiving. However, according to studies, the cost of that traditional meal will be 10% higher than it was last year. For far too many Canadians, simply gathering around the table with family is becoming a luxury. That is why our party has brought forward a motion, which is being debated today, to recognize the reality that these families face every time they go to the grocery store.

Does the government acknowledge that, after 11 years of Liberal rule, Canada is officially in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis?

[Nathalie Provost, Liberal, Secretary of State (Nature)]

Mr. Speaker, this is indeed an extremely important issue for Canadians and for Quebeckers. That is why our government is taking action on multiple fronts to make life more affordable for Canadians.

Today, the Prime Minister announced a $2-billion measure that will benefit one million households across Canada. This will represent savings of up to $2,000 a year. Not only will this help improve affordability, but it is good for the climate.

That is what building Canada well is all about.

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

Mr. Speaker, those are just empty words. The government's plan is not working.

It will take approximately $150 in groceries to feed eight people, and that is not counting all the extras that people have come to expect, like appetizers and drinks. Unfortunately, many Canadian families will have to settle for a simpler meal because they do not have any money. That is the result of 11 years of Liberal mismanagement. Our motion before the House today makes that very clear.

Will the government admit that, after 11 years of Liberal governance, Canada is officially in the midst of an affordability crisis?

[Nathalie Provost, Liberal, Secretary of State (Nature)]

Mr. Speaker, yelling and getting upset is not going to help the affordability crisis. We need to take action and vote in favour of measures that help Canadians.

As I just said, an announcement was made today that will help a million households. In my colleague's riding alone, families will receive $14.5 million from the Canada groceries and essentials benefit. This measure is achieving real results in her riding, and she voted against it. It is all well and good to yell, but it is far better to take action, and that is what we are doing.

Government Priorities

[Christine Normandin, Bloc, Saint-Jean, QC]

Mr. Speaker, finally a Liberal has realized that Bill C‑39 is a big mistake. The member for West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country criticized the fact that Bill C‑39 grants the power to build pipelines while violating environmental laws. He spoke out against the fact that Bill C‑39 would limit the duration of consultations, which could be detrimental and could silence indigenous voices, and he is right about that.

It also looks like the Prime Minister is going too far with his big beautiful bill and rollbacks that will be felt for generations.

Who on the government side will speak out against this bill?

[Steven MacKinnon, Liberal, Minister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, Canada, including Quebec, is determined to become a superpower in conventional and renewable energy.

That is why I urge the Bloc Québécois to vote in favour of Bill C‑39 to accelerate renewable energy projects and the hydroelectric development in Churchill Falls, where the Government of Canada and the 44 Quebec MPs have advocated for a generational investment in the future of Quebeckers.

[Christine Normandin, Bloc, Saint-Jean, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the Liberal member for West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country is right. Bill C-39 is the biggest environmental setback in recent history, but that is not all. Bill C‑39 seeks to circumvent checks and balances for the benefit of American oil companies. Bill C‑39 seeks to limit workers' rights.

Most Liberals ran for office precisely to fight this kind of measure. When will they have the courage to speak out against the Prime Minister's big beautiful bill?

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

Mr. Speaker, I am surprised by what my colleague said. There was a time when the Bloc Québécois stood up for a Quebec that builds, a Quebec that thinks big, that takes its place inside the country and around the world. Think of Quebec's great builders, of hydroelectricity, of Mr. Bourassa, of the Contrecœur project now in progress.

For once, could we hear the Bloc Québécois talk about a strong Quebec, one that builds and takes its place?

On this side of the House, we, the members from Quebec, will be there to defend the interests of Quebec.

[Gabriel Ste-Marie, Bloc, Joliette—Manawan, QC]

Mr. Speaker, omnibus Bill C-39 is 250 pages historic rollbacks on environmental protection, labour rights, science, intergovernmental relations and reconciliation with indigenous peoples.

The Bloc Québécois is appealing to environmentalists, labour unions, scientists, governments and first nations: We need to mobilize. We also need other Liberals to have the same courage as their colleague from West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country and condemn Bill C-39.

Who in the government is going to stand up against the Prime Minister's big beautiful bill?

[Steven MacKinnon, Liberal, Minister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, beyond thinking big, as my colleague so aptly put it, and beyond the next James Bay project, which is at Churchill Falls and Gull Island, beyond all that, there is the high-speed rail project. It will connect four of Quebec's largest cities and will be a game-changer for people across Quebec, whether they are studying, working or visiting one of our municipalities or major urban centres.

I urge the Bloc Québécois to get onboard with the high-speed train. May it think big for Quebec and support the Alto project.