Debates of Nov. 4th, 2026

Artificial Intelligence

[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 not going to wait for others to build AI. We are going to build safe Canadian AI. We are going to invest in Canadian companies. We are going to keep the jobs here in Canada. We are going to keep the intellectual property here in Canada. We are going to make sure that Canada has a seat at the table with this safe, sovereign technology.

We will not do what the Conservatives would like us to do, which is nothing. We are building in Canada, because that is how we have control over the future.

[Blaine Calkins, Conservative, Ponoka—Didsbury, AB]

Mr. Speaker, this AI scandal perfectly illustrates why the government should not be in the business of picking winners and losers. It is a masquerade that is simply about using taxpayer dollars to reward their friends in the Liberal club. It is a hallmark of virtually every Liberal government.

Let us take Dominic Barton, for example. As a former global managing director at McKinsey, he benefited from hundreds of millions of dollars in Liberal government contracts. Now, as an early investor in Cohere, he stands to gain once again.

Can the Prime Minister please explain why his Liberal friends are doing so well, while so many other Canadians are just barely hanging on?

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

Mr. Speaker, this is not about what the Conservatives say, picking winners or losers. This is about investing in Canadians. They should try it for a while.

Canadians are winners because they build here in Canada. We are one of the few middle powers. There are only four countries that have the capacity to build safe, sovereign companies. Cohere is a Canadian champion. It will put 1,000 jobs here in the next three years. It will invest $1.7 billion, and Canadians now can benefit from this company staying Canadian. The Conservatives should try to build Canada strong for a change.

Finance

[Stéphane Lauzon, Liberal, Argenteuil—Papineau—Des Collines, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I have had the opportunity to speak with families, businesses and workers in my riding. They all understand the importance of rising to the challenges of this unique moment and seizing the opportunities before us. They understand that being “masters in our own home” means building a better future, that being “masters in our own home” means a stronger and more resilient Canada.

With just over 24 hours to go before budget 2026 is introduced, can the minister tell us how we will become masters in our own home?

[Dominic LeBlanc, Liberal, President of the King’s Privy Council for Canada and Minister responsible for Canada-U.S. Trade]

Mr. Speaker, I thank our colleague for his excellent question. He knows very well that our government was elected to strengthen the Canadian economy, diversify our trade, rely on partners who want to invest in and trade more with Canada, and strengthen the armed forces through Canada's industrial strategy. Whether in natural resources or manufacturing, we are here to support Canadian industries. Tomorrow will already be—

[The Speaker, Francis Scarpaleggia]

The hon. member for Bowmanville—Oshawa.

Public Services and Procurement

[Jamil Jivani, Conservative, Bowmanville—Oshawa North, ON]

Mr. Speaker, Canadians have questions about the $2.3-billion contract given out to Telesat. Its CEO, Dan Goldberg, is close personal friends with the Prime Minister. Liberals were deflecting questions about this earlier today, but the core question is this: Why is the AI minister including Dan Goldberg in his ethics screen but the Prime Minister is unwilling to do the exact same? Canadians want to know why the Prime Minister's ethics screen is incomplete, and when it is going to be fixed.

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

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister, like all ministers, all members of the House and all senior officials throughout the government, must live under some of the most stringent ethics rules in the world. Declarations are filed regularly. Much attention is paid to making sure of the exactitude of all of these documents, and I would encourage all members of the House and all senior members of the government to continue to rigorously adhere to these very high standards.

Steel and Aluminum Industry

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

Mr. Speaker, it is another week, another letter sent to Cleveland-Cliffs, yet workers are still facing layoffs.

Now, on October 26, the industry minister said she would provide the House with the demand letter that outlines the numerous breaches Cleveland-Cliffs made in its contract, yet she has not followed through. I have asked for that letter repeatedly in the House, yet parliamentarians still have not seen it, but I did learn that the media has a copy. Therefore, if she is willing to provide it to reporters, certainly she could provide it here for members of the House. Will she table it today, yes or no?

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

Mr. Speaker, when it comes to Stelco, our position is clear. We want the workers to be back working, period. That is why we are waiting for Stelco and we are waiting for Cleveland-Cliffs. There are three days left. If not, we are suing.

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

Mr. Speaker, the minister keeps sending letters and moving deadlines, but what workers really need is a more competitive industry. Conservatives have offered some concrete solutions, like pre-approving LNG projects so we can signal demand to industry for Canadian steel and getting rid of the industrial carbon tax. We have also argued for regulatory and tax reform.

Will the Liberals today commit to advancing our proposals and work with us to make Canada the most competitive place to do business in the world, yes or no?

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

Mr. Speaker, I have a lot of respect for my colleague, and I am always willing to work with him. We know that together we need to deal with the American tariffs, we need to protect our steel sector and we need to make sure that, when it comes to Stelco, the workers are back.

At the same time, I must say that my colleague needs to look at the budget tomorrow. I am convinced that he will be convinced by our plan to build Canada strong.

Finance

[Viviane LaPointe, Liberal, Sudbury, ON]

Mr. Speaker, in a rapidly changing world, one thing is clear. Meeting this moment gives us all the opportunity, as well as the duty, to build a stronger, more independent and resilient Canada. We have what the world wants. That means new jobs, new investments and new opportunities for all Canadians. It means we are masters of our own destiny.

With budget 2026 just over 24 hours away, can the Secretary of State for Financial Institutions give us a sneak peek of what Canadians can expect tomorrow afternoon?

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

Mr. Speaker, the member for Sudbury asked an amazing question. Indeed, this Thursday, we will table budget 2026.

Unlike the Conservatives, who continue to talk down the economy, our workers, our unions and our country, we will build on Canada's strengths. We will unlock investment. We will move projects forward and create good jobs at home. We will strengthen our economy and support small and medium-sized businesses. Unlike the Conservatives, we will make life more affordable for Canadians. Join us for budget 2026—

[The Speaker, Francis Scarpaleggia]

The hon. member for Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman.

National Defence

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

Mr. Speaker, the tragedy at CFB Wainwright took four precious lives, left 39 soldiers hospitalized and countless others exposed to heavy smoke. For many, their recoveries will not be quick. Some will have health challenges for the rest of their lives. Unfortunately, the long-term benefits are different between reserve force and regular force members based on their terms of service. This could result in one survivor receiving adequate support, while another slips through the cracks.

Will the government ensure every soldier with an injury attributable to service receives the same benefits?

[David McGuinty, Liberal, Minister of National Defence]

Mr. Speaker, there are 27 Canadians now still in the hospital. We are with them. We are providing all the support we can. We have brought in personnel from Ontario. We are providing surgical help. I would ask all members to stick together as we provide the support that they need.

I take due note of the member's question. We will look at it and come back with an answer.

Housing

[Jenny Kwan, NDP, Vancouver East, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister is willing to spend $50 billion on a pipeline, a decision that guts Canada's climate strategy and tramples on indigenous rights, but we do not see the same ambition when it comes to his so-called wartime housing program.

With Canadians facing mounting bills, higher interest rates and skyrocketing housing costs, will the Prime Minister declare building community housing a national interest and increase the housing budget to build one million non-market housing units for Canadians?

[Jennifer McKelvie, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for the question because it gives us the opportunity to reflect on the hard work we have done over the last year. Over the last year, we have worked with provinces to reduce red tape and fees. We have reduced GST for new homes for first-time homebuyers. We have invested in housing-enabling infrastructure so that we can build more homes.

Here are the results. Let us talk about them. RBC confirmed improved housing affordability. Rent prices are down 24 months in a row. PwC says optimism in housing is back. According to Canadian real estate, housing starts are up in Vancouver and Montreal and, listen to this, up 65% in Saskatchewan—

Presence in Gallery

[The Speaker, Francis Scarpaleggia]

I wish to draw the attention of members to the presence in the gallery of the 2026 Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council award recipients.

With us is the 2026 Gerhard Hertzberg Canada Gold Medal for Science and Engineering prize winner, Dr. Linda Nazar.

Also with us are the winners of NSERC's John C. Polanyi Award and the Brockhouse Canada Prize for Interdisciplinary Research in Science and Engineering.

Also with us are the winners of the Synergy Awards for Innovation and the Arthur B. McDonald Fellowships.

[Some hon. members]

Hear, hear!

The House resumed from November 2 consideration of the motion.

Justice and Human Rights

[The Speaker, Francis Scarpaleggia]

It being 3:15 p.m., the House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded division on the motion to concur in the ninth report of the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights concerning the extension of time to consider Bill S‑233.

Call in the members.

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

Vote #189

Committees of the House

[The Speaker, Francis Scarpaleggia]

I declare the motion carried.