moved: That this House approve in general the budgetary policy of the government.
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 83(1), I would like to table, in both official languages, the budget documents for 2026, including the notices of ways and means motions. The details of the measures are contained in these documents.
Pursuant to Standing Order 83(2), I am requesting that an order of the day be designated for consideration of these motions.
Mr. Speaker, it is budget day, and I will try to make this speech only half as long as last year's, but with the same level of ambition and optimism, while bringing good news to Canadians.
The moment in front of us is serious. Canadians know it. Our new government knows it. The moment demands an ambitious plan to be masters of our own destiny, maîtres chez nous.
Canadians know that we are living through extraordinary times. The rules we counted on no longer seem to hold. The global trading system that brought stability for decades is being rewritten. Wars and geopolitical competition are reshaping supply chains. Artificial intelligence is transforming our economies at breakneck speed.
For many Canadians, this uncertainty affects them daily. It means wondering whether their job or their children's jobs will be secure, whether their business can survive another shock, and whether they will be able to afford a home, raise a family or build the life they have worked so hard for. However, Canadians have met moments like this before, and as the Prime Minister reminded the nation and the world, “Nostalgia is not a strategy.” As Canadians, we know how to turn global volatility into national opportunity.
Let us remember that we are a nation of builders. We built railways from coast to coast and a seaway connecting our industries to the rest of the world. We founded leading universities, research centres, businesses and public institutions—pillars of knowledge and drivers of prosperity. We leveraged Canadian ingenuity to fight for freedom during both world wars and to explore outer space.
We built a country in which generation after generation could aspire to something better, and every time the world changed, Canadians adapted. We do not retreat. We lead with purpose, determination and ambition because we are Canadians.
In the face of adversity, we are seizing opportunities and working together to rebuild stronger.
I sincerely believe that in a few years, Canadians will see this moment as another turning point in our history. Our ambition is clear: accelerate growth through an investment supercycle; make life more affordable for Canadians; and defend our sovereignty while celebrating our rich cultural heritage.
One thing is clear: Our country is more united than ever in the face of these challenges. As Lester B. Pearson said in the House on November 28, 1967, “The future of Canada, Mr. Speaker, will be decided in Canada, by Canadians.”
I even thought for a moment that the Conservatives would applaud for this part.
This is the essence of who we are as a people. This is the essence of being masters of our destiny, maîtres chez nous. We have the strength to build, the discipline to deliver and the values to take care of each other.
Canada enters this defining moment in history with every reason to be confident. We have one of the most highly educated workforces in the world. We have the energy and the critical minerals the world needs. We are a leader in key industries such as artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, nuclear energy, mining, agriculture, agri-food and advanced manufacturing. We have preferential market access to 1.5 billion consumers, and we will soon double that number and reach three billion consumers. This is the Canada of the 21st century. We also have the strongest fiscal position in the G7, with the lowest net debt-to-GDP ratio, and we are projected to have the second-fastest-growing economy in the G7 in 2027.
However, our greatest strength, as the Prime Minister said, is something that cannot be found on a balance sheet: trust. Trust is what defines Canada in an uncertain world.