House of Commons Hansard #163 of the 45th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was s-5.
This summary is computer-generated. Usually it’s accurate, but every now and then it’ll contain inaccuracies or total fabrications.
Connected Care for Canadians Act Second reading of Bill S-5. The bill requires health information technology vendors to adopt common standards and prohibits data blocking, aiming to let patients and authorized providers securely share medical records, improve care coordination and support research. Members broadly endorse interoperability but raise questions about privacy, cybersecurity, implementation costs, vendor oversight, innovation and provincial jurisdiction, particularly Quebec’s. Conservatives support the goal while calling for scrutiny of implementation and accountability; the Bloc opposes the bill without stronger protections for provincial authority. 36300 words, 4 hours in 2 segments: 1 2.
Financial Statement of Minister of Finance Members debate Budget 2026, which the Liberal government presents as a plan for economic growth, affordability, housing, sovereignty and cultural investment. Conservatives criticize its deficits, borrowing and accounting framework, while the Bloc raises concerns about Quebec’s health transfers, asylum costs and jurisdiction. The NDP questions spending priorities, and the Green Party and Bloc criticize climate measures. 13200 words, 2 hours.
Bienvenu-Olivier Ntumba Liberal Mont-Saint-Bruno—L’Acadie, QC
Mr. Speaker, the members from Quebec on this side of the House and all of my colleagues have been listening to what Quebeckers have to say. Even the Premier of Quebec, Mr. St‑Pierre Plamondon, made a commitment similar to ours to eliminate homelessness. Our government set a goal to end homelessness in 10 years.
I would like to ask my colleague opposite this question: Does he support that commitment? What specific solutions does he suggest to help meet this objective?
Financial Statement of Minister of FinanceThe BudgetGovernment Orders
November 5th, 2026 / 5:35 p.m.
Bloc
Jean-Denis Garon Bloc Mirabel, QC
Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague. He knows I really like him.
There is indeed a homelessness crisis. In Quebec, we are showing strong leadership. Ms. Marois spearheaded an initiative, and there will be a summit on homelessness. The Premier of Quebec is the minister responsible for the fight against homelessness.
We asked the government to extend some important transition programs in the budget, including the Reaching Home program, and those programs have been renewed. We are happy about that, but homelessness falls mainly under Quebec's jurisdiction in many ways. Quebec is responsible for rehousing people, Build Canada Homes, mental health and public safety issues. Quebec has that expertise. Because the homelessness situation is becoming more urgent with winter approaching, we asked for an unconditional transfer to Quebec, which developed expertise in this area some time ago, whether my colleagues like it or not.
When reading the budget, I noticed that there was zero dollars in unconditional transfers.
Luc Berthold Conservative Mégantic—L’Érable—Lotbinière, QC
Mr. Speaker, I would first like to congratulate my colleague from Mirabel on his speech. His knack for dazzling us with unusual imagery was on full display again today, so I congratulate him.
I want to direct my remarks specifically to the member for Mirabel, who is a fellow member from Quebec. People need to know that a budget contains legislative measures. It is basically an omnibus bill that slips all kinds of changes in through the back door. Here is what it says about the Alto project on page 367:
In Budget 2026, the government proposes to introduce new legislation that will support accelerating the construction of Alto High-Speed Rail.
How are they going to do that?
Legislation will streamline expropriation activities and enable early preconstruction work.
I am very interested in hearing what my colleague from Mirabel has to say about that.
Jean-Denis Garon Bloc Mirabel, QC
Mr. Speaker, I have a message for the people of Mirabel today. I will not do like the Minister of Transport, who had to hide when he visited the area. I will do it out in the open.
What the government is doing today is accelerating the expropriation of the land in Mirabel, steamrolling over the people of Mirabel and moving its project forward more quickly, a project that has no social licence and no cost-benefit analysis.
When cabinet picked the high-speed train option, the consortium submitted a different option without level crossings. Now, I can accept that they acted in good faith and were misled. With a proper cost-benefit analysis and proper assessments, this project could be re-evaluated.
The government decided to forge ahead and infringe on people's rights. It chose to reopen an old wound that is among the most painful ever inflicted in the history of Canada and Quebec. Allow me to point out that the House adopted a unanimous motion calling for the government to apologize to the people of Mirabel. In spite of this unanimous support, the apology has yet to come.
Gabriel Ste-Marie Bloc Joliette—Manawan, QC
Mr. Speaker, I congratulate my colleague and friend on his excellent speech.
In his speech, he said that there was zero economic growth in Quebec. We are being hit hard by the U.S. government's tariffs. Even though it has just lost its majority in both chambers, the tariffs remain in place.
I would have expected this budget to include strong measures to support our struggling sectors in order to ensure their long-term viability. I am thinking of the forestry sector in the northern part of my riding. I am thinking of the steel, aluminum and metalworking industries in my city, the kind found throughout Quebec. I am thinking of all the strong sectors we have in Quebec that are being hit hard by tariffs.
What measures would my colleague say are included in this budget to help them?
Jean-Denis Garon Bloc Mirabel, QC
Mr. Speaker, in all fairness, some measures have indeed been introduced, often at the urging of the Bloc Québécois. However, they do not go far enough. We had called for a wage subsidy. Measures have been put in place through the EI system, but we also asked for a provision to replenish the fund if necessary. That measure is not in the budget.
We also called on the government to give our forestry companies an advance to offset the countervailing duties. Doing so would not cost the government a single dollar, since the advance would simply become an asset on its books. Of course, the budget includes measures to support investment, but there is nothing better than investing with cash. Instead, companies are being offered tax credits and incentives while their own money remains tied up in a trust in the United States, pending a resolution that will take several years.
I believe this proposal would be good for the forestry sector, and I expect we will continue our discussions with the government.
I am hopeful that this will eventually happen. I am just worried there will not be many forestry companies left in Quebec by then.
Jenny Kwan NDP Vancouver East, BC
Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the member a question about housing. The budget talks about the ambition of ending homelessness, yet the investment does not match that ambition. It talks about 24,000 units a year of non-market housing. Does the member think that kind of investment would actually end homelessness, or is it yet another false promise?
Jean-Denis Garon Bloc Mirabel, QC
Mr. Speaker, as far as this issue is concerned, I believe it is primarily Quebec's responsibility to take action.
There are some positive elements in the budget. More non-market housing is a good thing. Strengthening programs that help people experiencing homelessness move into transitional housing is also welcome. We know that Quebec has signed an agreement with the federal government under Build Canada Homes because it is now recognized that Quebec is the level of government best positioned to build this housing more quickly.
Obviously, what we would like to see is a streamlined process and for as much of that funding as possible to flow to Quebec. As for the homelessness crisis, with winter approaching, we want recognition of Pauline Marois's leadership on this issue, recognition of the upcoming homelessness summit in Quebec, and recognition that the leadership on this file lies with Quebec.
Today, to use a railway analogy that might please the Minister of Transport, Quebec finds itself in the second or third car of the train. All the necessary tools and resources must be transferred to Quebec without delay.
Financial Statement of Minister of FinanceThe BudgetGovernment Orders
Pontiac—Kitigan Zibi Québec
Liberal
Sophie Chatel LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence
Mr. Speaker, I would like to know what my colleague thinks about the investments in culture.
As a member from Quebec, I believe that culture and the francophonie are absolutely fundamental. I would like to know what he thinks about the Canada creative credit and the fact that it will make $45,000 of artistic earnings tax free.
We are also renewing the local journalism initiative. It is extremely important for culture; it allows us to tell the stories of people's everyday lives. There is also the Canadian journalism labour tax credit. These are all very important measures.
I would like to know what my colleague thinks about this contribution to Quebec's francophone culture.
Jean-Denis Garon Bloc Mirabel, QC
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague for her excellent question.
I also noticed in the budget that there was nearly $400 million earmarked for the Sommet de la Francophonie, which is to be held here. Perhaps this will allow the Prime Minister to find more time to meet with the Premier of Quebec before the summit.
Joking aside, there are certain things we have been calling for for a long time. The Canadian journalism labour tax credit is being increased by 35% and will be expanded to include digital media. We had been advocating for that change, and we believe it is long overdue, so we welcome it.
Take the $600 million announced for artists. The same problem will arise next year because the government has still not reinstated the CRTC levy. The cultural sector does not need a one-time payment. It needs funding to stay afloat. The money still has not been paid out, by the way. The money promised has yet to be paid out. The government must reinstate the digital tax. The government must reinstate this levy. We need structural measures.
As I have said before, even a bad movie can have two or three good scenes. That does not mean that, taken as a whole, this is enough to convince us that this government supports culture to the extent that we would like.
For the past year, they have been accusing us of not submitting any budget requests for culture. That is not true. I am disappointed that the members opposite who are saying this cannot seem to read more than two pages, because we submitted a very comprehensive document. It saddens me, because I think that if they had read the entire document last year, the Canadian journalism labour tax credit might have been introduced a year earlier.
Jill McKnight LiberalMinister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence
Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order.
There have been discussions among the parties, and if you seek it, I think you will find unanimous consent for the following motion.
I move:
That this House do now adjourn.
Financial Statement of Minister of FinanceThe BudgetGovernment Orders
The Deputy Speaker Tom Kmiec
All those opposed to the hon. minister's moving the motion will please say nay.
It is agreed.
The House has heard the terms of the motion. All those opposed to the motion will please say nay.
(Motion agreed to)
Accordingly, the House stands adjourned until tomorrow at 10 a.m., pursuant to Standing Order 24(1).
(The House adjourned at 5:50 p.m.)