Debates of Feb. 10th, 2026

Canadian Coast Guard

[Mike Kelloway, Liberal, Sydney—Glace Bay, NS]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an important moment for the Canadian Coast Guard. After more than 40 years of dedicated service, Commissioner Mario Pelletier has retired. As the first graduate of the Canadian Coast Guard Academy to lead the organization, he served Canadians with distinction and helped advance the Coast Guard's critical work from coast to coast to coast.

I also want to welcome Marc Mes, who will be serving as acting commissioner as the important work continues. This transition comes at an exciting time for Cape Breton, as Sydney has been named the preferred location for the future maintenance port for Canada's new polar ice vessels, strengthening Arctic operations, maritime security and, indeed, Canadian sovereignty. This is great news for Cape Breton, for Nova Scotia and for Canada. As we know, when one community benefits in Atlantic Canada, all communities in Atlantic Canada benefit.

I want to thank Commissioner Pelletier for his service and, and I wish Acting Commissioner Marc Mes success as the Coast Guard builds on this momentum.

Syria

[Roman Baber, Conservative, York Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, my North York riding is home to thousands of Canadian Kurds. I and my Conservative colleagues are gravely concerned about recent reports of attacks by Syrian forces against civilians in Aleppo. The attacks target the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh neighbourhoods, which are home to half a million Syrians, mainly Kurds but also Christians, Yazidis and Druze. Innocent civilians, including women and children, are reported to be targeted. These attacks against the Kurds may escalate into mass atrocities.

The Kurdish people and other civilian religious minorities in Syria endured decades of displacement and unspeakable violence. These are clear violations of international law. I condemn any attacks against Kurdish civilians and call on Canada's government to stand up in defence of human rights of Syrian Kurds.

Jimmy Lai

[Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Bloc, Lac-Saint-Jean, QC]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, the Subcommittee on International Human Rights took a clear, strong and unanimous stand. It condemned the 20-year prison sentence that the Hong Kong authorities imposed on Jimmy Lai, a defender of democracy and freedom of speech, whose only crime was to express his opinions publicly. The motion calls for his immediate release.

In 2023, the House of Commons and the Senate unanimously adopted a similar motion. All of the parties recognized that, by granting Mr. Lai honorary Canadian citizenship, Canada could exert real diplomatic pressure to secure his release.

Today, that call is more urgent than ever. Jimmy Lai's son, Sebastien Lai, put it very aptly when he asked how we could talk about warming relations with China when his father is still in prison. We have a duty to align our actions with our principles.

I call on all parliamentarians to join in this collective effort so that justice is served and political prisoner Jimmy Lai is freed.

Canada's Agriculture Day

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

Mr. Speaker, today is Canada's Agriculture Day, a time to recognize the farmers, producers and food processors who sustain our communities and our economy.

In Kitchener—Conestoga, across Wellesley, Wilmot and Woolwich, agriculture is a part of everyday life and is a year-round commitment. From the first harvest of maple syrup in early spring, through planting and the fall harvest to the daily care of livestock throughout the year, the work never stops. Agriculture is present in our farms and barns, in on farm markets, in processing plants and along the routes that move food from farm to table. I recognize and appreciate the early mornings, long hours and dedication required to steward the land, produce high-quality food and plan for the future.

On Agriculture Day, I want to thank the people whose work helps us put food on our table every day and whose efforts strengthen our economy and food security. They are building Canada strong.

Agriculture and Agri-Food

[Dave Epp, Conservative, Chatham-Kent—Leamington, ON]

Mr. Speaker, today is Canada's 10th Agriculture Day, recognizing farmers and agri-food workers.

While this should be a day of celebration, the government has instead allowed Canada to lead the G7 in food inflation. This is not a failure of Canada's farmers or our agricultural sector; it is the result of short-sighted government policies. Rather than cutting costs where they actually matter, the government is piling them on. The industrial carbon tax, labelling and packaging regulations and the fuel standard tax drive up the cost of groceries.

At the same time, Ottawa is cutting in the wrong places. CFIA's decision to scrap destination inspection services without industry consultation, along with ag research centre closures, undermines reliability, competitiveness and trust in Canada's food quality. This makes Canada a weaker trading partner, leading to higher prices.

If the government is serious about food affordability and security, it must stop making short-sighted decisions from Ottawa and start listening to the people who actually provide our food. Canada's farmers do not need to be managed; they need to be heard.

Cardiovascular Disease

[Hedy Fry, Liberal, Vancouver Centre, BC]

Mr. Speaker, cardiovascular disease, CVD, remains one of the greatest health challenges facing Canadians today. Currently, one in 12 adults, 2.6 million people, lives with CVD. Nine in 10 Canadians over age 20 have at least one risk factor. More than 750,000 Canadians live with heart failure, and a million live with atrial fibrillation. Nine out of 10 over age 20 are at risk.

CVD is one of the main causes of hospitalization and loss of productivity, costing the health care system over $21 billion a year. Early detection in high-risk populations can prevent and delay disease, reduce the cost of treatment, improve quality of life and save millions of lives.

The Canadian Cardiovascular Society and the University of Ottawa Heart Institute have partnered with our Speaker to offer heart risk assessments in West Block today until 4 p.m. I encourage members to go. The life we save may be our own.

Automotive Industry

[Chris Lewis, Conservative, Essex, ON]

Mr. Speaker, 24,000 auto workers in Essex—Windsor are once again being asked to pay for the Liberals' failed patchwork EV policy. These are workers who did everything right. They built the strongest automotive ecosystems in North America, yet the government continues to ship Canadian dollars out of the country, sending a clear message to our workers that they are not good enough.

The 49,000 Chinese EVs that the Liberals allowed to flood our market are projected to account for up to 30% of our EV sales this year without end-of-life safeguards in place. It does not stop there; the Liberals are handing out up to $2.3 billion in subsidies for EVs made in the United States, and just after the Liberals reannounced their EV policy, Stellantis sold its stake in the NextStar battery plant and shut down plug-in hybrid production in Windsor. This is not a coincidence; this is a failure.

Let us be clear. Who benefits from this EV policy? It is the United States and China. Who pays the people of Essex?

Geraldine Browning

[Kody Blois, Liberal, Kings—Hants, NS]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the late Dr. Geraldine Browning, a prominent and beloved member of our community in Kings—Hants, who passed away on December 31, 2025.

Born and raised in the historic African Nova Scotian community of East Preston, Geraldine began her career in nursing in Montreal before meeting her husband, Orval. Together they raised nine children and lived a military life before moving to and building a house in Gibson Woods. Faith was a cornerstone of Geraldine's life, and Sundays at the Browning household were spent at the United Baptist Church, where she was a prominent member of the congregation.

Despite living a busy life, Geraldine consistently gave back to her community. She led several key organizations supporting the African Nova Scotian community, including the Black Cultural Society, the Black Business Initiative and the Valley African Nova Scotia Development Association, VANSDA. For her public service, Geraldine was awarded the Order of Nova Scotia, an honorary doctorate degree from Acadia University and the Queen's diamond and platinum jubilee medals.

Geraldine made a difference in this world and will be dearly missed. I extend my condolences to Geraldine's family and the broader community on her passing.

Public Safety

[Brad Vis, Conservative, Mission—Matsqui—Abbotsford, BC]

Mr. Speaker, Canada is facing a surge in violent extortion that is shaking communities across the country. Families and small business owners in my own community are living with a level of fear they have never known before.

Extortion has risen by 330% since the Liberals were elected. In British Columbia it has climbed more than 480%. In B.C., 14 accused extortionists have paused removal by claiming refugee status, exposing the blatant abuse of our asylum system.

Canadians deserve to feel safe in their home, on their streets and in their place of work. We owe it to them to strengthen protections and to ensure that violent offenders face meaningful consequences. This is why our Conservative motion demands that the government close loopholes exploited by serious offenders, repeal Bill C-5 and Bill C-75, end repeat offender cycles and ensure that violent criminals cannot use the system to delay or avoid removal from Canada. We also refuse to let the Liberals play politics with the safety and security of Canadians any longer.

Human Rights Advocate

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

Mr. Speaker, I stand with voices around the world in denouncing the unjust and politically driven sentencing of Jimmy Lai, the latest chapter in the erosion of Hong Kong's freedom and independence.

This outcome was not inevitable. For years, advocates globally have called for the release of Jimmy Lai, and this pressure from the international community must continue. His sentencing is a clear violation of the Sino-British Joint Declaration, a legally binding treaty lodged with the United Nations. Sentencing a 78-year-old newspaper publisher to 20 years in prison for peaceful expression is not the justified rule of law; it is repression. I urge democratic societies to answer this abuse with coordinated diplomatic measures and accountability.

Jimmy Lai's case makes clear that Hong Kong's courts now operate fully under Beijing's control. I extend my deepest sympathies to his family, and I reaffirm my commitment to seeking his release, alongside that of all people in prison for their beliefs in Hong Kong.

The Economy

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, Canadians deserve affordable groceries. Last week, I asked the Prime Minister why Canada has the worst food inflation in the G7. I asked him why grocery prices here are rising faster than in any other G7 country. He said it is because of our weak dollar, but he is the one responsible for the dollar. How has he weakened the dollar? Was it by doubling the deficit, keeping all the anti-development laws in place, or taxing our industries and preventing exports?

What is the reason for the weak dollar and expensive groceries?

[Mark Carney, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, our dollar has strengthened since the election of the new Government of Canada. That is my first point.

My second point is that it is thanks to this government's economic plan, a plan that will invest in Canada, that will make Canada an energy superpower, that will find and is finding new partnerships around the world.

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, I am hearing some good slogans, but I am not hearing an answer. Yes, I do appreciate a good slogan, but the fact is that the Prime Minister is the one who said that the dollar is weak. The Prime Minister is the one who cannot explain why, one year into his term, food inflation has doubled and grocery prices are rising faster in Canada than in any other G7 country.

I will ask again. Can the Prime Minister explain why Canadians are being forced to watch as prices rise faster here in Canada than anywhere else in the G7?

[Mark Carney, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, it is time for another little economics lesson for the Leader of the Opposition. The other party's obstruction in the previous Parliament is what eventually caused the dollar to fall. Now the dollar is going up, wages are going up and growth is happening here in Canada.

Public Safety

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, now the Prime Minister is claiming it is the official opposition who lowered the dollar, another excuse from a man whose results do not live up to his rhetoric. The same is true on crime. After 10 years of Liberals, extortion is up 333% because of lax Liberal laws and immigration, and now Liberals are obstructing a solution. Today, we are proposing a motion to ensure that no one accused or convicted of a crime can claim refugee status.

Will the Prime Minister stop obstructing the motion so we can kick extortionists out and bring safety to our system?

[Mark Carney, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, I am glad the Leader of the Opposition brought up obstruction. It is the obstruction by the opposition that is delaying the six bills before the House and Senate that will address extortion, that will tighten bail, that will tighten sentencing against extortion and, very importantly, consistent with every major police force in this country and consistent with mayors of large cities, that will introduce lawful access, which the opposition has consistently stopped in favour of extortion.

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister is blocking his own bills and failing to move ahead because Liberals do not want to repeal Liberal bail, Liberal house arrest and Liberal immigration. However, we have a motion before the House of Commons today. It would, one, bar non-citizens convicted of a serious offence from claiming refugee status; two, bar the same people who have been charged from claiming refugee status, and three, stop judges from giving sentencing discounts to people because they are from abroad.

Which of these three things does the Prime Minister oppose? If there is none, why obstruct?

[Mark Carney, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, this side of the House supports taking control over immigration, which is why asylum seekers are down 50%, which is why temporary foreign workers are down 50% and which is why students and temporary residents are down by over 50%. That is the first point.

Second point, this side of the House supports tightening sentencing, tightening bail, for violent crimes, for extortion and for sextortion. They should join us.

Automotive Industry

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister has done none of those things. By the way, all those numbers are up compared to when the previous Conservative government was in office.

On to jobs for Canadians, our auto workers are losing their jobs in Ingersoll, in Oshawa and elsewhere because of American tariffs. The Prime Minister is helping the U.S. take away these jobs by forcing Canadian taxpayers to spend $2.3 billion on subsidies for American and other foreign-made electric vehicles.

Why not scrap this subsidy for foreign-made vehicles and take taxes off vehicles made here in Canada?

[Mark Carney, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, the government is investing $3 billion in Canadian automakers. We are investing not in the auto industry of the past but in the auto industry of the future. The auto industry of the future is electric. It is connected. We are building out the entire supply chain. As the House will see in the coming weeks, we are building out the electricity grid, in the spirit of co-operative federalism, with the provinces.

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, the auto workers are waiting for it. They are waiting for their jobs, but the Prime Minister is subsidizing electric vehicles whose sales are in full collapse and that are made outside of Canada. Imagine being an auto worker looking at high taxes on his severance after he has lost his job and knowing that billions of those dollars will be going to subsidize vehicles made in the very country that tariffed him out of work.

Why does the Prime Minister not find his elbows, do the right thing for a change and actually take the taxes off Canadian-made automobiles, not subsidize foreign ones?

[Mark Carney, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, I would suggest that if any extremities are going to be removed, it is the fingers from the ears of the Leader of the Opposition. The Leader of the Opposition could listen to the head of the auto manufacturing association. He can listen to the Conservative Premier of Ontario, the heartland of Canadian auto manufacturing. He can listen to the entire sector, which knows that our investments of $3 billion in the supply chain and in the grid are going to drive our sector forward to the future.

Public Services and Procurement

[Yves-François Blanchet, Bloc, Beloeil—Chambly, QC]

Mr. Speaker, a few weeks ago, the Prime Minister gave a speech in Davos about the hypocrisy of great empires, a speech that most people seemed to agree with. He outlined some very interesting principles.

Today, I want to call on the Prime Minister to be consistent because in that speech he said—without naming names, but in other circumstances, he did name names—that the United States was no longer the reliable economic and military partner we could count on. However, this morning we learned that the Canadian government is going to again award F-35 contracts to the United States, not suspending the contract as it had done.

[Mark Carney, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, first, for the record, the statement just made by the opposition member was not in my speech.

Second, with regard to the F-35s, yes, the government is paying a small amount in order to have options. This is useful for our national defence and in order to have options in our negotiations with the Americans.

[Yves-François Blanchet, Bloc, Beloeil—Chambly, QC]

Mr. Speaker, wording the question differently could lead to a differently worded answer that I might have a chance to understand.

If the Prime Minister believes that the United States is no longer a reliable partner, is it normal for the government to follow through on a contract that the Prime Minister himself called to be studied and suspended, when the U.S. President goes so far as to say that a bridge paid for by Canada could be blocked because his mood happened to swing that way at the moment?

Is the government being inconsistent, or does it simply not mean what it says?