House of Commons Hansard #88 of the 45th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was benefits.
This summary is computer-generated. Usually it’s accurate, but every now and then it’ll contain inaccuracies or total fabrications.
Opposition Motion—Interim Federal Health Program Members debate a Conservative motion to review the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP), citing its quadrupled cost and projected rise to $1.5 billion by 2030. Conservatives argue the IFHP provides deluxe benefits to failed asylum claimants, while Canadians face healthcare crises. They propose restricting benefits to emergency care and expelling foreign criminals. Liberals condemn the motion as divisive and fearmongering, highlighting government reforms like copayments and Bill C-12. Bloc and NDP members oppose the motion, stressing federal processing backlogs and humanitarian obligations, while criticizing Liberal copayments. 47500 words, 6 hours in 2 segments: 1 2.
Similarities Between Bill C-2 and Bill C-12—Speaker's Ruling The Speaker rules on a point of order concerning the similarity of government Bills C-2 and C-12. The Speaker allows Bill C-2 to proceed due to its broader scope, despite acknowledging extensive overlap. 1000 words, 10 minutes.
Sergei Magnitsky International Anti-Corruption and Human Rights Act Second reading of Bill C-219. The bill strengthens Canada's sanctions regime against human rights abuses, foreign corruption, and transnational repression. It seeks to define transnational repression, ban sanctioned officials' family members, and revoke broadcasting licenses for state-controlled media from regimes committing atrocities. While supported, Members express concerns regarding the safety of political prisoners' families and administrative burdens, aiming for amendments in committee. 7400 words, 1 hour.
Immigration, Refugees and CitizenshipOral Questions
The Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia
I am not sure that word falls on an official list of unparliamentary language, but anything that creates disorder is unparliamentary, so I will ask the hon. member to continue but to please not use incendiary language.
Michelle Rempel Conservative Calgary Nose Hill, AB
Mr. Speaker, the justice minister made light of the crisis that Canada's immigration system is facing in Canada.
I have to ask the immigration minister this: How does she feel about having to clean up the mess of a man who made the mess and failed upwards in the government?
Immigration, Refugees and CitizenshipOral Questions
Brampton North—Caledon Ontario
Liberal
Ruby Sahota LiberalSecretary of State (Combatting Crime)
Mr. Speaker, throughout question period and throughout the debate in the House today, we have heard immigrants and refugee and asylum claimants linked to criminals and be told that their claims are all bogus. This is false.
When someone's case is determined to be invalid, when the process is complete, their work permit is cancelled, and so is their health care. The Conservatives are just trying to divide Canadians. They are not trying to improve health care by any means. If they were, they would have voted for dental care. They would not be creating two-tier systems in provinces across this country. They are not concerned about—
Immigration, Refugees and CitizenshipOral Questions
James Maloney Liberal Etobicoke—Lakeshore, ON
Mr. Speaker, today marks the fourth anniversary of Russia's barbaric and illegal invasion of Ukraine. As we sit in the House, our friends in Ukraine continue to make sacrifices as they bravely fight for their freedom.
Can the Minister of Foreign Affairs share with the House how Canada is working to support Ukraine and Ukrainians in their time of need?
Anita Anand LiberalMinister of Foreign Affairs
Mr. Speaker, on this, the fourth anniversary of the illegal further invasion by Russia of Ukraine, Canada continues to stand with Ukraine in the short and the long term. This morning, I announced $20 million in supports for Ukraine's energy infrastructure. In addition, this brings our total investment and supports for Ukraine to $25.5 billion. Canada stands with Ukraine and makes sure that we are there with our allies so Ukraine can fight and win this war.
Slava Ukraini.
Garnett Genuis Conservative Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB
Mr. Speaker, young people in Canada today are worse off than their parents' generation. They cannot find jobs, and they cannot afford homes. The pain that young people face is leading to delayed family formation and to increasing hopelessness. An RBC poll out today shows that two-thirds of millennials are anxious about their financial future, and more than half are concerned about current cash flow. It is not like it was 10 years ago.
Will the Liberals now listen to young people and reverse course on policies that have blocked opportunity for the next generation?
Anna Gainey LiberalSecretary of State (Children and Youth)
Mr. Speaker, the government is there in support of all Canadians, including with a first-time homebuyer's tax credit and a number of other measures to increase affordability and build homes at scale. That is just one of the many ways that we are there. We are investing in apprenticeships, in job training and in Canada summer jobs.
There is a great deal of opportunity and investment, and it would be great to have the Conservatives cease their obstruction, in particular on the national school food program work at committee, which they have continued to filibuster, and get onside.
Garnett Genuis Conservative Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB
Mr. Speaker, actually, at that committee, Liberals are opposing our efforts to study food inflation, which is more than double what it is in other jurisdictions, and their budget is weakening training by defunding career colleges.
We have put constructive proposals on the table to unleash the economy, to fix immigration, to fix training and to build homes where the jobs are. Liberals could simply take our good ideas instead of doubling down on failure, defunding students at career colleges and continuing to block development that creates jobs and opportunity.
Why are they unwilling to take the solutions we have offered? Why instead are they standing in the way of progress for young people?
Anna Gainey LiberalSecretary of State (Children and Youth)
Mr. Speaker, we are giving Canadians a boost across this country, up to 12 million of them, with the grocery benefit, which will reach families with up to $1,900 this year to give them a boost.
I was at the Daily Bread Food Bank in Etobicoke recently. They were very happy about this increased GST rebate, as well as with the national school food program, which we are using to fight food insecurity. We are investing in greenhouses and a national strategy on food security.
Again, it would be great to have the member's collaboration to fight food insecurity together in the House.
Carol Anstey Conservative Long Range Mountains, NL
Mr. Speaker, a recent poll by the Royal Bank of Canada shows that 64% of millennials are worried about their future, 57% have little or no money left at the end of the month, and four in 10 fear that they will never pay off their debts. In Newfoundland and Labrador, the aspiration of home ownership has been the cornerstone of community stability and has long been within reach, but after 11 Liberal years of rising house costs, inflationary deficits and higher taxes, young Canadians are being locked out of the dream of home ownership.
When will the government finally lower costs and create an economy in which young Canadians can afford to live?
Joanne Thompson LiberalMinister of Fisheries
Mr. Speaker, the member likes to stand in the House and talk about what she feels her constituents need, but she actually needs to talk to them and ask whether building houses matters in her riding, whether supports for rural communities matter in her riding, as well as $10-a-day child care and the school food program. I know these things matter too for the constituents in her riding, because they talk to me.
Carol Anstey Conservative Long Range Mountains, NL
Mr. Speaker, if Liberal programs worked, young Canadians would be getting ahead, not watching the dream of home ownership slip further away. According to CREA, the average sale price in St. John's has increased by nearly 10% from 2024 to 2025. This generation has done everything right. They should be building wealth and home ownership, but instead they are falling further behind, and they are losing hope.
How much worse does affordability have to get before the government lowers costs and makes it possible for young Canadians to build a future in this country?
Joanne Thompson LiberalMinister of Fisheries
Mr. Speaker, I am going to remind the member from Newfoundland and Labrador that she needs to read budget 2025, because in that budget, she will notice that there are strong supports for youth across this country and within our province, opportunities for them to further their education. There are programs that build houses, affordable houses in communities, and that build this country through major projects that will see young people working. Home ownership will follow. The member needs to read the budget.
Scot Davidson Conservative New Tecumseth—Gwillimbury, ON
Mr. Speaker, it is unbelievable. Only 269 new homes were sold in the GTA last month. It is the worst ever on record for new home sales, but it is not because Canadians do not want to buy; it is because they cannot afford the homes being built. The Liberals' failure to address out-of-control immigration, rising inflation and red tape has resulted in an entire generation being priced out of the market.
Why is the government making it so hard for Canadians to afford a home?
Gregor Robertson LiberalMinister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada
Mr. Speaker, the government is focused on making housing more affordable across the board, starting with our first-time homebuyers getting a tax break. Build Canada Homes has almost 9,000 homes now in development in cities across the country. Supportive housing was announced last week in B.C., with 700 homes for those who are at risk of homelessness.
We are delivering. We need support from the opposition on the Build Canada Homes act to go further.
Scot Davidson Conservative New Tecumseth—Gwillimbury, ON
Mr. Speaker, you are not delivering. Young Canadians are flat broke—
HousingOral Questions
The Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia
I am going to take that personally. Speak through the Chair, please.
The hon. member for New Tecumseth—Gwillimbury.
Scot Davidson Conservative New Tecumseth—Gwillimbury, ON
Mr. Speaker, young Canadians are flat broke and falling behind, with 57% reporting that they have no money left at the end of the month. Four in 10 fear they will never pay off their debt. They have one foot in the grave and one on a banana peel. Canadians are draining their savings while their dreams of owning a home, starting a family and building a secure life have been shattered.
Instead of making things even worse, when will the Liberal government lower costs so young Canadians can afford to live?
Gregor Robertson LiberalMinister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada
Mr. Speaker, that is what Build Canada Homes is all about. We have a plan to deliver. We are delivering, and the experts are weighing in on this. The Canadian Housing and Renewal Association said it clearly: Build Canada Homes is “an important step toward addressing the housing crisis—building homes at speed and scale, ensuring affordability, and listening to the community housing sector.” We have an opportunity to deliver for Canadians. The whole House should stand in unison to support the Build Canada Homes act.
Vincent Ho Conservative Richmond Hill South, ON
Mr. Speaker, the dream of home ownership has been shattered by a decade of Liberal policies and rhetoric. Only 269 new homes were sold in the entire Toronto area in January. Sales are down 36% from last year and are 80% below the 10-year average. The last time it was this bad was the early 1990s.
The Prime Minister promised to “build, baby, build”, but the only thing the Liberal government seems able to build is more office space for more bureaucrats for more layers of bureaucracy.
When will the Liberal government stop obstructing builders, stop doubling down on failed policies and finally scrap the GST on all new homes?
David McGuinty LiberalMinister of National Defence
Mr. Speaker, this morning we announced a phase two addition of 7,500 new residential units in 25 locations across the country. Already, more than 800 new residential housing units are under way. The shovels are in the ground. For Valcartier, Petawawa and Edmonton, there are 1,000 new units; for Kingston, 900 new units; and for Gagetown, 500 new units.
We are delivering for the Canadian Armed Forces, and we are delivering for our economy.
Éric Lefebvre Conservative Richmond—Arthabaska, QC
Mr. Speaker, the initial budget for the Cúram software was $1.6 billion, but it ended up costing $6.6 billion. That is a $5-billion cost overrun. What did the government House leader tell us yesterday? He called it a success story. That is what he said.
Who in the Liberal cabinet is going to take responsibility for this financial fiasco? Who is going to take care of the 78,000 seniors who are waiting for their cheques? Nobody. That is Liberal leadership. Nobody is handling this file.
Steven MacKinnon LiberalMinister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, I know why my colleague is in the House of Commons: Unfortunately, theatre school did not work out.
The fact remains that, as the Prime Minister has said, as ministers have said and as every person responsible for this system has said, we have a technological implementation. This is a massive project to replace outdated systems. It is on budget and it is working. The bugs will be fixed. I invite my colleague to send them to me.
Gérard Deltell Conservative Louis-Saint-Laurent—Akiawenhrahk, QC
Mr. Speaker, this issue concerns 85,000 seniors in Canada who are currently having trouble with what is essentially their one and only source of income. That is the problem. This situation is affecting 85,000 people.
Yesterday, the Minister of Transport said that there were only a few cases, but the number is 85,000. He said, “It is a success story”, but there are 85,000 cases. This is Liberal arrogance at its ugliest. Now the Prime Minister just said earlier, “end of story”.
Can the Prime Minister, who is a very honourable man, stand up and admit that he made a mistake?