House of Commons Hansard #78 of the 45th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was prices.
This summary is computer-generated. Usually it’s accurate, but every now and then it’ll contain inaccuracies or total fabrications.
Opposition Motion—Food Affordability Members debate Canada's high food inflation, the highest in the G7. Conservatives attribute rising grocery costs to Liberal "hidden taxes" on farmers, fuel, and packaging, advocating their removal and increased competition. Liberals contend global factors like climate change and supply chain disruptions are primary drivers, highlighting immediate relief through the Canada groceries and essentials benefit and long-term food security strategies. Other parties emphasize grocery sector competition and the Bloc calls for OAS benefit increases. 48800 words, 6 hours in 2 segments: 1 2.
Use of Federal Lands for Veterans Liberal MP Alana Hirtle moves a motion for a committee to study using underused federal lands for veteran services and housing. Liberals call it a strategic approach for future veteran needs. Conservatives and NDP criticize it as a delay, urging immediate action and highlighting government failures. The Bloc questions the House instructing a committee. 8500 words, 1 hour.
Adam Chambers Conservative Simcoe North, ON
Mr. Speaker, of course we denounce those tariffs, but with all due respect to the minister, she has had 10 years with her Liberal colleagues to protect the auto sector here in Canada. Now it is being reported that the government is going to reintroduce subsidies for Canadians to purchase electric vehicles. Really?
Does the government really think the way to save Canada's auto sector is to give taxpayers' money to Canadians to buy Chinese electric vehicles?
Mélanie Joly LiberalMinister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions
Mr. Speaker, what is clear from the government is that, notwithstanding the U.S. tariffs, after 10 years, we were able to create 3,000 new jobs at the Windsor NextStar battery plant, which the Conservatives are against. Why are are they against 3,000 jobs in Windsor? We were also able to create 4,000 jobs in St. Thomas in a Conservative riding. Why are they against it? Why are we not all working together to make sure we are attracting new investment in the auto sector? Meanwhile, we are working with the Province of Ontario on a great auto strategy.
Rhonda Kirkland Conservative Oshawa, ON
Mr. Speaker, in 2016, Canada assembled 2.3 million cars. By 2025, that number collapsed to 1.2 million. Under the Liberal government, Canada's auto industry has been cut in half, and on Friday, 1,200 more auto workers in Oshawa worked their last shift. The Prime Minister promised Canadians he was the one to be trusted to get us a deal.
Instead of saying “who cares”, will the Prime Minister commit to protecting Canada's auto industry and getting Oshawa's auto workers their jobs back?
Mélanie Joly LiberalMinister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions
Mr. Speaker, who will get Oshawa's auto workers' jobs back? My colleague is misleading the House, because what she is missing in the Trillium report she is referring to is that in 2016, Japanese automakers were responsible for 44% of auto production in Canada. At this point, it is now 77%. We will invest in those who invest in us, and we will support those who are making sure our auto workers are at work.
Rhonda Kirkland Conservative Oshawa, ON
Mr. Speaker, the minister has sat at the cabinet table for more than 10 years, and under her watch, the Liberal government has deindustrialized Canada, leaving the auto industry to be sacrificed to the U.S. Her inconsistent answers, from suing auto manufacturers to saying the government is getting its money back or restricting GM's access to the Canadian market, only continue to fuel the uncertainty that auto workers across Canada are feeling.
Will the Prime Minister act now and tell auto workers in Oshawa and across Canada how they are going to get their jobs back?
Dominic LeBlanc LiberalPresident of the King’s Privy Council for Canada and Minister responsible for Canada-U.S. Trade
Mr. Speaker, perhaps I will be allowed to add my voice to other colleagues and say how happy I am to see former prime minister Stephen Harper in Ottawa today. I had the privilege of serving in the House when Mr. Harper was Prime Minister of Canada for nine years, and it is a privilege to see him in good health and smiling in Ottawa today.
With respect to supporting the auto industry, I also remember, as an opposition MP, even in the far corner over there in the third party, Mr. Harper and his ministers supporting the auto industry at an important moment in our history, and that is exactly what our government will continue to do, as the former prime minister did in those years as well.
Arpan Khanna Conservative Oxford, ON
Mr. Speaker, Canada once built over two million vehicles in a single year, but under the Liberals, that is now down to 1.2 million. That is nearly half, and as production drops, 1,200 more auto workers in Oshawa worked their last shifts just this last week. CAMI workers who lost their jobs are now getting heavily taxed payouts, and they are struggling to make ends meet while their plant sits idle. There is no production. There is no timeline, and there is no support.
After destroying Canada's auto industry, when will the Liberals finally stand up for auto workers?
John Zerucelli LiberalSecretary of State (Labour)
Mr. Speaker, I have met with Unifor in that member's riding, and I will tell members something that the auto workers told me. They told me they want opportunities. They want opportunities to grow the economy, and that is what we are doing. Since we were elected last year, we have created about 180,000 jobs. Wages are rising. Inflation is within the Bank of Canada's target range. The Prime Minister is focused on building bold and building new opportunities with Canadian steel and Canadian lumber, working with unionized workers. We are investing in infrastructure, growing key industries and investing in trade so Canadian businesses can create new opportunities. Canada has one of the strongest economies in the G7.
Arpan Khanna Conservative Oxford, ON
Mr. Speaker, auto workers in my riding want their jobs back. Auto workers have kept our country moving for generations. They are hard-working, they are tough and they are highly skilled, but the government keeps selling them out. We need Canadian cars made with Canadian steel and made by Canadian workers. The Liberals promised a deal. They promised they would defend Canadian jobs, but we are seeing job losses right across our country.
How many more auto workers have to lose their livelihoods before the government starts putting Canada's jobs first?
John Zerucelli LiberalSecretary of State (Labour)
Mr. Speaker, we are fighting for those auto workers every single day. Those workers want us to work together, and that is exactly what Prime Minister Carney's plan delivers. Time and time again—
Automotive IndustryOral Questions
The Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia
I think the member knows, and he clearly did not mean to do that, I hope.
John Zerucelli Liberal Etobicoke North, ON
Mr. Speaker, the Conservatives are obstructing the Prime Minister's plan. Time and time again, the Conservatives vote “no”. They block projects, delay progress and stand in the way of the very things that their constituents want. We want to build this country: build big and build bold. The Conservatives are standing in the way. When will they get on side?
Kathy Borrelli Conservative Windsor—Tecumseh—Lakeshore, ON
Mr. Speaker, 1,200 more auto workers in Oshawa just lost their jobs. Brampton workers are still waiting on the Liberals to respond to their 3,000 jobs that were lost. Windsor thrives on auto manufacturing and now we are left worried about our future. The Liberals promised a deal for Canadians. They promised to defend Canadian jobs, but every week, the government fails on all accounts.
When will the Liberals stop their pointless photo ops and get real results for the thousands of auto workers who have lost their jobs?
Evan Solomon LiberalMinister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
Mr. Speaker, here is some breaking news for the opposition: We are in a trade war. Illegal and unjustified tariffs are taking those jobs, and this party is fighting for those jobs and investing in the auto sector. Do members know how to fight for Canadians? We fight for auto jobs. We cut taxes for 22 million Canadians. We boost the GST rebate, helping to put food on the table. We build affordable homes. We invest in defence, child care and pharmacare. That is how we fight for Canada. We believe in Canada. We build in Canada. We buy in Canada. The Conservatives should try it.
Gérard Deltell Conservative Louis-Saint-Laurent—Akiawenhrahk, QC
Mr. Speaker, the forestry sector is very important to Quebec's economy. Some 57,000 people work in the forestry in Quebec. Unfortunately, the news is bad.
A few days ago, we found out that Domtar is closing its Outardes sawmill on the north shore. In Amos, in Abitibi, 100 people will be losing their jobs at the Arbec plant. That is the reality today. We need positive and constructive measures that produce real results.
Why is the government unable to deliver real results for the Canadian economy?
Mélanie Joly LiberalMinister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions
Mr. Speaker, clearly the people who work in the lumber and forestry sector are affected by the tariff war. That is why we have introduced several important measures. My colleague, the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, is working on a plan.
In the meantime, we have measures through the Business Development Bank of Canada, or BDC, and through Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions.
I have a great deal of respect for my colleague and would even call him a friend. I would be happy to work with him on specific cases, because we have to be there for workers in Quebec's forestry sector.
Gérard Deltell Conservative Louis-Saint-Laurent—Akiawenhrahk, QC
Mr. Speaker, I would also like to tell the minister, whom I might call a friend, that, unfortunately, the policies are not working. Quebeckers want results, not just lip service. I would like to remind her that her Prime Minister said that he was going to fix the tariffs by July 21. The tariffs on wood are 45%.
Are you looking for ideas? I have a few: reduce bureaucracy, eliminate anti-development laws and lower industrial taxes. Will you do that to deliver actual good results?
Forestry IndustryOral Questions
The Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia
Again, questions must be directed through the Chair.
The hon. Minister of Industry.
Mélanie Joly LiberalMinister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions
Mr. Speaker, I listened to my colleague and, quite frankly, we are already doing many of the things he suggested, including cutting red tape. I find it fascinating that the Conservatives never, ever criticize any of the messaging that comes out of the White House.
They will never say the tariffs are unjustifiable and unjustified. They will never say there is a trade war. They will never say the victims of this trade war are the people who work in the softwood lumber sector, the aluminum sector, the steel sector and, of course, the automotive sector.
The question is, why?
Michael Coteau Liberal Scarborough—Woburn, ON
Mr. Speaker, as members of Parliament we have a responsibility to help build an economy where everyone has the opportunity to find success. While some Conservatives continue to dismiss diversity, equity and inclusion, the government knows that empowering under-represented entrepreneurs strengthens communities and helps build a stronger Canada.
As we mark the beginning of Black History Month, can the minister responsible for small business speak to the government's programs to support Black entrepreneurs and help start and grow their businesses?
Diversity and InclusionOral Questions
Mississauga—Streetsville Ontario
Liberal
Rechie Valdez LiberalMinister of Women and Gender Equality and Secretary of State (Small Business and Tourism)
Mr. Speaker, Canada's commitment to inclusion and equality is embedded in our charter, a commitment we reaffirm as we celebrate and mark Black History Month.
Through the Black entrepreneurship program, the government is giving Black entrepreneurs the tools they need to scale and grow their businesses. To date, we have supported over 24,000 Black entrepreneurs across this country, who are creating jobs and really building this country strong. We are building on that success by extending the program and investing $189 million. While the Conservatives question the value of inclusion, we will unite and empower all Canadians.
Michelle Rempel Conservative Calgary Nose Hill, AB
Mr. Speaker, the Liberals issued millions of temporary resident permits in the last five years. The results are that rents have skyrocketed, emergency rooms are overflowing and Canada's youth jobs crisis is the worst it has ever been. Some 1.5 million temporary residents had their permits expire last year. That is more than the entire population of Calgary.
I have a simple question: Can the Minister of Immigration tell the House how many of these folks have actually left the country, as the law requires them to do?
Lena Metlege Diab LiberalMinister of Immigration
Mr. Speaker, Canadians gave the government a clear mandate to bring sustainability to our immigration system. We have been clear that we are reducing the temporary resident population. Our student numbers are down. Our worker numbers are down. The temporary resident population fell by 176,000, and our asylum numbers are down by a third. We will stick to our targets. We will enforce our rules so that our immigration system works for Canadians, for newcomers and for our businesses.
Michelle Rempel Conservative Calgary Nose Hill, AB
Mr. Speaker, I had a sneaking suspicion the minister would not answer that one, because she actually boasted in the Canadian press that they brought in millions of temporary residents with no way to track if they would leave. Worse, the minister has signed off on bringing in hundreds of thousands more temporary residents this year without knowing if they will leave.
At the end of this year, three million temporary residents will have had their visas expire. That is roughly the population of Toronto. If the minister has no idea if millions of temporary residents have left, why is she still issuing new permits?