House of Commons Hansard #81 of the 45th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was questions.
This summary is computer-generated. Usually it’s accurate, but every now and then it’ll contain inaccuracies or total fabrications.
Standing Orders and Procedure Members debate reforms to the House's Standing Orders and procedures. Proposals include lengthening Question Period exchanges, restoring the Speaker's right of recognition, and reforming committee chair elections. They also discuss abolishing the morning prayer, limiting the Senate's ability to obstruct private members' bills, and restoring voice voting. Concerns are raised about the "weaponization" of the Conflict of Interest Code and the abuse of parliamentary privilege. 20300 words, 2 hours in 2 segments: 1 2.
Ukrainian Heritage Month Act Second reading of Bill S-210. The bill seeks to designate September as Ukrainian heritage month across Canada, recognizing the significant contributions of Ukrainian Canadians to the country's history, culture, and identity. Speakers from various parties highlighted the pioneer spirit of early Ukrainian immigrants, their service in the armed forces, and the resilience of the community in the face of historical and ongoing challenges. 5000 words, 35 minutes.
Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands—Rideau Lakes, ON
Madam Speaker, President Trump slapped unjustified tariffs on Canadian autos, and thousands of Ontarians were put out of work as a result. Canadians need a plan that supports Canadian manufacturing and Canadian jobs. Only one Canadian vehicle qualifies for the Liberal EV subsidy, and that does not meet the moment.
Will the government work with Conservatives, adopt our plan and take the tax off Canadian-made autos to support Canadian auto manufacturing?
Julie Dabrusin LiberalMinister of the Environment
Madam Speaker, Canadians understand that we are facing an unprecedented time. It is a rupture. We are facing unjustified tariffs from the United States, which the Conservatives never talk about. However, we understand the impact on our workers. In fact, the auto strategy announced yesterday included supports for our auto workers, including things like work-sharing, because we understand their needs and are there by their side.
We are there not only for this tough time; we are also there to build for the future, to make sure workers have the jobs of the future. We are going to keep working for a strong auto industry. Why will the Conservatives not?
Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands—Rideau Lakes, ON
Madam Speaker, let me say it a little louder for the minister: We are talking about it, about unjustified tariffs coming from the Trump administration. What we want from the minister and from the government is a plan that actually supports Canadian auto manufacturing. The Liberals' plan is going to help with only one Canadian production line. We want to take the tax off all Canadian-made autos.
Why do the Liberals want to subsidize President Trump's manufacturing strategy instead of supporting the hard-working men and women in Ontario's manufacturing?
Carlos Leitão LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Industry
Madam Speaker, finally our friends from the other side acknowledge and recognize that the issues with the auto industry come from the U.S. tariffs. It is the first time I hear this from their side. It is about time.
Besides that, as I said, we are going to invest in companies that invest in Canada, in those that commit to Canada. By the way, currently, the two largest auto manufacturers in Canada are Toyota and Honda, and they remain fully committed to operating here.
Kathy Borrelli Conservative Windsor—Tecumseh—Lakeshore, ON
Madam Speaker, yesterday's announcement of a new national automotive strategy was nothing more than a slap in the face to Windsor's auto workers. The Prime Minister proudly announced that Canadians will now be subsidizing American-made vehicles.
Why do the Liberals think that it is better to subsidize foreign-made vehicles rather than to adopt the Conservative plan to cut the tax on cars made in Windsor, in Canada?
Carlos Leitão LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Industry
Madam Speaker, I do not know how to say this with parliamentary decorum, but that is just not true.
Yesterday's announcement confirms our commitment to our industry, and it confirms our assistance to companies that invest in Canada. There are very large companies that have currently committed to investing in Canada and will continue to do so. In order to promote that investment, that is what we announced yesterday, and it will work very well if—
Automotive IndustryOral Questions
The Assistant Deputy Speaker (Alexandra Mendès) Alexandra Mendes
The hon. member for Windsor—Tecumseh—Lakeshore has the floor.
Kathy Borrelli Conservative Windsor—Tecumseh—Lakeshore, ON
Madam Speaker, I am not sure if the member across the aisle understands my question. Five thousand Canadian auto workers lost their job. The government's response is to hand out subsidies for American-built electric vehicles.
I am imploring the member across the aisle to answer the question: Instead of subsidizing foreign-made cars and killing Canadian auto jobs, will the Liberals adopt our Conservative plan to take the tax off cars made in Canada?
Julie Dabrusin LiberalMinister of the Environment
Madam Speaker, time and time again what we hear from the other side is that they actually have no plan.
Yesterday we presented a comprehensive auto strategy. It will help to reduce our emissions. It will help to support Canadians who want to buy EVs. The rebates specifically take into account a made-in-Canada component. There is also a component to support our auto workers in this time when they are facing the brunt of the unjustified tariffs from the United States.
More than that, we are standing side by side with the workers in our auto industry to build the industry for the future. Why will the Conservatives not?
Jamie Schmale Conservative Haliburton—Kawartha Lakes, ON
Madam Speaker, since 2016, auto production in Canada has collapsed from 2.3 million vehicles to just 1.2 million vehicles. We have lost over 5,000 auto jobs, including thousands in Oshawa and Brampton. Now the Liberals want to spend up to $2.3 billion in taxpayer money subsidizing foreign-made electric vehicles, many built in the United States, while Canadian plants sit idle.
Instead of supporting manufacturing elsewhere, will the Liberals adopt our Conservative plan to take the tax off Canadian-made vehicles?
Kevin Lamoureux LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
Madam Speaker, the Conservatives just do not get it. We are positioning Canada to be a global leader. It is important that the Conservative Party members recognize the need for Canada to act. One of the ways they can do that is to stop the filibustering on our budget implementation bill. If they want to deliver something for Canadians today, the best thing they can do is stand in their place—
Automotive IndustryOral Questions
The Assistant Deputy Speaker (Alexandra Mendès) Alexandra Mendes
Order, please, so the hon. member can answer and we can go through question period.
Kevin Lamoureux Liberal Winnipeg North, MB
Madam Speaker, let me give a clear message: If Conservatives want to help Canadians, it is time to stop filibustering and to allow the budget—
Automotive IndustryOral Questions
The Assistant Deputy Speaker (Alexandra Mendès) Alexandra Mendes
The hon. member for Rimouski—La Matapédia.
Maxime Blanchette-Joncas Bloc Rimouski—La Matapédia, QC
Madam Speaker, the scientific community is concerned. The Liberals are cutting 20 jobs in my riding at the Maurice Lamontagne Institute in Mont-Joli, a major regional hub for science and a jewel of oceanography research.
This alarming loss of expertise is jeopardizing the scientific and economic development of our regions. It is also reducing Fisheries and Oceans Canada's research capacity and ability to act on evidence-based data, which is already a serious problem at the department.
Can we really afford to pinch a few pennies by cutting back on science?
Heath MacDonald LiberalMinister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
Madam Speaker, it is an important issue. Science has played an integral role in the building up of agriculture and agri-food in this country, and it is going to continue.
I had the opportunity to meet with the president of the University of Saskatchewan, just this week. I was in Laval, at the university there, as well. We had good discussions. It is important that we move forward with a revised science program, and we will continue to do that.
Maxime Blanchette-Joncas Bloc Rimouski—La Matapédia, QC
Madam Speaker, the cuts to science keep mounting. On top of the 20 positions that were cut at the Maurice Lamontagne Institute, more than 1,000 employees across Canada are being affected by other cuts to agricultural research. The agricultural research centre in Quebec City is being shut down after nearly 60 years of operation. The unions are calling out this major loss of expertise. Honestly, the situation reminds us of the how the Harper government once muzzled science.
In economic times that demand reinvention and economic stimulation, how can the Liberals possibly make cuts to science?
Heath MacDonald LiberalMinister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
Madam Speaker, we are spending less to invest more in science in this country. Science is extremely important. It is extremely important for trade. We are maintaining our presence in every single province, and we remain the largest agriculture institution in this country. By streamlining research and development, we can build a strong, resilient future for science.
Luc Berthold Conservative Mégantic—L’Érable—Lotbinière, QC
Madam Speaker, this Prime Minister wanted to dazzle Canadians with his grand promises to build on a scale never before seen in Canada, but it was all just an illusion. What has he really accomplished?
He promised an agreement with President Trump, but tariffs have increased. He promised homes, but he created offices for civil servants. He promised to accelerate major projects, but there is not a single shovel in the ground. The results are disappointing. Canada lost 28,000 manufacturing jobs in January. Workers in small and medium-sized businesses in the regions are the ones paying the price.
Instead of giving up, will this Prime Minister work with the Conservatives to restore Canadian sovereignty?
Leslie Church LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Secretaries of State for Labour
Madam Speaker, as my colleague noted earlier, overall employment has been up over the past 12 months and wages continue to rise. These are proof points of an economic plan that is in action, but this is not over.
The government brought forward this fall our economic plan in our budget, Bill C-15, which is before the House. It would create tens of thousands of jobs, jobs in the skilled trades. It would bring forward tax cuts that would grow our economy and increase investment. It would create major new investments in housing, in infrastructure, and in some of the largest projects this country has seen.
When will the Conservatives put those small differences aside, start cheering for Canada—
EmploymentOral Questions
The Assistant Deputy Speaker (Alexandra Mendès) Alexandra Mendes
The hon. member for Mégantic—L'Érable—Lotbinière.
Luc Berthold Conservative Mégantic—L’Érable—Lotbinière, QC
Madam Speaker, we see their plan. We know how they plan to get Bill C-15 adopted. They are the ones who proposed the deadline. They are the ones who proposed the schedule and they are accusing us of obstruction. That is ridiculous.
What has really happened since they got here? Some $58 billion in investments have left Canada for the United States, including the Brookfield headquarters. What a coincidence. Some 51,000 manufacturing jobs were lost last year.
Will the Prime Minister support our bill on Canadian sovereignty to reward those who build our economy, instead of remaining passive and making things up while our jobs are moving to the United States?
Carlos Leitão LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Industry
Madam Speaker, the short answer is no. We will not support our colleagues' motion. At least that is clear.
The Canadian economy is going through an extremely complex period triggered by the U.S. tariffs and trade war.
The Canadian economy is showing incredible resilience. The same problems exist around the world and the Canadian economy has shown that it has the capacity to adapt to these major geopolitical changes. That is what we are doing. To reach our goal more effectively, we need the budget, so let us work together—