Debates of March 23rd, 2026

Natural Resources

[Shuv Majumdar, Conservative, Calgary Heritage, AB]

Mr. Speaker, the Financial Times reports that LNG flows from the gulf could be disrupted within days with a glut of demand, a European fuel shortage, Beijing's control over rare earth minerals and Russia's leverage over energy.

The world is now scrambling for everything Canada has. Alberta's 158 billion barrels of oil and enough natural gas to power the world for 200 years is landlocked. KXL, energy east and northern gateway with $55 billion in growth are gone; $11 billion a year from LNG alone is gone; while $670 billion in projects and generational jobs is gone. Imagine a country this vast in resources, yet half of its people live paycheque to paycheque.

We should not be strengthening Beijing's new world order. We should be replacing it instead with one underpinned by Canadian resources.

We do not need bureaucracy; we need projects. We do not need platitudes; we need decisions. We do not need middling thinking; we need the strength and ambition of a major power right now.

Innovation and Defence

[Linda Lapointe, Liberal, Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, QC]

Mr. Speaker, when we talk about national defence, we are talking about our armed forces. However, we also need to talk about our businesses, our regions and our ability to innovate.

SMEs, research centres and entrepreneurs in the Laurentians want to contribute to Canada's defence industrial strategy and the major investments that were announced. These investments are creating practical opportunities to innovate, co-operate and strengthen our national security. It is with that in mind that Connexion Laurentides will be hosting an innovation and defence event on March 31 in Mirabel, with the help of several local MPs, including the members for Thérèse-De Blainville, Les Pays-d'en-Haut, Argenteuil—La Petite-Nation and, of course, Rivière-des-Mille-Îles.

I invite businesses and MPs to participate so that they can find out about all of the business opportunities that are available and take advantage of them. That is how we are building a stronger economy and strengthening our Canadian sovereignty.

Sudbury East—Manitoulin—Nickel Belt

[Jim Belanger, Conservative, Sudbury East—Manitoulin—Nickel Belt, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to welcome two constituents from my part of northern Ontario, who join us today from Espanola: Matthew Hannah and his mother, Rebecca. I first met Matthew at a meet-and-greet where he impressed me with his strong knowledge of Canada's parliamentary democracy and its leaders, past and present. From a young age, Matthew has shown a genuine passion for Canadian politics and has already become an active political volunteer with a deep respect for our democratic institutions.

As he experiences Parliament first-hand, I want to thank Matthew and all young volunteers for their dedication to our democracy.

I would like to wish them a wonderful day in our nation's capital.

Rodger Brulotte

[Sébastien Lemire, Bloc, Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC]

Mr. Speaker, for decades, summer in Quebec had a soundtrack: the subtle buzz of lights, the crack of a bat, the snapping of a leather glove and Rodger Brulotte's unique voice. He brought the melody of baseball to the soul of Quebeckers.

Rodger Brulotte, a proud ambassador for our Expos, has passed away. Starting out on radio, then moving on to TV, Rodger was the voice of baseball in Quebec for more than 40 years. He has also left his mark on amateur baseball in Quebec, in the charities he supported, in his columns and in the hearts of an entire nation. We had hoped he could be with us when our Expos finally make their comeback.

On behalf of the Bloc Québécois, I offer my deepest condolences to his spouse, Pascale, his loved ones and all sports fans. A part of Rodger Brulotte will always be with us as long as our children continue to walk up to home plate with determination. With sadness in our hearts, we must face the truth. Rodger has called his final home run.

Roland Dagenais

[Madeleine Chenette, Liberal, Thérèse-De Blainville, QC]

Mr. Speaker, today, I would like to pay tribute to a man who had a profound impact on the riding of Thérèse-De Blainville: Roland Dagenais, the founder of La Popote à Roland.

Mr. Dagenais was ordained as a priest in 1954, and he soon became a fixture in his community of Blainville. In 1977, he was very concerned to see that too many seniors were living in isolation, and so he and members of the parish launched a simple initiative that involved offering a warm meal and an opportunity for people to get together every week. Thus began La Popote à Roland. One Wednesday at lunchtime, I had a opportunity to drop in for a visit myself. It is easy to see why this organization is so important to local residents. Seniors gather there every week, and it obviously does them good.

Roland Dagenais was also an avid traveller. He travelled around the world, from Asia to South America, but he left one of his greatest legacies at home in Thérèse-De Blainville. For nearly 50 years, hundreds of seniors have been gathering there every week to share a lot more than just a meal. Today, we simply want to say thank you to him.

National Prayer Breakfast

[Richard Bragdon, Conservative, Tobique—Mactaquac, NB]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise in the House today as the chair of the 60th annual National Prayer Breakfast. This is truly a historic event that takes place on the Hill each year, where we gather in the spirit of Christ and pray for our country. This non-partisan Christian event is the highlight for many of us, and I am pleased to say that we had a record attendance.

This year's theme is that we are not alone, for we are assured that God is with us and that we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses, as is stated in scripture. It is a message that calls us to remember those who came before us, the enduring role of faith and the role it has played in shaping Canada's history, institutions and sense of service.

I offer a special thanks to my colleagues, as well as our staff, the volunteers and all the attendees who are praying with us either in person or from across the country. This event would not be possible without them.

We pray that Canada will continue to be the true north, strong and free. As our beloved national anthem declares, may God continue to “keep our land glorious and free”.

World Water Day

[Terry Duguid, Liberal, Winnipeg South, MB]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday was World Water Day, a moment to reflect on an extraordinary truth, which is that Canada is a water nation. We are home to 20% of the world's fresh water. This abundance shapes our lives, provides safe drinking water, sustains agriculture and fisheries, and supports our economy. For indigenous peoples, water holds deep cultural and spiritual meaning. For all Canadians, it is part of who we are, yet we have too often taken it for granted.

Climate change is bringing more floods and droughts, while pollution and invasive species threaten our waters. That is why we are taking action through the new Canada Water Agency and a strengthened freshwater action plan.

I want to recognize the Bruce fellows students at Toronto Metropolitan University who will be presenting a petition calling for a Canada water week. It is a reminder that the next generation is stepping forward to protect this vital resource, because protecting our water is a shared responsibility between this generation and those that follow.

International Day of La Francophonie

[Joël Godin, Conservative, Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC]

Mr. Speaker, French remains fragile, whether in culture, sports or our daily lives.

Friday, March 20, was the International Day of La Francophonie, an important time to celebrate the richness, vitality and diversity of the French language around the world. Although I am a little late in rising to acknowledge it today, the message remains the same: La Francophonie is about more than just a one-day to celebration. We need to live in French and defend the French language every day.

In francophone communities across Canada, French is much more than a means of communication. It is a source of identity and pride. We must take concrete, consistent and sincere steps to protect and promote French and foster its growth throughout the country.

French language and culture are a valued legacy, but they are also a shared responsibility. Let us therefore continue to speak French, work in French and promote our language with pride today, tomorrow and every day.

[Abdelhaq Sari, Liberal, Bourassa, QC]

Mr. Speaker, every year on March 20, we mark the International Day of La Francophonie. With over 320 million speakers worldwide, the French language serves as a bridge between communities, a source of cultural wealth and a driving force for international co-operation.

In Canada, and Quebec in particular, French lies at the heart of our identity. It shapes our culture, our history and our ability to live together in harmony. As the member of Parliament for Bourassa, I am proud to represent an area with a vibrant, diverse francophone community made up of active citizens from all sorts of backgrounds.

Today, let us celebrate the French language, but let us also remember our collective responsibility to protect, promote and showcase it both here and abroad. Preserving French means defending more than just words. It means protecting a way of thinking, living and laughing, with nuance, dignity and humanity.

The Economy

[Costas Menegakis, Conservative, Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill, ON]

Mr. Speaker, Canada has lost over 100,000 jobs in the first two months of this year. Canada is the only shrinking economy, and it has the second highest unemployment, the highest household debt and the highest food inflation in the G7. The Liberal Prime Minister cannot just blame global factors when the other members of the G7 are dealing with the same issues. These are problems the Liberals have created and that this Liberal Prime Minister has worsened. He is running the biggest deficit and the highest spending this country has ever seen outside of COVID, and the results are disappearing jobs and a shrinking economy.

He failed to unlock growth by killing anti-energy laws and red tape. He failed to approve a single new pipeline or major project, and he failed to secure a trade deal by his promised date, July 2025. The Liberals need to get out of the way so Canadians can get back to work. If this is the Prime Minister's version of economic success, Canadians truly cannot afford to see his version of failure.

Community Engagement in Burnaby Central

[Wade Chang, Liberal, Burnaby Central, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate the upcoming 95th birthday of Johnny Virani, a respected elder in Burnaby Central and the uncle of former minister of justice Arif Virani. Born in Uganda, his life is a testament to resilience, service and the lasting contribution of seniors to our communities. His legacy shows that our country is strengthened by the wisdom and dedication of those who came before us.

I also want to recognize a group of high school students visiting from British Columbia. Their presence in Ottawa demonstrates that our democracy thrives when young people engage, question and participate. At a time when anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, homophobia, racism, discrimination and misogyny are rising in Canada, Canada will look to young people to raise their voice, lead with purpose and bring people together. It is in this partnership between generations, where the wisdom of our seniors meets the courage of our youth, that we find our strength. We will build the Canada of tomorrow, united, with every generation shaping and moving forward as one.

Employment

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

Mr. Speaker, 108,000 full-time jobs were lost in the last month alone. We are losing jobs at speeds not seen in a generation. We have the only shrinking economy, the second-highest unemployment, the highest household debt and the highest food inflation in the G7. The Minister of AI blamed job numbers on the war in Iran. The Prime Minister says that they are not so bad.

People have had enough Liberal excuses. They want more Canadian jobs. Will the Liberals finally get out of the way so Canadians can get back to work?

[Steven MacKinnon, Liberal, Minister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, we will, of course, be answering all questions, but I first want to express my profound sadness and that of the entire House of Commons following today's accident at LaGuardia Airport involving an Air Canada Express aircraft.

On behalf of the Government of Canada, I want to extend my deepest condolences to the victims' families and loved ones, the injured and their families, and everyone concerned. As the Minister of Transport, I can say that my department works hard to ensure that every employee in the transportation sector gets home every night. When that does not happen, we look for answers. I can assure everyone that Canada is looking for answers. I have spoken to my American counterpart, and Canadians are at LaGuardia today to get to the bottom of this accident.

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

Mr. Speaker, Conservatives share our condolences as well.

On the issue of jobs, 108,000 full-time jobs and almost 50,000 youth jobs were lost in one month alone. The Liberal Prime Minister is responsible for generational deficits and generational job losses. Development is blocked, and not a single major project is approved.

This fall, I announced the Conservative jobs plan: unleashing the economy, fixing immigration, fixing training and building homes where the jobs are. After a year of failure, why will the Liberals not simply adopt the plan that we have already put forward?

[Steven MacKinnon, Liberal, Minister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, of course, we will be answering all the questions from the opposition today, but I first want to express my sincere condolences and shock, frankly, as well as that of all members of the House, after the incident that occurred late last evening at LaGuardia Airport involving an Air Canada Express aircraft. On behalf of the Government of Canada, I offer my sincere condolences to the families of the victims and all of the many people who will have been shaken and affected by this incident.

I have spoken with Secretary Duffy, my American counterpart. We will continue to work together to get to the bottom of this to find the answers that Canadians will be looking for. We will get those answers for them.

[Melissa Lantsman, Conservative, Thornhill, ON]

Mr. Speaker, nobody, not even the Liberal government, can sugar-coat the findings in the most recent jobs report. It revealed the largest collapse in full-time jobs since COVID. Over 100,000 jobs were lost, with a youth unemployment rate of 14% now. TD called it “weak”, while CIBC called it “very bad”, and BMO called it “simply brutal”.

However, it is more than just words. It is empty bank accounts, skipped meals and fleeting hope. We need action now. Will the government commit today to adopting our Conservative jobs plan to get the economy back on track and people back to work?

[François-Philippe Champagne, Liberal, Minister of Finance and National Revenue]

Mr. Speaker, it is shameful to see the Conservatives talking down the Canadian economy. Canadians are proud people. We have the most educated workforce in the world. We build ships, cars and planes. We have critical minerals, and we have energy. We are the only G7 country that has a trade agreement with all the other G7 nations.

On this side of the House, we are proud of our workers, we are proud of our industry and we believe in Canada.

[Melissa Lantsman, Conservative, Thornhill, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the only thing that is shameful is an answer like that from somebody who has been here for 10 years and whose government has created a homegrown problem with out-of-control taxes, out-of-control spending and mountains of red tape. Now we have the only shrinking economy in the G7, the second-highest unemployment rate, the highest household debt and the highest food inflation. Everyone else is dealing with the tariff war too.

When will the government admit that its policies are killing jobs and reverse course before it kills even more next month?

[Patty Hajdu, Liberal, Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario]

Mr. Speaker, it is almost as if the Conservatives do not understand that we are in a tariff war and that there is a war in the Middle East threatening the Canadian economy right now. We have been preparing to support workers in these turbulent times, but yet again, they vote against every measure we put forward for workers.

That is not what the Ontario government is saying. I was so proud to sign the Canada-Ontario workforce tariff response. In fact, we got support from Vic Fedeli, Mike Harris and Premier Ford.

The provinces are working with the federal government to take care of workers. All we hear from that side is their voting against workers time and again.

[Luc Berthold, Conservative, Mégantic—L’Érable—Lotbinière, QC]

Mr. Speaker, a year ago, this Liberal Prime Minister promised to reach an agreement with the Trump administration. He promised to create jobs and boost Canada's economy. Today, the cracks are showing in the Liberal veneer.

More than 108,000 Canadians have lost their jobs since the start of 2026. Canada has the second-worst unemployment rate and the worst food inflation in the G7. There is still no deal on tariffs. Canadian steel mills like Algoma Steel are shutting down. It has been a year, and the damage caused by the Liberals over the past 10 years continues.

When are the Liberals going to get rid of their taxes, their anti-development policies and bureaucracy so that Canadians can get to work?

[François-Philippe Champagne, Liberal, Minister of Finance and National Revenue]

Mr. Speaker, a question like that is not very polite.

Canadians are standing together and keeping their elbows up, and we, on this side of the House, are proud of this country. Canada has one of the most highly educated populations in the world. We are proud to build ships, planes and cars. We are proud of the Algoma Steel workers still on the job. We are proud to have critical minerals. We are proud to have energy. We are proud to be the only G7 country that has a free trade agreement with every G7 nation.

Instead of criticizing Canada, the member should stand up and take pride in this country, like we do.

[Luc Berthold, Conservative, Mégantic—L’Érable—Lotbinière, QC]

Mr. Speaker, after listening to the minister, it is clear that he is not proud of the Liberal's 10-year record on the economy. The Liberals like to blame everybody but themselves. That is what they do.

Still, all G7 countries are facing the same challenges. Why is Canada the only one whose economy is shrinking? Canada has the worst performance in the G7. The Liberals created these problems, and the current Liberal Prime Minister made them worse. Quebec lost 57,000 jobs in February alone, and Canada lost more than 100,000.

Why have the Liberals given Canada the absolute worst economy?

[Mélanie Joly, Liberal, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to correct something my colleague said. It is not true that Algoma Steel is shutting down. That would be an insult to all the employees, the more than 2,000 employees who are still working at Algoma in Sault Ste. Marie. The member should do his homework.

One thing is clear. We are going to bring jobs back to Algoma Steel. What I want to say to all Canadians watching us right now is that we have a solid plan. We have launched the defence industrial strategy, which is going to create 125,000 jobs in Canada. We will invest in our armed forces, which will also create jobs.

Justice

[Christine Normandin, Bloc, Saint-Jean, QC]

Mr. Speaker, what is happening today at the Supreme Court is the ultimate constitutional power grab. The Government of Canada is not content to simply attack state secularism by challenging Bill 21. It wants to prevent Quebec from passing any law that Ottawa does not like by limiting the use of the notwithstanding clause.

The Liberals are using the highest court to undermine Quebec and diminish the will of Quebeckers for all time. Do they understand that this would be the biggest setback for Quebec's autonomy in 45 years?

[Sean Fraser, Liberal, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency]

Mr. Speaker, before I begin, I thank my colleague for her question. As the member is well aware, the federal government must defend the Constitution. This case is now before the Supreme Court of Canada. That is the appropriate forum to discuss this issue. It would not be appropriate for me, as Attorney General, to debate this matter in the House of Commons.