House of Commons Hansard #101 of the 45th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was information.
This summary is computer-generated. Usually it’s accurate, but every now and then it’ll contain inaccuracies or total fabrications.
An Act to Amend the Criminal Code Report stage of Bill C-225. The bill, commonly known as Bailey's Law, amends the Criminal Code to address intimate partner violence. It proposes that intimate partner homicide occurring within a pattern of coercive control constitutes first-degree murder. Members from all parties express their support for the bill following productive committee amendments, emphasizing a collective commitment to protecting victims and strengthening legal responses to domestic abuse. 7900 words, 1 hour.
Lawful Access Act, 2026 Second reading of Bill C-22. The bill proposes a modernized lawful access framework to help police investigate digital crimes. Liberals argue these tools are essential for protecting Canadian communities, while Conservative critics express concerns regarding privacy and constitutional reach. The Bloc Québécois questions if the legislation sufficiently protects individual rights, specifically noting potential oversight deficiencies. While all parties acknowledge the need to combat digital crime, contentious debate remains regarding the balance between enhanced investigative powers and citizen privacy. 40400 words, 5 hours in 2 segments: 1 2.
Adjournment Debate - Housing Tamara Jansen and Jacob Mantle criticize the government’s failure to meet housing targets, arguing that skyrocketing costs and empty promises leave young Canadians behind. Wade Grant defends the Liberal record, citing billions in multi-year investments, new infrastructure projects, and the launch of the Build Canada Homes agency. 2600 words, 15 minutes.
François-Philippe Champagne Liberal Saint-Maurice—Champlain, QC
Just talk to constituents; they will tell my friend. Just ask constituents, and they will tell them—
TaxationOral Questions
The Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia
I would remind members that they must address other members through the Chair. We have been away for two weeks, but we have not forgotten everything.
The hon. Minister of Finance.
François-Philippe Champagne Liberal Saint-Maurice—Champlain, QC
Mr. Speaker, you are quite right. It is all about emotion and passion in this House.
One thing that I can say is that the first thing we did under this government was to lower taxes for 22 million Canadians, but more than that we have been there, working for Canadians, with respect to groceries, we have been there to help them with child care and we have been there to help them with pharmacare. We are there to help them with dental care.
Melissa Lantsman Conservative Thornhill, ON
Mr. Speaker, the minister will not stand up and give a clear answer. In fact, he will not even talk about gas prices, and it is very easy to see why.
Oil prices are not hurting this government. They are actually funding the government, because with every $10 increase in oil prices, the Liberals get $2 billion more in tax revenue. That means the Liberals are collecting a generational windfall at the pumps, while Canadians pay more for everyday essentials.
I will give the minister some more practice, and I will ask him my question very slowly. Will he suspend the out-of-control gas taxes and return the $5 billion to the people who paid for it?
Patty Hajdu LiberalMinister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario
Mr. Speaker, let us suppose for a moment that there is a generational windfall. I know what the Conservatives would not spend it on. They sure would not spend it on training for young people, because they voted against that. They sure would not spend it on building the kind of infrastructure that communities need while creating great-paying union jobs, because they voted against that. They sure would not spend it on student food programs or an affordable early learning and child care program that is saving Ontario families $16,000 per year per child, because they voted against that.
What would the Conservatives spend any kind of tax earnings on? Not Canadians.
Gabriel Hardy Conservative Montmorency—Charlevoix, QC
Mr. Speaker, it is a mistake for a country to tax its way to success, but that seems to be the cornerstone of the Liberals' decisions of the past 11 years.
While governments around the world are working to help citizens deal with the oil crisis, the Liberal government is going to think about it. Australia, Ireland, Spain and Austria have lowered their fuel taxes to give people some breathing room.
Suspending the federal fuel tax for the rest of the year is the responsible, logical and effective thing to do. Will the Liberals adopt our proposal and suspend the federal fuel tax?
Steven MacKinnon LiberalMinister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, I will answer the question in a second. As a member from Quebec, and on behalf of the government, I first want to congratulate Christine Fréchette on getting elected to lead the Coalition Avenir Québec. She thereby becomes the next premier of Quebec.
As for the fuel tax, I would remind my colleague that we have eliminated the consumer fuel tax. We have lowered taxes for 22 million Canadians. We have invested in child care, dental care and groceries. The Conservatives were against all of that.
Gabriel Hardy Conservative Montmorency—Charlevoix, QC
Mr. Speaker, Canada has the fourth-largest oil reserves in the world. There is no reason why a country as rich in resources as ours should be so vulnerable to global oil crises.
After 11 years of Liberal government, however, the many anti-development laws in place are weakening our country. We could have followed Norway's example: Develop our resources intelligently, enrich our society and fund our public services, but not by taxing the people.
Would the Liberals at least have the decency to give Quebeckers and Canadians some relief by lifting the gas tax?
François-Philippe Champagne LiberalMinister of Finance and National Revenue
Mr. Speaker, that is exactly what we have done. Let me help jog my colleague's memory. Let me remind him that the first thing we did was to lower the taxes of 22 million Canadians.
There was also the Canada child benefit, the national school food program, the Canada disability benefit and the old age security program.
What we are saying to the Quebeckers and Canadians watching us today is that we have always been there in hard times. The folks at home know that a Liberal government will always be there to support them through hard times.
Jason Groleau Conservative Beauce, QC
Mr. Speaker, the Liberals claim that federal taxes on gasoline and diesel have no effect on inflation or the cost of living. Seriously, is anyone buying that? Do they have any respect for Canadians? We are talking 25¢ a litre. Meanwhile, Canadians, people from Beauce, workers and entrepreneurs are seeing their bills skyrocket and their purchasing power plummet.
My question is simple. Will the Prime Minister suspend the federal gas tax, yes or no?
Joël Lightbound LiberalMinister of Government Transformation
Mr. Speaker, if the member opposite wants to talk about what affects the cost of living, we could talk about the Canada child benefit, which likely helps tens of thousands of children and families in his riding. We could talk about the Canadian dental care plan, which, again, helps nearly two million Quebeckers. We could talk about the Canada groceries and essentials benefit, which will provide up to nearly $2,000 per family in Quebec. We could talk about the agreement that we reached with Quebec for 37,000 day care spaces.
I would remind everyone that these are all measures that my colleague voted against.
Alexis Deschênes Bloc Gaspésie—Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine—Listuguj, QC
Mr. Speaker, in his Bill C‑15, the Minister of Finance granted special powers to the Alto corporation to expropriate land from people in Terrebonne to make way for high-speed rail. Bill C‑15, which has become law, bears his imprint.
However, media reports have revealed that the Minister of Finance has personal ties to Alto's senior management. Right in the middle of an election in Terrebonne, a Liberal minister is making it easier to expropriate land from the people of Terrebonne in support of a company with which he has close connections.
Why is the Liberal minister working with Alto at the expense of the rights of the people of Terrebonne?
François-Philippe Champagne LiberalMinister of Finance and National Revenue
Mr. Speaker, that is a surprising question coming from the Bloc Québécois. Old-fashioned political tactics, personal attacks and false allegations against public sector employees are not the kind of politics that Canadians want to see right now. I have followed all the rules, and I will continue to focus on building the most resilient economy in the G7.
Alexis Deschênes Bloc Gaspésie—Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine—Listuguj, QC
Mr. Speaker, the minister has not taken the necessary steps to distance himself. He himself introduced Bill C-15 in the House, and that bill includes measures to facilitate the expropriation of land from the people of Terrebonne. He is the one who requested that this bill be drafted in response to his budget, which he himself tabled.
Again, the Liberal minister has close ties to Alto's management. The Liberal minister has introduced legislation to help Alto expropriate land from the citizens of Terrebonne. Is this really the kind of policy the Liberal government is offering Terrebonne voters today?
Steven MacKinnon LiberalMinister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, this question dishonours the Bloc Québécois and the member across the way. The minister just answered it.
As for Terrebonne and all the communities along the high-speed rail route in Canada, I can assure residents that everything will be done with consideration and respect, and their concerns will be heard. However, we are moving forward, and we are going to build a dream train for all Canadians.
Alexis Deschênes Bloc Gaspésie—Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine—Listuguj, QC
Mr. Speaker, the only reason the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner let the Minister of Finance off the hook is because he is not going to benefit from these actions personally. No, the ones that stand to benefit are the Liberal government and Alto, which will now have an easier time expropriating residents of Terrebonne from their properties. The ones who stand to lose out are the people living along the high-speed rail route imposed by Alto.
Why are the Liberals not trying to rally support from the residents of Terrebonne by really listening to them, instead of stripping them of their rights and threatening their property?
Steven MacKinnon LiberalMinister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, the ones who stand to benefit are the 40 million Canadians who have been dreaming of high-speed trail for 40 or 50 years. This dream is within their grasp, starting with the section between Quebec City and Toronto. We are going to keep going, because we will have implemented an advanced technology in Canada. We are going to deliver a travel game-changer for all Canadians. We are going to build high-speed rail in Canada.
Jasraj Singh Hallan Conservative Calgary East, AB
Mr. Speaker, Liberal fuel taxes drive up the cost of gas and food. That is clear in Calgary East. Our Salvation Army has seen a 500% usage increase in its food security program because of the higher cost of food. Like a typical Liberal, the Prime Minister would rather cash in on higher oil prices for his government than give Canadians a break at the pump. Will he implement our Conservative plan to remove all federal fuel taxes to save Canadians 25¢ per litre at the pump, yes or no?
Wayne Long LiberalSecretary of State (Canada Revenue Agency and Financial Institutions)
Mr. Speaker, on this side of the House, we are going to continue to focus on making life more affordable for Canadians. We just launched a groceries and essentials benefit, putting up to $1,900 in the pockets of working families. We cut the taxes for 22 million Canadians. We cut the consumer carbon tax and the GST for first-time homebuyers.
It is time for that leader and that party to focus on affordability for Canadians like we are.
Jasraj Singh Hallan Conservative Calgary East, AB
Mr. Speaker, the member is bragging about a $90 tax cut. One cannot even buy a jug of milk for that weekly.
Canadians are paying on average 20¢ more per litre than the Americans and the difference is because of the fuel taxes. The Liberal Prime Minister said he is looking into lower gas prices, but the answer is right in front of him. Will he implement our plan to get rid of all fuel taxes federally to save Canadians $1,200 at the pump, yes or no?
Wayne Long LiberalSecretary of State (Canada Revenue Agency and Financial Institutions)
Mr. Speaker, I think it is pretty clear that Canadians from coast to coast to coast and members in this House are gravitating to our Prime Minister's leadership and his vision for Canada. We continue to make life more affordable for Canadians by cutting taxes, with the groceries and essentials benefit, the automatic federal benefits and the list goes on.
On this side of the House, we are going to continue to focus on affordability. It is time for that leader to get back in this House and help us build a strong Canada.
TaxationOral Questions
The Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia
I know the hon. member was speaking probably metaphorically, but we know that we cannot indicate whether a member is present or absent.
The hon. member for Middlesex—London.
Lianne Rood Conservative Middlesex—London, ON
Mr. Speaker, yesterday, when asked about rising gas prices, the Prime Minister said that he is still looking at how to help cushion the blow for Canadians. Let me help him out. The reality is that the federal government will collect more royalties than it would cost to eliminate all of the federal fuel taxes for the rest of the year. Conservatives have proposed cutting these taxes to save 25¢ a litre at the pump for Canadians.
Will the Liberals help Canadians, adopt our Conservative plan and just cut the taxes?
John Zerucelli LiberalSecretary of State (Labour)
Mr. Speaker, how one votes in this House matters. On this side of the House, we voted every single day to make life more affordable for Canadians. On that side of the House, Conservatives voted against every measure to make life more affordable for Canadians, such as delivering a tax cut that is benefiting 22 million Canadians, delivering the Canada child benefit, reducing child care costs, cutting the carbon tax that reduces gas prices, delivering dental care and delivering the national school food program. The problem with the Conservatives is that they voted against it all.