Debates of April 14th, 2026

News Media Industry

[Martin Champoux, Bloc, Drummond, QC]

Mr. Speaker, by adding 15 English-language Global stations to the ILNF without funding from the web giants, the government is robbing Peter to pay Paul. The result is that 86% of the ILNF money is going to English-language media, and it is the independent regional French-language media outlets that are paying the price. Let us be realistic. There is no long-term solution without contributions from the web giants, but there is no point if there are no media outlets left to save. The government has to temporarily replenish the ILNF and extend its journalism labour tax credit to include electronic media, like Quebec has done.

When is that going to happen?

[Marc Miller, Liberal, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages]

Mr. Speaker, that question reveals the true nature of the Bloc Québécois, which is always trying to pit the English-language media against the French-language media. I think we can fund both at the same time.

Taxation

[Scot Davidson, Conservative, New Tecumseth—Gwillimbury, ON]

Mr. Speaker, this Prime Minister's temporary, half measures on fuel prices show he is more focused on increasing government revenues than offering real relief to Canadians at the pump. The Liberals will rake in up to $10 billion more in taxes, while Canadians will save just 10¢ a litre.

Here we go again: Billions for this Liberal government, but pennies for Canadians.

Why should soccer moms, seniors and young people pay the price at the pump for this Prime Minister's overspending?

[Tim Hodgson, Liberal, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources]

Mr. Speaker, let me help my friend on the other side of the aisle.

We have cut taxes by 28¢ a litre since this new government came into office. We have cut income taxes. We have cut GST. We have cut the cost of a home in Markham—Thornhill, my riding, by $200,000 in total. That is what affordability looks like.

[Scot Davidson, Conservative, New Tecumseth—Gwillimbury, ON]

Mr. Speaker, this announcement will barely move the needle for Canadians drowning in credit card debt just to fill up. Instead of adopting the Conservative plan to eliminate all taxes on fuel and save Canadian families $1,218 until 2027, the Liberals' half-baked plan will only save families 10¢ a litre for a couple of months.

No one has a monopoly on good ideas. Why is this Prime Minister refusing to listen to Conservatives, and offer real relief to Canadians at the pump?

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

Mr. Speaker, I would agree with my colleague, and he is a man of good heart. Clearly, the Conservatives do not have the monopoly on good ideas. That I can confirm, that is for sure.

What I can say is that I know in his heart, he knows that the measure will save Canadians $2.4 billion. That is a responsible measure to take. It is a significant boost to families, soccer moms and people who are in the logistics business. It is going to help our farmers, fishermen and all Canadians at this time of need.

To the people at home, we have always been there for them, and we will continue to fight for them every single day.

[Rob Moore, Conservative, Fundy Royal, NB]

Mr. Speaker, once again, the Liberals have shown Canadians that the best solution for taxpayers is found in the Conservative Party of Canada.

Instead of committing to real relief at the pumps for the rest of the year, this Prime Minister announced a short-term pause that only affects one-third of his government's taxes on fuel for only one-third of the year. He is still refusing to pause the GST on gas and diesel, the industrial carbon tax and the clean fuel standard.

Why do the Liberals insist on part measures instead of adopting our Conservative plan to remove all federal taxes on gas and diesel to save Canadians 25¢ a litre for the rest of the year?

[Wayne Long, Liberal, Secretary of State (Canada Revenue Agency and Financial Institutions)]

Mr. Speaker, while that leader continues his podcast tour, on this side of the House we are going to continue to focus on affordability for Canadians.

Just this morning our Prime Minister announced a pause to the federal excise tax of 10¢ a litre. Combining that with the cut in the consumer carbon tax, that is 28¢ a litre in savings that goes back into Canadians' pockets.

On this side of the House, we are going to continue to focus on affordability. We are going to continue to deliver that for Canadians.

[Rob Moore, Conservative, Fundy Royal, NB]

Mr. Speaker, it is too generous to call the Liberals' latest proposal announced today even a half measure. People are suffering under the increased fuel costs and increased fuel taxes, yet the government has decided that it will continue to reap a massive GST windfall on the backs of overtaxed Canadians.

By fully committing to our plan, a family of four would save more than $1,200 just this year.

Will the Liberals do the right thing and adopt our plan to save 25¢ a litre by cutting all federal fuel taxes for Canadian drivers for the rest of this year?

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

Mr. Speaker, here is the thing: We can focus on two things at the same time. We can help families with urgent cost relief right now, which we are doing by eliminating the fuel excise tax, but what we can also do, and this is the part Conservatives do not get, is help with long-term sustainable affordability. That is where things like affordable child care come in, or removing the HST from new homes, or making sure that there are school food programs, or ensuring that the Canada child benefit is there for families.

We want to be there for families now when the crisis is urgent, but also in the long term. That is the kind of stuff the Conservatives vote against every time.

[Warren Steinley, Conservative, Regina—Lewvan, SK]

Mr. Speaker, Conservatives have brought forward a plan to eliminate the gas tax, the GST on gas and diesel, the industrial carbon tax and the fuel standard tax for the rest of 2026. That would cut costs at the pump by 25¢ per litre and save a family of four up to $1,200 this year.

Why is the Liberal Prime Minister shortchanging Canadian families and not cutting all taxes for the whole year?

[Buckley Belanger, Liberal, Secretary of State (Rural Development)]

Mr. Speaker, as I have said from time to time, the Conservatives across the way have been here for 10 years. I have been here for 10 months, and guess what? I get to announce the tax break for the farming community in Saskatchewan. It was done within that 10-month time frame.

[Warren Steinley, Conservative, Regina—Lewvan, SK]

Mr. Speaker, I have known that member for a very long time. I have made a career out of cleaning up his messes. He and the NDP destroyed Saskatchewan for 16 years, and now he has come here to be one of the Liberals destroying the economy of Canada. Once again, after he finishes ruining the economy for Canadians, we will clean up his mess for all Canadians so they can get ahead.

[Buckley Belanger, Liberal, Secretary of State (Rural Development)]

Mr. Speaker, the member is correct; I have watched his underperformance in the provincial assembly in Saskatchewan. Now, I am watching the collective underperformance of all 13 of the Saskatchewan Conservative MPs.

Let me remind folks today that we are announcing uranium development in northern Saskatchewan. This week, I was at SUMA announcing waste water and sewer projects, and water projects for three cities. This government is on the move, and as I mentioned before, that is great news. We are just getting started.

[Helena Konanz, Conservative, Similkameen—South Okanagan—West Kootenay, BC]

Mr. Speaker, today, the Liberals announced they are adopting a third of our gas relief plan for just a third of the year, but residents in the Similkameen—South Okanagan—West Kootenay do not just drive for the summer. Our plan would take excise, GST and fuel standard taxes off gas and diesel for the rest of 2026. That would cut costs at the pump by 25¢ per litre, saving $1,200 for a family of four.

Will the Liberals end the tax grab and save Canadians 25¢ a litre?

[Jill McKnight, Liberal, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence]

Mr. Speaker, British Columbians are happy to hear that we are investing in them and that we are addressing affordability for them. They are happy to hear that we are making a reduction in fuel costs from now until Labour Day. British Columbians are going to use that to go and enjoy our country as they can this summer. Maybe they will also combine that with the Canada Strong pass as they go and explore this wonderful country.

Employment Insurance

[Andréanne Larouche, Bloc, Shefford, QC]

Mr. Speaker, here we go again. Every year, seasonal workers fall victim to the EI spring gap, which is when workers in fisheries, forestry, tourism and many other sectors go without income for weeks.

For over 10 years, the Liberals have been promising comprehensive EI reform, and they will need to keep their promise, but seasonal workers need 15 more weeks per year right now.

When will the Liberals fix the EI spring gap once and for all?

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

Mr. Speaker, employment insurance is very important for all workers in this country. That is why we improved the program and added measures for workers facing real hardships.

It is why we have added measures to ensure that workers who are facing hard times get what they deserve as fast as they can and ensure that they have the weeks they need to stay financially viable.

[Marilène Gill, Bloc, Côte-Nord—Kawawachikamach—Nitassinan, QC]

Mr. Speaker, seasonal workers are not asking for the moon. The Interprovincial Employment Insurance Alliance calculated that it would cost one penny per $100 of wages to eliminate the spring gap forever. It would cost a single penny.

The federal government needs to understand that, while work is seasonal in the regions, the workers are permanent. They are the ones who keep regional economies going. They need 15 more weeks every year.

Will the government finally fill the EI spring gap once and for all?

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

Mr. Speaker, workers in Canada must have confidence in our EI system. That is why we added measures to support workers across the country.

I want to work with my colleague to come up with other ideas to help workers.

Taxation

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

Mr. Speaker, once again, the Liberal Prime Minister is confirming that the Conservatives are the ones with real solutions, that this government has not changed and that it is incapable of solving anything.

The Liberals are offering mere crumbs. Their announcement affects only one-third of fuel taxes for one-third of the year. Meanwhile, they will continue to pocket $10 billion a year from drivers. The real solution is to abolish all gasoline taxes.

Why, after 10 years, are the Liberals not even capable of doing things right, not even halfway?

[Nathalie Provost, Liberal, Secretary of State (Nature)]

Mr. Speaker, we are working to boost Canadians' purchasing power in every way we can. We are not just doing one thing; we are doing many things. We can walk, chew gum, talk to friends on the phone—we can do lots of things at the same time.

We are working on the economy. Today's employment data shows that our economic growth is being recognized. We have reduced the gas tax. We also have a host of programs that will help Canadians get through this difficult crisis.

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

Mr. Speaker, the Liberals are acknowledging that we are in a difficult crisis. Well, they have been in power for over 10 years, so who put Canada in this position? It was the Liberal government, a government that has not changed, that has remained the same for the past 10 years.

The Liberals claim to be doing something, but it is very little. They are copying Conservative ideas, but not all of them, just some, leaving people to struggle on weekends to pay for groceries, to pay to fill up their gas tanks to get to the grocery store, go to school or get to work. Once a Liberal, always a Liberal.

Why is this Liberal Prime Minister keeping more in his pockets than he is giving back to Canadians?

[Rachel Bendayan, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, we know that Canadians are struggling right now. The Conservatives' approach since last summer has been to filibuster in the House.

We are trying to move forward. This very day, we proposed a new, targeted measure to support Canadians and help consumers weather sticker shock at the pumps. This will help them directly by putting money back in their pockets.

[Dominique Vien, Conservative, Bellechasse—Les Etchemins—Lévis, QC]

Mr. Speaker, all we are seeing at this point is Liberal smoke and mirrors. The Prime Minister is offering nothing more than peanuts. Canadians will save just 10¢ a litre, while he is going to rake in nearly $10 billion, taken from Canadians' pockets.

Why will the government not implement the Conservative Party's plan to eliminate the GST on gasoline and diesel, the industrial carbon tax and the fuel standard? It would be so simple. Plus, it would help people.