Debates of April 17th, 2026

Indigenous Affairs

[Rebecca Alty, Liberal, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations]

Mr. Speaker, we are working with the City of Richmond and will be providing a response to the letter.

The Conservatives are trying to re-litigate this very serious court case using partisan political attacks, which could seriously undermine the legal process and the work we are doing. They are taking the longest civil court case in Canadian history, over 500 days, and boiling it down to a social media clip. While they are focused on party politics, we are focused on appealing this decision and advancing all legal arguments to protect private property where it matters, in front of—

[Tamara Kronis, Conservative, Nanaimo—Ladysmith, BC]

Mr. Speaker, there is secrecy, uncertainty and anxiety. Between the Cowichan Tribes decision and the Musqueam agreement, the Liberals and NDP have managed to throw private property rights into question for thousands of British Columbians. We need a game plan in this country on how we are going to get from where we are today to reconciliation in an affordable, reasonable manner, but the Cowichan Tribes decision is going to take years to wend its way up to the Supreme Court, while Canadians are left wondering whether their homes are truly theirs.

I ask the Prime Minister, what is the plan to restore confidence in fee simple home ownership, and when are we going to have genuine resolution and—

[The Deputy Speaker, Tom Kmiec]

The hon. parliamentary secretary to the minister.

[Taleeb Noormohamed, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation]

Mr. Speaker, let us be clear about a few things. First of all, our government has been opposed to the B.C. Supreme Court decision, which is why we are appealing that decision. However, let us also understand a few other things. Not a single negotiation, not a single agreement with a first nation since the 1970s has resulted in a single Canadian losing any of their private property.

The Conservatives are fearmongering, they are spreading misinformation and they are causing disruption in the economy of British Columbia.

[Tamara Kronis, Conservative, Nanaimo—Ladysmith, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the member says he disagrees with the decision and is appealing, but appeals are not do-overs, as the minister should have been told by her lawyers. The “raise it or lose it” principle is a core feature of how our legal system works. One cannot raise a new argument on appeal if one did not raise it at trial. My dad used to refer to this as the “you snooze, you lose” rule. In Cowichan Tribes, the Liberals instructed government lawyers not to argue that fee simple title supersedes all other kinds.

Can the minister explain how the government is going to win an appeal with an argument it is not entitled to make?

[Rebecca Alty, Liberal, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations]

Mr. Speaker, preserving the certainty and stability of private property is of utmost importance, and that is why we will advance all legal arguments to protect them. We disagree with the B.C. Supreme Court's ruling, and that is why we appealed this back in September. This is being appealed by the federal government, the province, the city of Richmond, the Musqueam first nation, the Tsawwassen first nation and the Cowichan first nation.

However, as a government, we always prefer to negotiate instead of going to court. I can tell this House that in all of our negotiations dating back to the 1970s, no agreement between the federal government and first nations—

[The Deputy Speaker, Tom Kmiec]

The hon. member for Honoré‑Mercier.

Sport

[Eric St-Pierre, Liberal, Honoré-Mercier, QC]

Mr. Speaker, with less than two months to go before the 2026 FIFA Men's World Cup kicks off, Canadians from coast to coast to coast are feeling the excitement.

Can the Parliamentary Secretary to the Secretary of State for Sport tell the House how our government is helping communities across the country take part in this historic moment?

[Madeleine Chenette, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages and to the Secretary of State (Sport)]

Mr. Speaker, I thank my athletic hon. colleague for his question. The year 2026 is Canada's year of sport, and we are bringing the excitement of the World Cup to communities across the country. Through the “Canada Celebrates” tour, communities from coast to coast to coast will share in this moment of national pride. Our government is also investing to support the host cities and deliver a safe and welcoming World Cup.

Go, Canada, go. This summer, let us celebrate sport in every city and encourage our young people to get active.

Rail Transportation

[Michael Barrett, Conservative, Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands—Rideau Lakes, ON]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, the transport minister said that anyone who speaks out against the land expropriation, environmental devastation or sham consultation in its $90-billion Alto project should be ashamed. I will tell this House that I am proud to stand with people like Dave Brown, his wife Carole, the Brown's Marina and the people of Chaffey's Lock, Rideau Lakes and Eastern Ontario who are rightly fearful for their family homes, their farms, their businesses and their way of life.

The Liberals have an opportunity to do the right thing and to cancel a project that's going to devastate communities as well as families, just like Dave and Carole.

[Mike Kelloway, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport and Internal Trade]

Mr. Speaker, make no mistake about it, this is a transformational project initiative for Quebec and Ontario, putting thousands of people to work, using Canadian workers, Canadian companies and Canadian businesses. At the same time, in terms of this large-scale project, we take consultation very seriously. We have met with 10,000 stakeholders. We will do more because it is the right thing to do. We will work with all Canadians to make this project happen.

[Michael Barrett, Conservative, Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands—Rideau Lakes, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the minister said, “We're going to...move that train as fast as we can”, and he said the quiet part out loud.

The Liberal government is going to breeze right past the very real concerns of families, farmers, small businesses and people who just want to live the way that they thought they could in eastern Ontario, but instead we are seeing a project that is going to devastate the environment in areas like the Frontenac Arch Biosphere and UNESCO-recognized world heritage sites.

Why are these Liberals disregarding the rights of Canadians for a vanity project? They should do the right thing and cancel the $90 billion.

[Mike Kelloway, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport and Internal Trade]

Mr. Speaker, make no mistake about it, when it comes to nation-building projects, the Conservatives practise fear and loathing while we practise hope and action. We do that by consultation with each and every stakeholder group in Ontario and Quebec. Why? It is the right thing to do. They are a part of the solution. In urban Canada, we think big. In rural Quebec and in rural Ontario, we are also thinking big.

Ethics

[Michael Cooper, Conservative, St. Albert—Sturgeon River, AB]

Mr. Speaker, the finance minister's spokesperson said, “The minister fully respects the screen, meaning he is neither implicated in nor party to any discussions, decisions, or votes related to Alto.” Yet the minister introduced, defended and voted on legislation to direct billions of tax dollars to Alto on at least 14 occasions.

How do the Liberals reconcile the statement of the spokesperson for the minister with the minister's actions?

[Mike Kelloway, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport and Internal Trade]

Mr. Speaker, the minister and others have spoken about this, but I will say this, and I will use an Atlantic Canadian analogy, “This is a rather large fishing expedition.” In Atlantic Canada we would describe it as “There is no fishing bait, there is no fishing line and there is no fishing pole.”

Health

[Greg Fergus, Liberal, Hull—Aylmer, QC]

Mr. Speaker, men and boys across Canada are facing a health crisis. They feel their physical and mental health issues are overlooked, misunderstood or ignored. Stress and injury are normalized and vulnerability is stigmatized. Too many men and boys suffer in silence, and they are wary of asking for help.

Can the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health inform this House about what the government is doing to help men and boys across Canada live healthier lives?

[Maggie Chi, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health]

Mr. Speaker, supporting the health of men and boys means stronger families, stronger community and a stronger Canada.

That is why the Minister of Health has launched consultation for Canada's first-ever national conversation on men and boys' health. We want to hear directly from Canadians about the challenges men and boys face, and the solutions that could improve lives. I encourage colleagues across the aisle to engage their communities and help shape a strategy that truly reflects Canadians' needs.

Agriculture and Agri-Food

[David Bexte, Conservative, Bow River, AB]

Mr. Speaker, this week I introduced Bill C-273, the FARM act, to cut red tape and get farmers faster access to proven tools already deemed safe and approved by trusted jurisdictions.

The bill reflects recommendations made by the ag committee on regulatory reform in response to industry concerns about costly delays and lack of access that leave our farmers at a disadvantage. It is a practical, no-cost solution that maintains oversight by delivering results.

Will the Liberals support this common-sense legislation, listen to the recommendations from committee and industry, and get farmers faster access to the tools they need?

[Sophie Chatel, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food]

Mr. Speaker, it is very important. Across Canada, we heard farmers, and they want reduced red tape.

I have good news for my colleague. We are doing that. The all-government effort is to reduce red tape, including in agri-food and in agriculture. In committee, we just worked on a report that has several recommendations for our government, and we will be acting upon it.

Climate Change

[Alexandre Boulerice, NDP, Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, every year, Canada has to inform the UN of its performance on greenhouse gases, or GHGs. Usually there is at least one press release, but with this year's shameful performance, we have heard nothing.

Yes, it is shameful because the Liberals reduced GHGs by a paltry 10% when the 2030 target is 45%. That is three and a half years down the road. It is impossible. The Liberals also want to ramp up natural gas pipeline projects like Marinvest. This makes no sense at all.

Are the Liberals finally about to prove that they really do not give a shit?

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[The Deputy Speaker, Tom Kmiec]

The hon. member used a word the that is not permitted in the House.

I am asking the hon. member to withdraw the unparliamentary word.

[Alexandre Boulerice, NDP, Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I withdraw my remark and instead I will say that the Liberals do not give a damn.

[The Deputy Speaker, Tom Kmiec]

I am going to ask the hon. member to withdraw these remarks after question period.

The hon. Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources.

[Claude Guay, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources]

Mr. Speaker, Canadians voted to strengthen our economy and develop our natural resources while also fighting climate change. We are supporting innovation, we are strengthening our competitiveness and we are making billions of dollars in new investments to achieve net zero. We are going to turn Canada into a clean and conventional energy superpower while reducing our emissions at the same time.