House of Commons Hansard #107 of the 45th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was students.
This summary is computer-generated. Usually it’s accurate, but every now and then it’ll contain inaccuracies or total fabrications.
Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities Conservative Members and Bloc Québécois members debate the government's recent budgetary policy excluding students at private vocational institutions from federal student grants. Conservatives argue this policy is discriminatory and ignores the vital role private colleges play in addressing critical labour shortages in rural and underserved areas. Liberals defend their broader investments in youth employment, while Bloc members criticize federal overreach in education, advocating for provincial jurisdiction over such decisions. 25200 words, 3 hours.
Admissibility of Committee Amendments to Bill C-11—Speaker's Ruling The Speaker rules on a point of order regarding Bill C-11, an act to reform the military justice system. After reviewing six amendments adopted by the Standing Committee on National Defence, the Speaker declares them inadmissible because they violate either the parent act principle or exceed the scope of the bill as approved at second reading. Consequently, these amendments are declared null and void, and the bill is reprinted. 1500 words.
Commissioner for Modern Treaty Implementation Act Report stage of Bill C-10. The bill proposes establishing an independent commissioner to oversee the implementation of modern treaties with Indigenous peoples. Proponents argue this body provides necessary accountability and transparency regarding federal commitments. However, Conservative members oppose the legislation, characterizing it as unnecessary bureaucracy that duplicates existing oversight mechanisms. They argue that the government should prioritize fulfilling its obligations through current departmental structures rather than incurring additional costs to address persistent implementation failures. 15300 words, 2 hours.
Use of Federal Lands for Veterans Members debate a motion from the Liberal Party instructing the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates to study repurposing surplus federal property to support veterans. While Liberals argue this planned study will create a necessary road map for better services, Conservatives and the Bloc Québécois oppose the motion, labeling it an inefficient use of legislative time that interferes with committee independence and misuses private members’ opportunities. 6500 words, 1 hour.
Mark Carney LiberalPrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, first, on March 25, I said that rent affordability was the best it had been in a decade. That is true. That is a fact. Second, in March, Canadian wages grew at twice the rate of inflation. We are growing the economy. This economy will have the second-fastest pace of growth in the G7.
Pierre Poilievre ConservativeLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, that is not what he said. He said that affordability was the best it had been in a decade. Even if he was talking about rent, that is not true either. In 2015, rent for a one-bedroom unit was $970. Now it is $1,850, so that is not even true.
The Prime Minister cannot fix a problem if he does not understand it. Every Canadian paying more for rent, food and other things knows he was wrong.
Will he just admit that he made a mistake?
Mark Carney LiberalPrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, affordability is measured through prices and wages. Wages in Canada continue to grow at twice the rate of inflation, and rents in Canada are now going down because of an increase in the housing supply.
Pierre Poilievre ConservativeLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, Canadians should be able to fill their grocery carts without emptying their bank accounts, but yesterday we learned that, for the fourth month in a row, Canada had the highest food price inflation in the G7 under the Liberal Prime Minister. All the other G7 countries have the same tariffs, wars and other global factors as we do, but it is under the Prime Minister that Canadians are paying the most the fastest.
He made a bizarre comment on March 25 when he said, “Affordability is the best it has been in over a decade.” Families who are turning back items at the grocery checkout and young people who cannot afford a home know he is wrong. Will he admit that he was wrong?
Mark Carney LiberalPrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, the record is that every month I have been Prime Minister, Canadian average wages have grown faster than the rate of inflation. Every month I have been Prime Minister, rents have fallen relative to wages.
There is more good news, because on June 5, over 12 million Canadians are going to receive the groceries and essentials benefit top-up, which is a boost today and a bridge to tomorrow.
Pierre Poilievre ConservativeLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister goofed. He stood on the floor of the House of Commons and claimed that it is now more affordable than at any time in a decade. The seniors who have to line up at food banks after those food bank lineups have doubled know he is wrong. The young people who are paying twice the rent they would have paid a decade ago know he is wrong. The single mother who is paying 40% more for groceries and has to turn back items at the grocery checkout knows he is wrong.
Will he just stand up, admit that he is human, that he made a mistake, that he goofed up and that he got it wrong on affordability?
Mark Carney LiberalPrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, housing rental affordability continues to improve. Asking rents have declined for 18 consecutive months. Every single month that this government has been in office, Canadian average salaries have increased. Now the IMF says that Canada will be the second-strongest economy in the G7 this year and next. We are growing Canada strong.
Pierre Poilievre ConservativeLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, he said “Affordability is the best it has been in over a decade.” A decade ago, the average one-bedroom rent was $970. Today, it is $1,850. It has doubled. Incomes have not doubled.
The young people who cannot afford that rent know that he is wrong. The seniors choosing between eating and heating know that he is wrong. The Canadians paying 70% more for beef know that he is wrong.
Will he stop quoting international bankers, realize that Canadians have never paid more and admit he was wrong?
Mark Carney LiberalPrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, asking rents have declined, year on year, for the 18th consecutive month. Growth in housing expenses has increased at less than the Bank of Canada's target, marking the 16th straight month of annual declines. Salaries continue to grow at more than twice the rate of inflation.
Affordability is improving, but this government is just getting started and we will not stop.
Pierre Poilievre ConservativeLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, Canadians are hoping they do stop because they cannot afford to pay one more penny.
This Prime Minister is completely out of touch, and Canadians are completely out of money. He thinks it is more affordable because his company puts its money in tax havens. It is very affordable when someone does not have to pay any tax.
Meanwhile, the single mothers who are having to put their grocery items back understand that he is wrong to say affordability is better than ever before. The seniors who cannot afford the doubling of rent under this Liberal government know he is wrong. Canadians know he is wrong.
Will he stand up, admit that he goofed up and that he was wrong on affordability?
Mark Carney LiberalPrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, I want to read into the record, for the benefit of the Leader of the Opposition, that I work for Canadians, and only Canadians, to improve their affordability.
That is why we have the groceries and essentials benefit, over $500 for 12 million Canadians on June 5. That is why we are cutting the federal tax on fuel. That is why we are providing Canada's average family with over $20,000 in benefits from child care and dental care to pharmacare, which is everything that he voted against.
Yves-François Blanchet Bloc Beloeil—Chambly, QC
Mr. Speaker, for the past year, the Bloc Québécois has been demanding that trade talks with the United States be the top priority. However, that did not seem to be the government's strategy. Today, the government is relaunching the Advisory Committee on Canada-U.S. Economic Relations. The government is even enhancing it, perhaps in the interests of Quebec. The committee was a tool created under Justin Trudeau and has had little impact until now. Now it is sending a message that, once again, the government's priority is negotiation.
In the meantime, will the government put transition measures in place for businesses?
Mark Carney LiberalPrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, it is a great honour to have the minister on the Advisory Committee on Canada-U.S. Economic Relations. This committee also includes the president of the FTQ, a major Quebec union; the president of the Aluminum Association of Canada, Mr. Simard; and the heads of major Quebec and Canadian companies. We already have the best trade deal with the United States, and we are just getting started.
Yves-François Blanchet Bloc Beloeil—Chambly, QC
Mr. Speaker, I am very happy that Ms. Picard is a member of the committee. I would point out that, three weeks ago, the U.S. president announced harsher tariffs, including some that will affect manufacturing companies that use steel and aluminum. Those are real businesses and real jobs.
Now that negotiation is back on the government's agenda, will it bring in transitional measures for businesses that are being affected between now and the end of these negotiations?
Mark Carney LiberalPrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the opposition member for his question, which is an important one. The new U.S. section 232 tariffs are all-encompassing. Yes, the government is considering transitional measures for businesses and individuals, including the affected workers.
Yves-François Blanchet Bloc Beloeil—Chambly, QC
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister finally seems to understand the impact that U.S. tariffs are having on businesses, which is good. Just because 85% of businesses are still covered by CUSMA does not mean that everything is fine and dandy. That leaves 15% of businesses and 15% of workers affected, which is huge.
I look forward to hearing what those measures are. I would like to know whether they will be included in the economic update and whether he is willing to consult us on them.
Mark Carney LiberalPrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, of course everyone will have to wait until the economic update is delivered. Our great Minister of Finance will deliver it on April 24, and there will be more good news for Canadians.
As for the government's strategy, we are building a strong, affordable, resilient Canada that is more independent from the United States.
Pierre Poilievre ConservativeLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, I gave the Prime Minister the chance to correct the record, and he refused to do so. On March 25, he made an inaccurate comment. He claimed that affordability was the best that it had been in over a decade. Rent has doubled in that decade. The cost of food is up 40%. The cost of beef is up 70%. The cost of mortgages is up well over 60%. Every Canadian knows that he got it wrong. He cannot possibly fix a problem if he does not know it exists.
Will he stand up today, admit that he got it wrong and admit that life has never been more expensive for Canadians?
Patty Hajdu LiberalMinister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario
Mr. Speaker, just moments ago, the Leader of the Opposition was talking about single mothers. What I would like to say to all the single moms across the country is that we have their back. We have their back with the Canada child benefit payment, which is indexed to inflation, so that when the costs go up, so does their payment. This is something the Conservatives voted against. We have their back when it comes to the cost of child care, to make sure that not only can they go to work and improve their skills, but they can actually pay for quality child care while they do it. These guys vote against workers. They vote against moms. They vote against kids—
The EconomyOral Questions
Pierre Poilievre ConservativeLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, now the Prime Minister has gone in the witness protection program. He does not even show up to answer questions 70% of the time, and then he refuses to stand up for affordability. He made the comment that affordability was the best it has been in over a decade, this after the number of people lined up at food banks has doubled. The rent has doubled. The cost of food is up 40%. We have the worst food price inflation in 40 years, and the Prime Minister cannot even stand in his place and debate me and answer the question.
Will he admit that he got it wrong on affordability, like everything else?
The EconomyOral Questions
The Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia
Order. Colleagues, let us calm down.
The hon. Minister of Jobs and Families.
Patty Hajdu LiberalMinister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario
Mr. Speaker, it is clear that we hit a nerve today, did we not? They know the truth. Whether we are talking about investment and skilled trades workers, or supporting workers when they are laid off due to tariffs or other issues related to that sector, Conservatives vote against Canadians' interests. Whether it is $500, $1,800, $16,000, it is the same pattern of behaviour. They vote against the very Canadians they say they care about. Their actions prove exactly what side they are on—
The EconomyOral Questions