House of Commons Hansard #110 of the 45th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was elections.
This summary is computer-generated. Usually it’s accurate, but every now and then it’ll contain inaccuracies or total fabrications.
Strong and Free Elections Act Second reading of Bill C-25. The bill amends the *Canada Elections Act* to modernize electoral integrity. It targets the "longest ballot committee" by restricting signatures and official agents, while combatting "realistic deepfakes" and foreign interference. While parties largely support the legislation, some Conservatives prefer "reinstating mandatory deposits" to reduce frivolous candidates. Conversely, the Bloc Québécois argues against "limiting signature rights" and advocates for "reinstating public funding", citing concerns over party financing transparency. The motion carried and moves to committee. 17300 words, 2 hours in 2 segments: 1 2.
Jury Duty Appreciation Week Act Second reading of Bill S-226. The bill S-226 would designate the second week of May as Jury Duty Appreciation Week. Members across parties support this initiative as a symbolic gesture to recognize the vital role jurors play. Parliamentarians acknowledged that while jurors face significant mental health and financial challenges, this measure respects provincial jurisdiction over the administration of justice. 6600 words, 1 hour.
Luc Berthold Conservative Mégantic—L’Érable—Lotbinière, QC
Mr. Speaker, the Liberal Prime Minister claims that affordability is the best it has been in 10 years.
However, with $90 billion in new spending and $55 billion in annual interest payments, Canadians are paying more than ever for housing, food and transportation. Even the C.D. Howe Institute says we are living in a “fiscal fantasy”.
Next week, will the Liberal Prime Minister condemn Canadians to even more spending, more deficits and a rising cost of living for families?
François-Philippe Champagne LiberalMinister of Finance and National Revenue
Mr. Speaker, I have a great deal of respect for my colleague. I know it is Friday, but I think he is asking the wrong question. The real question today is: How does Canada compare with the other G7 countries?
Last week, the IMF told us that Canada will have the second-fastest growth in the G7. These are facts. I know that my colleague knows deep down in his heart that this is the truth, and I am sure he will go and share the good news with all his constituents.
Canada is in a strong position. Together, we will build a strong Canada.
Luc Berthold Conservative Mégantic—L’Érable—Lotbinière, QC
Mr. Speaker, I will not ask the finance minister to guess what is in my heart. What is in my heart is the worker I met last week who lost his job. What is in my heart is the family I see at the grocery store forced to choose what to put in their cart. What is in my heart is concern that Canadians are getting poorer, that Canada is changing and that this government is making things worse day after day.
Yes, it is Friday. Can this minister show a little compassion and think about the Canadian families he is going to burden with debt while creating even more costs for everyone?
That is what is in my heart.
Steven MacKinnon LiberalMinister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, we know that my colleague has a big heart. That is why we were a bit surprised that he voted against the OAS increase, the dental care program, the school food program and the Canada child benefit.
He voted against all that, despite his big heart. We have challenged the Conservatives to tell us what cuts they are proposing. Will my colleague table in the House of Commons a list of the cuts the Conservative Party is proposing?
Kelly Block Conservative Carlton Trail—Eagle Creek, SK
Mr. Speaker, the Liberals have made grand promises of spending less and investing more, yet we heard from Finance Canada that their savings plan was not about spending less at all. With net new spending at $90 billion and interest on our nation's debt totalling more than we spend on health care transfers, Canadians are footing the bill in the amount of $3,300 a year per family.
What are the Liberals going to tell Canadians next week when they release their fiscal update? Will it doom Canadians to more of the same?
Steven MacKinnon LiberalMinister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, I have no doubt that my colleague, the Minister of Finance will bring in an exciting update that will tell Canadians about the major progress that we are making in building Canada strong.
Yesterday, I asked Conservatives to table a detailed list of spending cuts they propose, because they talk about inflationary spending. I hope my hon. colleague can help me. Is the Canada child benefit inflationary spending? Is the dental care plan inflationary spending? Is old age security inflationary spending? Are Canada student loans inflationary spending? Could the member tell us—
FinanceOral Questions
Kelly Block Conservative Carlton Trail—Eagle Creek, SK
Mr. Speaker, after running a decade of deficits, the Liberals have doubled the cost of housing, doubled the cost of rent and now doubled the deficit from Justin Trudeau. Every dollar the Prime Minister spends comes out of the pockets of Canadians who are struggling to afford groceries, pay their rent and fill up their tanks with gas.
When will the Liberals finally admit they have gotten it wrong, change course and get their spending under control so Canadians can afford to live again?
Adam van Koeverden LiberalSecretary of State (Sport)
Mr. Speaker, I would ask the question again, just as the government House leader did. The Conservatives talk a big game, but they do not want to get specific about what vital programs they would cut in order to pay for their irresponsible plans.
We have the Canada child benefit and the Canadian dental care plan. Just recently we brought forward the Canada groceries and essentials benefit that will deliver over $1,800 per lower-income family in that member's riding.
She would deny them child care, she would deny them dental and she would lower their Canada child benefit. Not on this side; we have got Canadians' backs.
Yves Perron Bloc Berthier—Maskinongé, QC
Mr. Speaker, the Liberals are busy launching their new dirty oil pipeline project out west. Things may be buzzing in Ottawa, but it is crickets from developers. Nobody is interested. Who is going to pay, then? The answer is the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources.
Yesterday, he confirmed in committee that he wants to give $10 billion of taxpayer money to indigenous communities so that they will agree to participate in the project. The Liberals are trying to buy social licence with $10 billion in cheques.
Will the Liberals back down and promise not to put Quebeckers' money into their pipeline?
Steven MacKinnon LiberalMinister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, Quebeckers will also benefit from our plan to build a very strong Canada. There was the announcement for a new graphite mine. We saw the opening of the Contrecoeur shipyard, a megaproject that will create thousands of jobs in the Montreal region, continue to fuel our supply chains and lower costs for Canadians.
Quebeckers will be involved in re-energizing the Canadian economy, and we will continue to build a very strong Canada.
Yves Perron Bloc Berthier—Maskinongé, QC
Mr. Speaker, when a member responds by talking about something else, it means he is bothered by the question.
Quebeckers have already paid $34 billion for the Trans Mountain pipeline. We are already paying billions of dollars in subsidies to oil companies, even though those companies are making exorbitant profits because of the war in Iran. There is no way that we are going to pay for another dirty oil pipeline.
Quebeckers want their money to be used to fight climate change, to counter Donald Trump's tariffs and to fund health care. Basically, they want it to be used for anything other than saving oil companies money.
When will the Liberals finally get the message?
François-Philippe Champagne LiberalMinister of Finance and National Revenue
Mr. Speaker, I appreciate my colleague's question, but I think he has forgotten everything that we have achieved. The Leader of the Government in the House of Commons just talked about projects that will move Quebec forward. It is important to know that Quebec is one of the world's top mining countries, and Quebeckers are proud of that. Canada, together with Quebec, is one of the leading authorities in the mining industry, and now we have the Nouveau Monde Graphite project.
Better still, Quebec has built a battery ecosystem. We will be at the cutting edge of technology when it comes to building EVs together. Quebeckers and Canadians are very proud of that.
Patrick Bonin Bloc Repentigny, QC
Mr. Speaker, the Liberals' descent into an ecological abyss continues. This morning, they approved the expansion of yet another gas project in western Canada. They announced Sunrise, an Enbridge pipeline designed to export shale gas produced through hydraulic fracturing.
Instead of developing clean energy and reducing dependence on dirty energy, like other countries are doing, Canada is using the war in Iran as an excuse to increase its reliance on gas. It is another giant step backward.
Is there a limit to how much packpedalling on climate action the Liberals will tolerate from their Prime Minister?
Steven MacKinnon LiberalMinister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, Canada will remain a leader in conventional energy and renewable energy. Canada will continue to build major projects that make us proud.
I have an update. My colleague, the Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement is currently in Quebec City announcing more big news for the people in the Quebec City region, namely the designation of the Port of Québec as a first port of arrival. We will continue to build and create jobs and opportunities for Quebeckers and for our entire great country.
Shannon Stubbs Conservative Lakeland, AB
Mr. Speaker, Canadians must cut back at home, while the Prime Minister has doubled Trudeau's deficit, spending $90 billion more. Debt interest charges alone are over $55 billion. That is more than federal transfers for health care to all provinces combined. The Prime Minister spends drunkenly on lavish food and flights while he travels the world, but families pay over $3,300 a year for his interest charges. The Liberals force Canadians to sacrifice essentials every day. Food bank usage is up because food costs have skyrocketed.
When will the Liberals get spending under control so Canadians can afford to live again?
Corey Hogan LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources
Mr. Speaker, Albertans know, of course, like all Canadians do, that we are in very uncertain times globally. The world is in a tumultuous place, but fortunately Canada enters this with the strongest debt situation in the G7. That is a fantastic place to be in when we are in difficult times. Now we are spending to make sure we are protecting Canadians from these dangerous headwinds.
I would ask my colleague this: What are the cuts she would propose that would allow us to meet her objective of reducing what is already the lowest net debt and one of the lowest deficits in the G7?
Shannon Stubbs Conservative Lakeland, AB
Mr. Speaker, as always, Liberals love to spend other people's money and blame everyone and everything else for their own record.
The Bank of Canada confirms that high deficits drive high interest rates. Since 2015, the Liberals' crazy deficits have skyrocketed. That means higher mortgage payments, higher car payments and higher credit card bills. High Liberal spending drives high inflation, and Canadians pay the price. Every buck the PM spends comes from Canadians.
Will Liberals agree with Conservatives to cut consultants, foreign aid and health care for fake refugees; bring down costs at grocery stores and at pumps and for homes; and make Canada affordable for all?
Kody Blois LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister
Mr. Speaker, perhaps my colleague did not hear the Minister of Finance this morning highlight the fact that the International Monetary Fund has reaffirmed that Canada has the best debt position in the G7 and that we have the second-fastest growing economy in the G7.
The member asked for the government to be able to make tough choices. Our comprehensive expenditure review is going to save the taxpayers of this country $40 billion, but some of the spending we are doing is about supporting the Canadian Armed Forces. Is the member suggesting we should not spend $60 billion to support our men and women in uniform? Is that the position of the Conservative Party?
Branden Leslie Conservative Portage—Lisgar, MB
Mr. Speaker, it takes a special kind of spending problem to make Justin Trudeau look fiscally responsible, yet the Prime Minister has done it. His budget 2025 added $90 billion in net new spending, and the government is now paying over $55 billion this year just to service our debt. Canadians are being told to tighten their belt, yet the Prime Minister cannot even find his.
Next week's fiscal update is the moment of truth. Will the Prime Minister finally get serious, rein in his out-of-control spending and stop pouring inflationary gasoline on families and seniors who are struggling to survive?
Yasir Naqvi LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Trade and to the Secretary of State (International Development)
Mr. Speaker, these are very serious times in our country, in fact globally. Canadians understand that we are living through a precarious time and that we have to work extremely hard to ensure that we build our economy and invest in Canadians so they are supported through these difficult times.
Canadians deserve serious leadership, and that is precisely what the Prime Minister and the government are doing: We are investing in Canadians as a bridge to a better future tomorrow. That is the work we are doing, whether it is the work we are doing in diversifying our economy here in Canada and opening new countries as places to—
Branden Leslie Conservative Portage—Lisgar, MB
Mr. Speaker, serious leadership looks like understanding what Canadians are going through. The Prime Minister says affordability has never been better. If that is true, I would hate to see what he thinks expensive looks like. When was the last time he actually went into a grocery store and bought groceries for himself in Canada? I highly doubt it has been in this millennium. Let me remind him of reality. After a decade of Liberal spending, families are paying 42% more for groceries than they were in 2015. Everything costs more. Canadians are struggling to stay afloat.
If life is so affordable, why are more Canadians lining up at food banks than ever before?
Peter Fragiskatos LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Immigration
Mr. Speaker, I will give the Conservatives credit. They are on message. The script does not change. They talk about being in touch. I remind my colleagues that it was their leader who stood in front of the home of a waitress and called it a shack.
What do they want to cut? The members on that side have never answered us. Would they cut the child benefit? Would they cut the food program in schools? Would they cut day care supports? They would cut all of it. They do not have a plan. They are not serious.
Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands—Rideau Lakes, ON
Mr. Speaker, the ethics committee issued its report to make Canada's conflict of interest laws stronger, and we know that Canada needs this because Canadians deserve accountability but have a Prime Minister who is guaranteed future bonus payments from Brookfield, the company he used to run.
The Prime Minister should sell his assets so Canadians know that his decisions are in the public interest, not in his own personal financial interest, which is currently the case. The Prime Minister has an opportunity to do the right thing to show Canadians he is serious about democracy and about accountability.
Will the Prime Minister sell his assets and adopt the committee's recommendations?
