House of Commons Hansard #111 of the 45th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was liberals.
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 Third reading of Bill C-225. The bill aims to combat intimate partner violence by strengthening criminal justice measures regarding coercive control and homicide sentencing. It introduces targeted bail reforms to better protect victims. Members from all parties highlight the collaborative drafting process and agree that this legislation is a necessary step to address escalating threats, resulting in the bill passing its third reading. 7100 words, 1 hour.
Motion That Debate Be Not Further Adjourned Liberal House Leader Steven MacKinnon moves to end debate on Government Business No. 9, a motion proposing that committee membership ratios be adjusted to reflect the Liberal Party’s recent attainment of a majority. Conservatives and the Bloc Québécois strongly dissent, characterizing the effort as an undemocratic attempt to stifle oversight. MacKinnon maintains the change upholds parliamentary tradition and ensures committees function efficiently. 4100 words, 30 minutes.
Consideration of Government Business No.9 Members debate a government motion to adjust the composition of standing committees following recent floor crossings. Conservatives and the Bloc argue the proposed "supermajority" undermines democratic norms and accountability by ignoring the will of the voters, while Liberals maintain that increasing their committee membership simply aligns with Westminster traditions to reflect their new majority standing in the House, stressing the importance of collaboration and unity. 6400 words, 40 minutes.
Government Business No. 9—Changes to the Standing Orders Members debate Motion No. 9, which restructures parliamentary committees to grant the governing Liberal Party a majority. Conservative and Bloc MPs condemn the move as an undemocratic power grab designed to limit legislative scrutiny and oversight of government initiatives and scandals like ArriveCan. Conversely, Liberal members argue that parliamentary tradition necessitates that a majority in the House must be reflected in standing committee composition. The House ultimately votes to pass the motion. 41200 words, 6 hours.
Consideration of Government Business No.9Government Business No. 9—Changes to the Standing OrdersGovernment Orders
Liberal
Shannon Miedema Liberal Halifax, NS
Mr. Speaker, I absolutely disagree with my esteemed colleague on the other side that the bills we have passed are unconstitutional.
Regardless of how different members feel about floor crossings, they are part of the history of Canadian government. They are completely legal and allowed. I have no further comment.
Consideration of Government Business No.9Government Business No. 9—Changes to the Standing OrdersGovernment Orders
The Assistant Deputy Speaker John Nater
The hon. member for Edmonton West will have about four and a half minutes before we interrupt him for statements by members.
The hon. member.
Consideration of Government Business No.9Government Business No. 9—Changes to the Standing OrdersGovernment Orders
Conservative
Kelly McCauley Conservative Edmonton West, AB
Mr. Speaker, it is hard to fit in so much on an attack on democracy and explain it in four and a half minutes, but I will try.
I am pleased to rise on Motion No. 9, another attempt by the Liberal government to quash all opposition and criticism of its government. Now, this is not about the legitimacy of the Liberal majority, however vile the betrayal of their constituents was by the MPs who crossed. It is still allowed within the Westminster system and I do respect that. I recognize the government as a majority.
The Prime Minister commented that he was going to do things differently, with a less partisan approach to governing. Of course, that comment aged about as well as his comment that affordability is at its best in the last 10 years.
I am fine with the Liberals adding more members to committees. I would note that when the Liberals formed the committees in June, they actually reduced the number of committee members they normally had, stating they did not have enough members to do the work. It is funny to see them now actually bumping up two people on committees, when really they could make do with one. Again, I am perfectly fine with it. They do have the majority.
However, this House and Canadians deserve oversight from this government. For the sake of accountability and transparency, we need better oversight. That is why we are proposing that the operations committee, known as the mighty OGGO, the public accounts committee, the access to information committee, also known as the ethics committee, and the status of women committee maintain the current setup, which is traditionally led by the opposition, with the Conservatives and the Bloc making up the majority. Again, this is for accountability and transparency.
Now, we have seen the contempt the Liberals have for this Parliament. It is clear again and again, and this goes back to 2015. The Liberal government always seems to say that it wants an audience and not an opposition. We have seen motions like this in the past.
Going back to the 42nd Parliament, we had Motion No. 6 from this government. Many of the Liberals here today were here for Motion No. 6. That was a motion that would have gutted Conservative opposition members' ability to submit Order Paper questions. The government was going to decide what was a valid Order Paper question, not an elected MP. The minister would decide. Also under Motion No. 6, the government stated that it would decide what was an appropriate amount of debate. The Liberals would stop the Conservatives, the Bloc and the NDP from debating certain issues. Of course, we all remember that famous night of Motion No. 6, known as “elbowgate”, when the former prime minister manhandled the late Gord Brown and also elbowed an NDP member in the chest.
During COVID, we saw Bill C-13 under the Trudeau government, and again, a majority of the members opposite were part of that government. With Bill C-13, the Liberals brought in a bill that would allow them, for 21 months, to have unlimited taxing and unlimited spending without any oversight or vote in this Parliament. The whole reason Parliament exists goes back to King Edward I, 1295, when calling the model Parliament, stating that “ what touches all should be approved by all”. Here we have the Liberal government under Bill C-13 saying that, for 21 months, what touches all should only be approved by the Liberals and not by all elected members.
This government has a long history of trying to stamp out opposition. We have seen this government and my colleague from Winnipeg North constantly call out any opposition to Liberal plans as obstruction. Let us remember that the finance minister refused to table a budget last spring. He said there would not even be a budget in 2025, and yet when the Liberals finally tabled a budget, 10 months later, they accused the opposition of purposely delaying it.
I understand I am out of time for this half of my speech about Liberal obstruction and blocking accountability. I look forward to continuing it afterwards.
Braedon Clark Liberal Sackville—Bedford—Preston, NS
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Anna Brozek and Moriah Aladejebi, two students in my riding who have been named 2026 Loran scholars. From a pool of over 5,400 applicants, the Loran Scholars Foundation recognizes just 36 young leaders who demonstrate strength of character and a deep commitment to service.
Anna Brozek from Lockview High School in Fall River organizes student-led leadership conferences in Halifax. She is a former member of the Nova Scotia Youth Climate Council. She heads her school's environment club, serves on student council, organized a youth climate seminar and helped design an indigenous student space at Lockview High.
Moriah Aladejebi from Sackville High School is co-president of student council, co-captain of the varsity volleyball team and an inclusion support worker for children with disabilities. She volunteers weekly as a Sunday school teacher, organizes activities for international students and helped facilitate a Black youth-led conference.
Needless to say, these are two impressive young women. On behalf of everyone in our riding, I congratulate Anna and Moriah on their great achievement.
Jeff Kibble Conservative Cowichan—Malahat—Langford, BC
Mr. Speaker, the Liberals have signalled their intent to remove collaborative amendments to Bill C‑11 dealing with military sexual assault, amendments that survivors asked for and experts supported overwhelmingly. The Liberals are about to single-handedly undo decades of progress in military conduct. They would make things worse than we can imagine.
At the heart of the debate is something very simple: giving survivors the choice between the civilian and the military justice systems. If the government removes these amendments, survivors would have access only to the civilian justice system. The consequences would be immediate and unavoidable. There would be institutional trauma and revictimization among survivors who trusted us to listen. Going forward, a majority of military sexual assault cases would go unaddressed or untried. Civilian police forces would be handed cases they have repeatedly said they cannot absorb, and worse, the majority of cases would not meet the threshold for prosecution by civilian authorities.
The Liberals would be opening the door to predators, abandoning survivors of military sexual assault and deceiving Canadians into believing they care about victims. It is shameful.
Helena Jaczek Liberal Markham—Stouffville, ON
Mr. Speaker, this week marks World Immunization Week. Immunizations are the most effective tool against preventable diseases such as polio that have ended or changed the lives of millions of people. In Canada, it was only a few decades ago that we were finally able to eradicate polio. Since then, through the efforts of advocates and mechanisms like the global polio eradication initiative, we are on the brink of eradicating polio globally.
Nations around the world are pulling back their funding, yet polio anywhere remains a threat to people everywhere. Canada has continued to be a global leader in immunization, but we still need investments like the GPEI to stop outbreaks through surveillance and to ensure polio eradication through vaccinations.
This World Immunization Week, we can be proud that Canada's continued support for immunizations and the global polio eradication initiative is helping ensure that future generations can live in a world free of polio.
David McKenzie Conservative Calgary Signal Hill, AB
Mr. Speaker, today, children, youth and families from across Canada are joining us on Parliament Hill. They are here with Children First Canada, a national charity headquartered in Calgary Signal Hill. They are calling on the government to table comprehensive legislation to ensure that kids are safe online. Among the youth here today are 12‑year‑old Zachary and 11‑year‑old twins Zahra and Leena. They were eight years old and seven years old respectively when the government pledged to put in place online safety legislation.
Where are we today? We are seeing a rapidly changing digital landscape where social media, gaming platforms and now artificial intelligence are shaping children's lives in ways that can easily be harmful. In 2019, one in four children aged 12 to 17 reported being cyber-bullied. By age 25, one in five Canadians is diagnosed with a mental illness.
We must do more to secure childhood for Canada's children. I urge the Liberals to stop the delay, break the pattern—
Online Safety of ChildrenStatements by Members
Louis Villeneuve Liberal Brome—Missisquoi, QC
Mr. Speaker, today, I would like to pay tribute to the Neville family from Venise-en-Québec in my riding of Brome—Missisquoi, who donated 75 hectares of ecologically valuable land to the Nature Conservancy of Canada. This gesture is part of a family story that dates back to 1846. Seven generations have lived on this land, and now they are choosing to make it part of our collective legacy.
This kind of leadership truly makes a difference. It shows that protecting our natural environment is the responsibility not only of governments but also of citizens who choose to take action for future generations.
That is exactly the purpose of Motion No. 15, which we adopted recently: to provide better support for the voluntary conservation of private land, while recognizing the importance of ecological gifts, whether in the form of land or money.
I want to give my thanks to the Neville family and to all people who are stepping up to protect our natural environment. Their leadership is inspiring, and their legacy will live on for generations to come.
Gérard Deltell Conservative Louis-Saint-Laurent—Akiawenhrahk, QC
Mr. Speaker, April is Daffodil Month. For the Canadian Cancer Society, this flower is a symbol of resilience and solidarity.
When a person is diagnosed with cancer, it turns their whole world upside down, but they do not have to fight this battle alone. Today, my thoughts are with the families across the country who are battling cancer because, behind each statistic, there are faces, families, friends and colleagues who are courageously facing this disease.
My thoughts go out to Lyne Bernatchez, a valued member of the Louis-Saint-Laurent—Akiawenhrahk parliamentary team who is currently battling cancer with amazing strength and dignity. The whole team stands with Lyne.
Together, let us continue to support research so that, one day, we will finally be able to say that cancer is a thing of the past.
Julie Dzerowicz Liberal Davenport, ON
Mr. Speaker, 52 years ago this month, on April 25, 1974, the Portuguese people ended nearly 40 years of dictatorship, and they did it almost without firing a shot. Soldiers placed carnations in the muzzle of their rifle. People then walked into the streets, and they chose democracy.
In my constituency of Davenport, which is home to the largest Portuguese community in Canada, we remember 25 de abril every year, but this year we remember it differently. Democracy is being tested again by authoritarianism, by disinformation and by leaders who treat freedom as inconvenient. The Portuguese diaspora knows this story. It members left a country that gave them too little future, and they came to places like Toronto, where they built new lives and strengthened ours. From their new home country, they also helped keep a freer Portugal alive.
Canada stood with them then, and we must continue to stand for democracy now, at home and everywhere it is threatened.
Dominique Vien Conservative Bellechasse—Les Etchemins—Lévis, QC
Mr. Speaker, today I want to pay tribute to Michel Garant, a Lévis resident originally from Saint‑Lazare‑de‑Bellechasse who died much too soon on March 20 at the age of 68.
As a building contractor, he made his mark by delivering superior workmanship, particularly while contributing to the restoration of heritage buildings across Quebec. Following an accident in 2004 that left him a paraplegic, Mr. Garant showed remarkable resilience. He became actively involved in his community as a paracyclist, completing a cross-Canada tour to help the organization Fondation MIRA and launching the Pédal-Don fundraising initiative.
Through his involvement with the Association des personnes handicapées de Bellechasse, he became an inspiration to many. He was also a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. He leaves an incredible legacy.
I offer my sincere condolences to his family and loved ones.
Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe Bloc Lac-Saint-Jean, QC
Mr. Speaker, last month, a Lac-Saint-Jean business was showcased on the world stage at the 98th Academy Awards. The work of Samuel Bilodeau and the entire team at Bilodeau Canada was highlighted at the Oscars ceremony when Guillermo del Toro's film Frankenstein won the award for best costumes.
Frankenstein, which won three Oscars, owes part of its success to the work done in the town of Normandin. It was there that more than 250 pieces were created for the production, far away from the bright lights of Hollywood. From the coats worn by the main characters, including Victor Frankenstein, to the wolves' costumes that appear in the film, Bilodeau's craftsmanship has impressed many.
The Lac-Saint-Jean-based clothing manufacturer also designed four sleds and several trappers' barrels for the Oscar-winning feature film. These pieces, crafted in the heart of Lac-Saint-Jean, contributed to the film's success and are a source of immense pride.
I wish to extend my heartfelt congratulations to Samuel and Marie‑Josée and to the entire Bilodeau team.
Kent MacDonald Liberal Cardigan, PE
Mr. Speaker, spring lobster season is under way in P.E.I. Traps were set on the southeast shore of the island this morning, and the north side will be setting their gear tomorrow morning. As islanders, setting day reminds us how important the lobster industry is for P.E.I. More than 8,000 jobs and close to $1 billion in economic activity are connected to the seafood industry. Setting day reminds us of the personal connections we all have to lobster fishing and the generations of work behind those handmade traps and uniquely coloured buoys.
Islanders all know someone braving the winds and the waves with that first load of traps. We all worry a little, especially for the younger fishers entering the business. It is my nephew Jarrett's first setting day with his own fleet. Good luck, Jarrett, and good luck to all fishers. When that first trap comes up over the washboard, we are all waiting for that first feed of lobsters with some good old ADL butter.
On setting day 2026, I ask this House to join me in wishing fair weather, a safe return to port and full traps for all.
Philip Lawrence Conservative Northumberland—Clarke, ON
Mr. Speaker, Canadians need relief at the grocery store. They need relief at the pumps. Conservatives are calling on the Liberal government to scrap all federal gas and diesel taxes for the rest of the year. Cancelling a third of the taxes for a third of the year is not good enough. It is time to remove the fuel excise tax, GST on gas and diesel, the industrial carbon tax and the clean fuel standard tax for the rest of 2026. Conservatives want a country where Canadians do not have to choose between a full grocery cart and a full gas tank. Let us get it done.
Viviane LaPointe Liberal Sudbury, ON
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honour the memory of Vinod and Shilpa Patel, two constituents of Sudbury who tragically lost their lives on April 7 in a highway accident on Highway 69. This is not an isolated tragedy. Sadly, Highway 69 has claimed too many lives. For years, the people of Sudbury and northern Ontario have been promised that this dangerous corridor would be completed. Those promises have gone unfulfilled, and families are paying for that inaction with their lives. I have written to Premier Ford urging him to finally deliver on this long overdue commitment. The four-laning of Highway 69 is, in every way, a matter of life and death. Vinod and Shilpa Patel deserved to come home. Their families deserve better. Every driver on that road deserves better.
I call on the Government of Ontario to act before another family is torn apart on a highway that should have been made safe years ago.
Carol Anstey Conservative Long Range Mountains, NL
Mr. Speaker, Canadians are feeling the pressure every time they pull up to the pump, and they are not getting the relief that they were promised. The Prime Minister claims affordability is a priority, but his plan only scrapped a fraction of fuel taxes for a fraction of the year, leaving Canadians still paying almost 15% more than the Americans because of high taxes and a weak dollar. In Newfoundland and Labrador, families are already stretched thin, paying more at the pump, more for groceries and more to heat their homes. Conservatives are calling for real relief: the removal of federal gas and diesel taxes for the rest of the year, including the GST on fuel. That would mean up to 25¢ per litre in savings, about $20 every time a family fills up and over $1,200 this year.
At a time when Statistics Canada reports the worst food inflation in the G7, Canadians should not have to choose between buying groceries and filling their tanks. Conservatives will keep fighting to lower costs and deliver the real results Canadians are still waiting for.
Guillaume Deschênes-Thériault Liberal Madawaska—Restigouche, NB
Mr. Speaker, this year, 2026, we are proud to be celebrating 80 years of French-language post-secondary education in northwestern New Brunswick.
Collège Saint‑Louis, founded in 1946 by the Eudist Fathers, and Collège Maillet, founded in 1949 by the Religious Hospitallers of St. Joseph, laid the groundwork for what would later become the Edmundston Campus of the Université de Moncton. Since then, this institution has played a vital, essential role in regional development and in the economic, social and cultural vitality of our francophone, Acadian and Madawaska communities. Over the decades, the Edmundston Campus has trained generations of students and nurtured cutting-edge research.
To mark this 80th anniversary, the Association des anciennes, anciens et ami.es de Saint‑Louis—Maillet, the Edmundston Campus' alumni and friends association, is sponsoring a series of activities, including homecoming celebrations in June. Congratulations to everyone who has played a role in shaping this institution's rich history. Long live the Edmundston Campus of the Université de Moncton.
Branden Leslie Conservative Portage—Lisgar, MB
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister needs to understand that the public purse is not his personal travel rewards card. I know that he likes to fly but there are no Aeroplan points when the government spends billions of dollars that it does not have. There is no free checked bag for the next generation. There is no lounge access for taxpayers, and there is definitely no complimentary upgrade when the country is stuck at the back of the plane with a maxed-out credit card.
Since taking office, the Prime Minister has added $90 billion in net new spending and the cost of running government is up 9% in under a year. The Liberals are now spending more to service our national debt than the government collects in the GST, or, as it should soon be called, the debt servicing tax. That should set off alarm bells for everyone in our country, and anyone who thinks this can continue should give their head a shake. When interest payments eat up more of the budget, there is less money for health care, defence and infrastructure.
Canadians do not need a Prime Minister asking for a higher credit limit. They need a government that remembers that taxpayers are the ones footing the bill.
Karina Gould Liberal Burlington, ON
Mr. Speaker, today we welcome to Parliament Hill children and youth from across Canada, including members of the Young Canadians’ Parliament, who are here to deliver a simple and urgent message, that time is up on online harms. They are joined by parents whose lived experience gives this call for action profound urgency and who are standing up to protect other children from similar harm.
Together, they are part of the growing Countdown for Kids movement led by Children First Canada, reminding us that children have waited years for online safety legislation at the cost of real and preventable harm.
As a parent and as someone who has fought hard for children's rights in Canada, I look forward to the government presenting legislation on online harms and to the House finally putting the safety of our kids first and passing it quickly. These children are asking for us to act now, to put their safety first, to work together and to show that protecting children is never optional.
Pierre Poilievre ConservativeLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, according to Le Journal de Montréal, while this Liberal Prime Minister continues to pay the nation's bills with a credit card, half of Quebeckers aged 50 and older are worried they will not have enough money for retirement. What is more, twice as many Quebeckers now have to go back to work during retirement just to make ends meet.
After 10 years of inflationary deficits and taxes, the Prime Minister is increasing spending even further. Is he going to reduce these inflationary deficits, or is he going to charge it to seniors' credit cards?
François-Philippe Champagne LiberalMinister of Finance and National Revenue
Mr. Speaker, I know that it is Monday and that the Leader of the Opposition is always on the lookout for good news. Well, we have some good news this morning: Canada's first sovereign wealth fund, the Canada Strong fund. This fund is designed to help create collective wealth, to enable Canadians to build major projects from coast to coast to coast, and to set us apart among the G7 countries.
Let us celebrate a Canada for everyone. Let us celebrate a fund for a strong Canada.
Pierre Poilievre ConservativeLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, it is a sovereign wealth fund with no wealth. There is no wealth to put into it. It is really more of a debt fund. It is a credit card budget: more debt, more costs, more inflation, more taxes, more of the same. This Prime Minister is just another Liberal. He inherited a jaw-dropping $31‑billion deficit from Justin Trudeau, but since then, he has added $90 billion in inflationary spending.
Tomorrow, will he reduce the deficit or will he put all that on the national credit card and drive up the cost of living even more?
François-Philippe Champagne LiberalMinister of Finance and National Revenue
Mr. Speaker, I have more good news for the Leader of the Opposition. The International Monetary Fund recently said that Canada has the second-fastest growth in the G7. It is nearly twice as fast as Germany's, almost twice as fast as Japan's and almost three times as fast as Italy's.
This morning, we announced a sovereign wealth fund so Canadians across the country can build the country with us, create collective wealth and invest in these major projects.
Pierre Poilievre ConservativeLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, more debt, more costs, more taxes. The Prime Minister is just another Liberal. The Liberal government doubled the debt, doubled housing costs and doubled food bank lineups. The previous prime minister left behind an outrageous $31-billion deficit for this fiscal year. Since that time, the new Liberal Prime Minister has been spending at even higher rates and putting it on the national credit card. That means the bankers make more and Canadian workers and seniors keep less.
Will the Prime Minister at least cap the deficit at Trudeau's $31 billion or will he break through that limit and put it on the credit card?
