Debates of May 1st, 2026

Youth Employment

[Kevin Lamoureux, Liberal, Winnipeg North, MB]

Mr. Speaker, there is a lot of good news in the spring economic update, which is something we should all be talking a lot about. One of the biggest initiatives the Conservative Party is really offside about, and talk about being insensitive, concerns the young people of Canada, the youth who want to get the jobs of the future.

Within the spring economic budget, we are building up the Red Seal program. Members can think of those who want to be a welder, plumber, machinist or pipefitter. There are so many professions out there to support our young people through the Red Seal program.

The government is supporting the Red Seal program. The Conservatives, on the other hand, say, “No, get out of the way.” They do not care about the young people of Canada. The Conservatives need to flip-flop their position, get onside and support our young people.

Finance

[Leslyn Lewis, Conservative, Haldimand—Norfolk, ON]

Madam Speaker, after a decade of costly spending, life has never been more expensive for Canadians. Families in this country pay more for gas, groceries and housing. These are costs that they can barely afford. The Prime Minister's costly budget is just more of the same Liberal policies that have driven millions of Canadians to the food banks, with more government spending, more debt and more taxes.

When will the Prime Minister finally end his costly borrowing so that Canadians can afford to live?

[Ryan Turnbull, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance and National Revenue and to the Secretary of State (Canada Revenue Agency and Financial Institutions)]

Madam Speaker, the member said, “more taxes.” From my count, our government has put in place over 19 tax cuts. We are singularly focused on bringing down costs for Canadians.

We have paused the excise tax on fuel and cut the consumer carbon tax. We have cut income tax. We have cut GST on new homes. We have cut tax for mineral and critical mineral exploration. We have cut tax for businesses that invest in R and D, new machinery, equipment, IP protection and IT networks. We cut taxes for tradespeople who have to travel for work and for those who invest in clean tech—

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker (Alexandra Mendès), Alexandra Mendes]

The hon. member for Haldimand—Norfolk.

[Leslyn Lewis, Conservative, Haldimand—Norfolk, ON]

Madam Speaker, the Liberals are just creating new packaging to hide the same old spending and record deficits. Now, they want to borrow $25 billion to create another bureaucracy that Canadians never asked for. Their so-called wealth fund has no wealth. It is borrowed money, built on the same failed Infrastructure Bank policies that lost money and rewarded only Liberal insiders.

Why will the Liberals not admit that they are simply hiding their reckless spending with more deficit—

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker (Alexandra Mendès), Alexandra Mendes]

The hon. parliamentary secretary.

[Ryan Turnbull, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance and National Revenue and to the Secretary of State (Canada Revenue Agency and Financial Institutions)]

Madam Speaker, I had run out of time because there are so many tax cuts that our government has put in place that I just could not fit them in, so let me continue.

We cut taxes for those who invest in clean technology, clean hydrogen and clean electricity, as well as for those who invest in carbon capture, utilization and storage. We cut taxes for employers who sell their small business to their employees. We cancelled the capital gains tax increase. We made it easier to access the disability tax credit.

Canada has the most competitive tax rate in all of the G7, and we have made it easier for Canadians to file their taxes so they can take advantage of both tax deductions and federal—

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker (Alexandra Mendès), Alexandra Mendes]

The hon. member for Long Range Mountains.

[Carol Anstey, Conservative, Long Range Mountains, NL]

Madam Speaker, the latest Statistics Canada data is heartbreaking for our country. Nearly 10 million Canadians, including 2.4 million children, are now living in food-insecure households. At home, this means parents in Cow Head and Mainland are skipping meals so their kids can eat. It means seniors are choosing between heat and meat, yet this week's budget shows the Liberals are still addicted to credit card spending, which drives up the cost of everything.

The Prime Minister has doubled Trudeau's deficit. How many more children in Newfoundland and Labrador have to go hungry before the Liberal Prime Minister stops his costly credit card spending and makes food affordable?

[Leslie Church, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Secretaries of State for Labour]

Madam Speaker, let us take a look at the record of those across the aisle and of all the programs that the Conservatives continue to vote against. They are voting against a national school food program. They are voting against dental care for Canadians. They are voting against the groceries and essentials benefit that, in five weeks' time, on June 5, is going to be putting dollars into the pockets of families right across Canada.

These Conservatives vote against affordable child care. They vote against the Canada child benefit. If the member wants to stand up to talk about making life more affordable for Canadians, she should come over here, get on board and vote for the programs that are supporting Canadians.

[Carol Anstey, Conservative, Long Range Mountains, NL]

Madam Speaker, before the Liberals took power, children and families did not need school food programs to feed their families.

Canada now has the highest food inflation in the G7. A new report from Dalhousie University confirms that one in three Canadians is now forced to borrow money just to buy groceries. Canadian families are being crushed by a decade of Liberal credit card budgeting. The Liberals keep spending more while Canadians get less.

Why has the Liberal Prime Minister doubled the deficit? When will he stop his costly credit card spending so families can actually afford to eat?

[Leslie Church, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Secretaries of State for Labour]

Madam Speaker, fighting for Canadians means delivering a responsible economic plan, which is exactly what we did on Tuesday by delivering a copy to every member in the House.

Canada has the strongest fiscal position in the G7. We have the lowest debt burden. We have the second-strongest GDP growth right now. We have the highest labour force participation in the G7. We have the highest per capita investment in the G7, more than double what is happening in the United States.

Why does this matter for Canadian families? When we grow our economy, we create prosperity and we create jobs that are going to support Canadians now and into the—

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker (Alexandra Mendès), Alexandra Mendes]

The hon. member for Montmorency—Charlevoix.

[Gabriel Hardy, Conservative, Montmorency—Charlevoix, QC]

Madam Speaker, this week's economic update proves that the Liberal reflex is the same as ever: a credit card budget, more costs, more debt, more spending and more taxes. Nothing much has changed. We have a new Liberal big spender for a Prime Minister who has not only doubled this year's deficit, but plans to keep doing the same thing for the next five years, putting us $55 billion in the hole year after year. In the meantime, Canadians are paying sky-high prices at the grocery store, and one in four is experiencing food insecurity.

When is the Prime Minister going to rein in his spending so that Quebeckers can make ends meet?

[Caroline Desrochers, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure]

Madam Speaker, I know that members on the other side of the House have trouble with the facts, but I am going to remind them of a few.

Canada's fiscal position is the best in the G7. We are leading the G7 in investments. We have the second-strongest growth of the G7. On this side of the House, we are responding and adapting to a changing world. We are capable of imagining the future and making the necessary decisions. Our way of governing is responsible and ambitious, and most of all, we continue to be there for Canadians in need, with tax cuts, a dental plan, food assistance, a training program and the sovereign wealth fund. That is what building Canada strong for all Canadians means.

[Gabriel Hardy, Conservative, Montmorency—Charlevoix, QC]

Madam Speaker, I want to talk facts. According to several recent studies, including a Dalhousie University report, Quebeckers and Canadians are now choosing their food not based on what they need, but on what they can afford. Demand at food banks is skyrocketing and families are struggling. In Montmorency—Charlevoix, families are tightening their belts while watching the Liberals spend their hard-earned money.

How long will it take for the Liberal government to realize that Quebeckers and Canadians are not bottomless pits of money? When will the Liberals govern in a way that gives families some breathing room?

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

Mr. Speaker, economic turmoil is making life more expensive for Canadians. That is why we can count on a Prime Minister who understands the gravity of the situation and is taking decisive action. In my constituency, as in my colleague's, many children go to school on an empty stomach. However, thanks to our school food program, school children in my riding and in my colleague's riding will be able to have a lunch. That is how we build a strong Canada, with both our heads and our hearts.

The Economy

[Yves Perron, Bloc, Berthier—Maskinongé, QC]

Madam Speaker, we just lost 300 jobs in only four days in the Chaudière-Appalaches region. Following the announcement by South Shore Furniture, Bestar announced yesterday that it would have to declare bankruptcy. We are talking about companies that have been in business for 86 and 75 years, respectively. In both cases, the U.S. tariffs, lack of liquidity and the dumping caused by the trade war are to blame. There are a number of things that should be done. The first is a wage subsidy to save our jobs. We have been proposing that for a long time.

When will the government finally take action?

[Caroline Desrochers, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure]

Madam Speaker, on this side of the House, we are here for Canadians. We understand that things are tough. That is why we lowered taxes, implemented the school food program and provided training for workers. We are here for Canadians.

I want to ask my colleague, where would he cut? Would he cut the infrastructure agreements that we signed with Quebec? We gave them $1 billion. Would he make cuts to the 855 units we just announced a few months ago in Joliette, in his riding, and in the Laurentides? Would he make cuts to infrastructure projects, the expansion of the port in Contrecoeur—

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker (Alexandra Mendès), Alexandra Mendes]

The hon. member for Berthier—Maskinongé.

[Yves Perron, Bloc, Berthier—Maskinongé, QC]

Madam Speaker, we, the Bloc Québécois, are in favour of scrapping oil and gas subsidies. Our wage subsidy proposal to protect jobs during the tariff crisis involves taking action before layoffs occur, not after.

This week, 300 jobs were lost at two furniture manufacturing plants. This follows on the heels of 300 layoffs at Paccar, in Sainte‑Thérèse. A lot of other companies are crying out for help, including Liard Industries in Joliette, Cyrell AMP in Beloeil, ADF in Terrebonne, Max Atlas in Saint‑Jean‑sur‑Richelieu, M.L. Pro‑tech in St-Boniface or Acier Hason in Lanoraie, and the list goes on.

We are going to work with the government. Our hand is outstretched. However, does the government realize the urgency involved?

[Carlos Leitão, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Industry]

Madam Speaker, yes, of course we realize the seriousness of the situation. I also gladly accept my colleague's offer to collaborate.

Naturally, this situation results from the unjustified and unjustifiable U.S. tariffs, but also from products manufactured in Asia and dumped on our markets. Investigations are in progress and announcements will follow very soon.

Small Business

[Mario Beaulieu, Bloc, La Pointe-de-l'Île, QC]

Madam Speaker, the new U.S. tariffs announced on April 6 specifically target Quebec's SMEs. The economic update should have included protection for Quebec against these tariffs, but it is completely absent from the document. The economic update needs an update, and it needs it now.

Quebec lost 300 jobs this week. How many more Quebeckers will face the same fate before the government finally introduces a wage subsidy?

[Carlos Leitão, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Industry]

Madam Speaker, yes, the situation is serious. Our neighbours continue to change the rules of the game arbitrarily. Although they are still our neighbours, they are completely unreliable. First, it is important to identify the source of the problem. It stems from our neighbours' completely senseless actions.

We are putting the necessary programs in place to help our businesses get through this very difficult time. Announcements are coming soon. We need to remain flexible in how we provide support. We will be making announcements on this very soon.

Finance

[Andrew Scheer, Conservative, Regina—Qu'Appelle, SK]

Madam Speaker, the Liberal Prime Minister is racking up billions of dollars on the national credit card. Canadians thought they were getting a different approach with the new Prime Minister, but it turns out he is just another costly Liberal. The more he grows the deficit, the more expensive things get. New data out this week proves that. Statistics Canada confirms nearly 10 million Canadians, or almost one in four, are living in food-insecure households. One in three Canadians are now borrowing money just to afford groceries. Life did not used to be like this in Canada.

Instead of delivering a deficit even bigger than Justin Trudeau's, why does the Liberal Prime Minister not end the credit card budgeting so that Canadians can afford to live?