Debates of May 1st, 2026

Spring Economic Update 2026 Implementation Act

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

Madam Speaker, I want to know what my colleague thinks about the fact that the economic update does not take the current tariff crisis into account. It ignores the fact that President Trump's imposition of new 25% tariffs on all products containing steel and aluminum will create major challenges for many businesses in Quebec and the rest of Canada.

What does my colleague think about that?

[Pat Kelly, Conservative, Calgary Crowfoot, AB]

Madam Speaker, I only had 10 minutes. I am glad I got that question. The hon. member raised the tariffs. This is a terrible moment in which we find ourselves with respect to the tariffs.

Again, this is the government that said it had the answers. It promised and ran in an election campaign promising a deal by last July. The deal has not happened. There is no visible evidence of progress toward a deal. I do not know what the Liberals' plan is. They just seem to think that their own slogans or walking around saying “elbows up” will solve the problem.

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

Madam Speaker, I just have one short question.

How does the hon. member explain the fact that, despite all of the doom and gloom, that Canada is broken, we still have a AAA credit rating?

[Pat Kelly, Conservative, Calgary Crowfoot, AB]

Madam Speaker, that is a credit to past prime ministers, who bequeathed this government a balanced budget in 2015. He may note that it gives me no joy to point out that we are at the bottom of the OECD for per capita GDP and that the standard of living in the country has not improved over the tenure of the government. Yes, they are clinging to that one, but we have seen how they discharge all of their anchors and all of their measurements, all of the bars to which they measure themselves, when necessary.

[Dane Lloyd, Conservative, Parkland, AB]

Madam Speaker, the Liberal government, for 11 years, has been the worst investor of any government in Canadian history. There is a litany of projects, but I just want to talk about one today. Moltex Energy Canada was purporting to make molten-salt nuclear reactors in New Brunswick. The Liberal government poured $55 million, taxpayer dollars, into this boondoggle. It just went into insolvency and has been sold off for $11 million.

Can the member for Calgary Crowfoot talk about the government's poor record of investment? It loves spending taxpayer dollars on its schemes, but taxpayers rarely ever get their money back.

[Pat Kelly, Conservative, Calgary Crowfoot, AB]

Madam Speaker, that is the natural, expected outcome of an economic management system based on rent-seeking and favour-seeking from government.

[Michael Guglielmin, Conservative, Vaughan—Woodbridge, ON]

Madam Speaker, it is an honour to rise on behalf of the great people of the riding of Vaughan—Woodbridge.

Every Canadian household will pay $3,400 this year for the interest on the federal debt. That is $3,400 per household gone, just to service what the government has borrowed. That number is only going to rise in the foreseeable future. That one number tells Canadians everything they need to know about the Liberal government’s 2026 budget.

The finance minister stood in this place just three days ago and told Canadians, “the dream of Canada is alive and well. Young people, increasingly, see themselves in building Canada strong, and we will be there with them.” I would invite the minister to put down the prepared remarks and speak to the young people I represent.

About 47% of Canadian home builders are laying off workers. In Ontario, that figure climbs up to 65%. More Canadians are starting businesses in the United States than in Canada. Half a trillion dollars in net investment has fled south of the border. How does the minister call this a dream? For too many young Canadians trying to afford a home, find a job or start a business in this country, it is a nightmare from which they cannot awake.

The minister went further and told this House, “Generations will look back at the Prime Minister, the government and the current Parliament and say that we were there for them. We are building long-term wealth and growth.” Indeed, generations will look back at this. They will look back at $80 billion a year in interest payments. They will look back at a government that called debt an investment and mortgaged their future. The government is not building long-term wealth. It is building long-term debt and calling it long-term wealth.

It gets much worse than that. The Prime Minister himself straight up misled Canadians when he claimed, just a few weeks ago, “Affordability is the best it has been in over a decade.” Every Canadian I have spoken to, regardless of who they are, knows this is false.

Let us consider what Conservatives asked for in this update. We asked for the deficit to be capped at $31 billion, the figure Justin Trudeau projected in his last fiscal update, a figure that brought down a finance minister and a prime minister. It is the very deficit that almost toppled a federal government. Under this Prime Minister, the Liberals have more than doubled that number: $66.9 billion this year. That is six straight years of deficits above $53 billion and 11 straight years of deficits from the Liberals.

What is amazing is that the Liberals celebrate their $67-billion deficit as if they are being fiscally responsible and stewards of economic management. Imagine this. The Liberals put forward a budget and have a projected deficit of around $80 billion. They then put out a spring economic statement and say, “Look how amazing we are. The deficit is only $67 billion, still more than double what was projected the year Trudeau was prime minister, but less than what we projected a few short months ago. How great are we?” We do not have to imagine that, because that is exactly what the Liberal Prime Minister has done.

Outside of the pandemic, this is the largest deficit in Canadian history, and spending as a share of our economy is the highest it has been since 1996. The government calls this fiscal discipline. This is not discipline. This is a windfall. There was $60.3 billion in new revenue that walked through the finance minister's door, the product of higher personal and corporate taxes, which hurt our competitiveness, and higher oil prices. What did the Prime Minister do with this extra money? He spent it. The government spent two-thirds of a gift it did not earn and asked Canadians to applaud the restraint.

The trajectory is actually worse than the headline. Public debt charges are rising 50%, from $54 billion today to almost $81 billion five years from now, more than the government spends on health care transfers and more than it collects from every Canadian who pays GST. While interest climbs, growth falls. Real GDP growth has averaged 2.1% over the last 25 years. It is projected to be 1.7% this decade, and 1.5% for decades to come. The government is borrowing more, growing less and spending the difference on interest. It is mortgaging the future of our children and grandchildren.

Then, there is the sovereign wealth fund. The key word in “sovereign wealth fund” is “wealth”. Norway has surpluses. Saudi Arabia has surpluses. Singapore has surpluses. Canada has a $66-billion deficit and $1.3 trillion in debt. The $25 billion seeding the fund is borrowed. That is not a sovereign wealth fund; it is a sovereign debt fund. Members do not have to take my word for it; they can take the word of independent voices.

Build Canada, a non-partisan civic movement that supports founders and innovators in this country, calls the Canada Strong fund a “war bond”, where Canadians are being asked to “buy equity in the projects” that the government cannot get off the ground by its own merits. The Montreal Economic Institute put it plainly: “We don't need a Canada Infrastructure Bank 2.0”.

The Infrastructure Bank is a cautionary tale. Of 108 projects, only 11 have been completed. The Parliamentary Budget Officer found that the bank will fall $20.1 billion short of its disbursement target. Sixty-seven per cent of its partner funding came from the public sector. The very private capital it was supposed to attract, it is not attracting. The transport committee of this House recommended abolishing it. The government's response was to raise its spending limit by another $10 billion.

Canadian pension funds hold $1.33 trillion in foreign assets, 51% of their total holdings. Let us think about that: 51% of their total holdings not invested in Canada.

Capital is not missing in this country; confidence is.

The spring economic statement mentions artificial intelligence six times across its entire length. There are six mentions and six pillars of the strategy that does not yet exist. The Minister of Artificial Intelligence set his own deadline to deliver the framework. He missed it. His office now tells Canadians the framework is coming soon, but with no specific timeline. Witnesses appearing before the industry committee on this very subject have called the government's consultation process rushed and too corporate-heavy. They have noted the absence of unions, civil society, researchers studying AI work, governance experts, privacy experts and human rights experts. A list of pillar names is not a strategy.

While Canada drafts press releases, our competitors are building the technology that will define the next century of economic growth.

Debt will cost $3,400 per household this year and $80 billion a year in interest by the end of the decade. We have a sovereign wealth fund with no wealth, a strategy with no plan, a finance minister who calls this a dream and a Prime Minister creating an illusion.

Conservatives reject this credit card budget. We would build a paycheque economy where hard work brings home a powerful paycheque, where families can afford groceries and can afford their homes, and where neighbourhoods are safe and opportunity in this country is real. That is the promise of Canada, and that is the promise we will keep.

That is why I move this amendment, seconded by the member for Parkland:

That the motion be amended by deleting all the words after the word "That" and substituting the following:

"the House decline to give second reading to Bill C-30, An Act to implement certain provisions of the spring economic update tabled in Parliament on April 28, 2026, since the Bill reflects the Prime Minister's approach to credit-card budgeting by:

(a) adding $37.5 billion in inflationary, net new spending;

(b) running a deficit more than double the $31 billion last projected when Justin Trudeau was prime minister;

(c) continuing to drive inflation up through the creation of more bureaucracies, rather than taking meaningful action to confront the affordability challenges facing Canadians by axing the taxes on groceries, eliminating the fuel standard and industrial carbon tax, scrapping the food packaging tax to make life affordable again; and

(d) failing to cut inflationary spending, currently being racked up on the country's credit card, such as the Alto rail project, the Liberal gun grab, excessive use of external consultants, foreign aid, corporate welfare, and taxpayer-funded handouts for fake asylum claimants.

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

The amendment is in order.

Questions and comments, the hon. parliamentary secretary.

[Kevin Lamoureux, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Madam Speaker, the Conservative Party has adopted a new-found “Get out of the way; I do not care” attitude. I reference the member's opening comments, when he was talking about young people and doing things for youth.

Within the spring update, there is a serious commitment to increase skilled trades Red Seal holders by between 80,000 and 100,000 over the next five years. The Conservative Party is actually voting against that particular project. I wonder how the member can justify it. Given his opening remarks regarding being there and supporting youth, why would the Conservative Party oppose a federal initiative to deal with Red Seal workers?

[Michael Guglielmin, Conservative, Vaughan—Woodbridge, ON]

Madam Speaker, $81 billion is the amount of money the Liberal government under the Liberal Prime Minister wants to mortgage away for our young people's future. The Liberal Party and the Liberal government had a chance to demonstrate that they were different. The Liberals had a year to say that they are a different government now and are going to reject the incompetent and fiscally irresponsible ways of the Justin Trudeau Liberal government, but they did not. The mask came off. It is the same Liberal, costly government it always has been.

In response to the hon. member, I would ask this: Where are the young people going to work? The Liberals have driven investment out of this country. Companies do not want to open businesses here. People do not want to stay here. There is a trillion-dollar gap between FDI and capital flight in this country. Where are the young people going to work? The Liberals should start acting fiscally responsibly and stop talking and pretending as if they were.

Thomas Kieley

[Paul Connors, Liberal, Avalon, NL]

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honour the life and legacy of a remarkable community leader, Mr. Thomas Kieley.

Tom was a deeply respected member of our community. He dedicated his life to his community. His commitment touched every aspect of our town, from organizing the minor hockey associations to being a member of the Kiwanis Club and of the Knights of Columbus as grand knight, to name a few. Tom brought his leadership to municipal government as well. He served eight years as a councillor, including two as deputy mayor.

Tom's contributions were formally recognized when he was inducted as a builder in the Conception Bay South Sports Hall of Fame. He was also awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal, honouring a lifetime of service.

Tom Kieley's leadership, integrity and unwavering dedication left a lasting mark on the town he loved.

Côte‑du‑Sud—Rivière‑du‑Loup—Kataskomiq—Témiscouata

[Bernard Généreux, Conservative, Côte-du-Sud—Rivière-du-Loup—Kataskomiq—Témiscouata, QC]

Mr. Speaker, today marks 12 years since I have had the privilege of becoming the member of Parliament for my constituency, now known as Côte-du-Sud—Rivière-du-Loup—Kataskomiq—Témiscouata. I was first elected in 2009 and, although I lost by nine votes during the “orange wave” a year and a half later, that gave me the determination to return in 2015 to continue my work.

The greatest satisfaction as an MP is helping people resolve the issues that worry them. There is nothing more rewarding than helping to improve people's lives.

Throughout all these years, I have been fortunate to be able to count on an exceptional person: Annie Francoeur. She has guided and supported me every step of the way, and she managed four of my six election campaigns. I would be remiss if I did not mention the incredible work of the rest of my team: Denise, An, Annie, Lauriane and Marianne, who give their all, every day, for my constituents.

Being an MP is an immense privilege. It also comes with great responsibility, and I hope to live up to the expectations of the people of my riding, both here in Ottawa and in the most beautiful riding in Canada.

I would like to thank all of my constituents.

Retirement Congratulations

[Ben Carr, Liberal, Winnipeg South Centre, MB]

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the remarkable career of Scott Oake, a proud Winnipegger and one of Canada's most trusted voices in sports.

For decades on Hockey Night in Canada, Scott brought Canadians together, not merely through highlights and interviews but also through his storytelling that captured the people behind our game. Scott has the rare ability to connect, to listen and to let others shine. He reflected the best of who we are back to the nation.

Beyond broadcasting, his impact runs even deeper. Through the Bruce Oake Recovery Centre, founded in memory of his son, Scott and his late wife Anne helped transform lives and brought hope to families facing addiction.

As Scott steps away from the broadcast booth, Canadians, especially Winnipeggers, thank him for a career defined by excellence, compassion and leadership. I congratulate Scott on an extraordinary career, and I thank him for everything he has given to our country. We look forward to having him back among his people in Winnipeg.

Justice

[Burton Bailey, Conservative, Red Deer, AB]

Mr. Speaker, this week I introduced Bill C-275, Melanie's law, named after Melanie from Red Deer, a woman who suffered a truly devastating violation. In a past relationship, she was drugged and sexually assaulted, and the assault was secretly filmed and shared online, all without her knowledge. The betrayal and trauma she endured is heartbreaking.

Tragically, Melanie is not alone. An investigation uncovered a disturbing network of abusers who commit these vile crimes and spread the material around the world. When Melanie's story was shared with me, I was horrified.

As parliamentarians, we have a duty to protect vulnerable Canadians and deliver justice for victims. Bill C-275 would make it a criminal offence to create, distribute or possess sexual assault material. The safety of Canadians is non-partisan, and justice for victims is not political. I urge all members of the House to learn about Melanie's law and to come together to support Melanie.

Farmers

[Kent MacDonald, Liberal, Cardigan, PE]

Mr. Speaker, it is planting time in P.E.I., so I give a big shout-out to farmers who are once again heading to their fields, beginning the important work of seeding new crops. Farming families rise early and work long hours, all while facing the uncertainties of climate change, input costs and global disruptions, yet they continue to deliver with determination and pride. They are the ultimate optimists.

Agriculture is at the heart of our communities, from potatoes to grains and livestock to horticulture. It all plays a vital role in supporting jobs and local economies across Canada, and especially in P.E.I., Canada's food island. I want to wish all farmers on the island and across this country, especially those closest to my heart, a safe and successful growing season. I thank them for their hard work, their stewardship of the land and their unwavering dedication to keeping food on our tables.

Birthday Congratulations

[Chris Lewis, Conservative, Essex, ON]

Mr. Speaker, Saturday was a special day of celebration of an amazing woman, mentor and friend. Mrs. Pauline Robinet was my grade 5 teacher at St. John de Brebeuf school in Kingsville. She has been instrumental in my life journey. Stern but fair, passionate and compassionate, she strived to create best outcomes for her students. After I got a perfect report card, I wrote Mrs. Robinet a letter stating that if I did not become a priest, I wanted to marry her.

I have the great honour of speaking to grade 5 and grade 10 civics classes across Essex. Our teachers today are equally special and want the very best for their students.

I thank Sister Mary Denise, Mrs. Robinet, for all she has done and continues to do, and I wish a happy 85th birthday to her, Mrs. R. Our world is a better place because of her.

Canada Strong for All

[Brendan Hanley, Liberal, Yukon, YT]

Mr. Speaker, in the 2026 spring economic update, we celebrate a vision of a more inclusive future. Our “Canada Strong for All” plan reflects sound fiscal management while making responsible investments in Canadian families.

Let me highlight just a few features members may have missed.

The playground to podium initiative invests over $700 million in sports development and infrastructure so our youth can thrive.

We are building for the long term with the new Canada Strong fund, ensuring our technological and energy sovereignty.

Team Canada strong will empower 100,000 new Red Seal workers to build the housing and infrastructure our country needs.

We are simplifying the disability tax credit to ensure that Canadians can access their benefits with efficiency and dignity.

Canada strong for all delivers growth people can count on.

Together, we are building a resilient, ambitious and truly strong nation for all.

Physical Activity

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

Mr. Speaker, there are moments in the life of a nation when we realize we are at a turning point. On Tuesday, we experienced that here. For the first time in history, an economic update has demonstrated that sports and physical activity are an important pillar of a healthy nation. This is not a Liberal or Conservative position. It is a Canadian position, and it was high time we adopted it.

A nation that invests in sports and physical activity is, above all, a nation that invests in its future. It invests in two ways: in the pride of seeing Olympic athletes bring home medals, but also in every young person who discovers sports and physical activity, and in the citizens who will remain active for the rest of their lives.

Indeed, we received some good news on Tuesday. When that happens, it is worth acknowledging. Now we need to deliver results. Canadians have heard a lot of announcements in recent years. In the end, history will remember the results. A strong country is not built on intentions, but on projects that are completed.

Let us move forward together, as Quebeckers and Canadians, proud and united in the conviction that physical activity is not only an important solution, but a fundamental pillar of the future of our country.

International Workers' Day

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

Mr. Speaker, today, May 1, I rise to pay tribute to the folks who are the backbone of Quebec society: workers.

On this international day of struggle to assert their rights, and our rights, it is essential that we remember the labour movement's many victories. Let us keep in mind that none of these have come easily, and that goes for more recent gains, like increasing the minimum wage, or what may seem like a basic right, like an eight-hour workday.

These have all been hard-fought battles led by the working class. We must never forget this, because now all the battles have to be fought once again in this rapidly changing digital and AI-based economy.

As the gap between the rich and the poor grows ever wider and shows no signs of narrowing, as the cost of living skyrockets, social justice erodes, and the line between work and personal life continues to blur, let us stand together and remain resilient.

Youth in Sydney-Glace Bay

[Mike Kelloway, Liberal, Sydney—Glace Bay, NS]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an incredible group of young Cape Bretoners.

In February, the Get Up & Get Organized Youth Summit brought together nearly 50 youth and community members in Sydney to tackle real issues: food security, housing, climate change and active transportation. Co-developed and led by youth aged 15 to 24, the summit gave young people a space to be heard, to lead and to build hope for our communities.

I had the privilege of meeting with the youth planning committee on April 1. Its message was clear: Young people care deeply about Cape Breton's future and want decision-makers to listen. I want to recognize the youth leaders, Isaac, Lily, Jordyn and Claire, along with Nova Scotia Health, the Ecology Action Centre and every partner organization that made this possible.

The voices of Cape Breton's youth matter, and we are listening.

Fuel Taxes

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

Mr. Speaker, across Canada, Canadians are working hard, but too many are falling behind and far too many know about the devastating experience of trying to fill a grocery cart for their family each week. For Canadians who are just trying to fill the gas tank to get to the office or the job site, the pain at the pump is not only too much to bear, but also more than they can afford.

The Libera-ls have said that they understand the affordability crisis Canadians are facing, but their measures for relief on gas do not go far enough for long enough. That is why Conservatives are proposing a 25¢‑per‑litre break at the pumps for the year, which would put $1,200 back in the pockets of Canadian families. The Liberals have the opportunity to work with Canadians to provide real relief for the families and workers who are building this country.

Spring in Taiaiako'n—Parkdale—High Park

[Karim Bardeesy, Liberal, Taiaiako'n—Parkdale—High Park, ON]

Mr. Speaker, 67 years and one month ago, Toru-Hagiwara, the Japanese ambassador to Canada, presented 2,000 Somei Yoshino sakura to the citizens of Toronto for their support of Japanese Canadian refugees after the Second World War. Tomorrow, we will reap the fruits of that gift and other gifts, which are a living testament to the friendship between our two nations and a reminder of one of the many hidden benefits of being a Canada that welcomes refugees.

High Park, the beating heart of our riding, will wake up. The flora and fauna will shake off winter, and High Park little league baseball will hold its opening day at Ernie Keith Field. The sakura cherry blossoms will be in full bloom, thanks to the hard-working public workers who help keep High Park safe and moving, as well as organizations, such as the High Park Nature Centre and the Bloor by the Park Business Improvement Area, that get our community excited about the sakura.

I ask people to join us in High Park this weekend and to bring their families, their friends and their cameras. They will join thousands of people in the renewal that spring brings and bask in the beauty of the sakura cherry blossoms.

Fuel Tax

[Kelly DeRidder, Conservative, Kitchener Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, Canadians are being forced to choose between a full tank of gas and a full grocery cart. After 10 years of rising costs, the government's plan only offered limited, short-term relief that has not actually lowered prices at the pump.

Conservatives have a plan for a full tank, which is to scrap all federal gas and diesel taxes for the rest of 2026, saving Canadians up to 25¢ per litre and over $1,200 for a family, because when we lower the cost of fuel, we lower the cost of everything. That matters because every truck driver delivering the goods, every small business needing those goods and every commuter that goes to work will feel this cost-savings in their wallets.

Canadians do not need another announcement. They need relief. It is time to deliver relief for Canadians that they can actually feel.

Disability Tax Credit

[Yasir Naqvi, Liberal, Ottawa Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, we are focused on making life better for Canadians.

One of the many measures in the spring economic update is the changes to the disability tax credit, which would make it easier for Canadians living with disabilities to be approved for the financial relief they deserve. These changes will streamline the application process by immediately certifying anyone who has their disability certified by a medical practitioner and expanding the list of medical practitioners who can certify the disabilities.

I want to thank the Parkdale Food Centre in my community of Ottawa Centre, the Canadian Medical Association and the College of Family Physicians of Canada for their advocacy on the importance of these changes. These measures are just some of the many ways that our government is building Canada strong for all.

Affordability

[David Bexte, Conservative, Bow River, AB]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister is just another costly Liberal. Canadians are out of money. The latest data from Dalhousie University shows a heartbreaking reality. Affordability is now the only thing driving food choices. For it, nutrition is being sacrificed and quality is being killed.

One in three Canadians is now borrowing money just to afford groceries. Families are scaling back, yet they are still spending more on food every single year. The government House leader is complaining that this is all he hears, but the pressure is rising.

The Prime Minister has doubled the Trudeau deficit and Canadians are the ones being crushed. Nothing has changed. This costly credit card budget means more debt, more costs, more spending and more taxes. It is more of the same. The Liberals are spending more and Canadians are getting less.

Families in Bow River and across the country deserve fairness. They deserve common sense, but most of all, they deserve to be able to afford their dinner.