Debates of May 26th, 2026

Department of Finance—Main Estimates, 2026-27

[François-Philippe Champagne, Liberal, Saint-Maurice—Champlain, QC]

Madam Chair, I thank the member for providing a very good summary to the House of the affordability measures we have presented. It is right to say that affordability is top of mind for the government. I would say it is top of mind for Canadians. The three issues when we talk about affordability with people are the cost of housing, the cost of food and the cost of gas.

The good news is that we have been acting on these three fronts. We have made generational investments to provide more affordable housing in this country, because we know this is the first pillar of affordability. Finding a home that is secure and affordable is the first pillar for Canadians and their families, which is why we have put forward a generational investment. This investment has been applauded by institutions like the International Monetary Fund. I will tell members that when I was in Washington, they mentioned that only two countries of the G7 can do this. They are Germany and Canada. Why? It is because these are the two countries that have the fiscal capacity, they have a AAA credit rating and if they make the right choices, this will support growth and at the same time tackle affordability. Therefore, housing has been one of the key pillars.

The second thing is groceries. We have seen the inflation when it comes to groceries. We understand that this is a real challenge for Canadians across the nation, which is why we did not wait. We decided to act with the groceries and essentials benefit, which is going to help. My colleague said it would help 11 million people, but it is even more. There are 12 million Canadians who are going to receive that boost.

This is very important because it is a 50% boost this year, but it is also bridged. We understand that we need to bonify the Canada groceries and essentials benefit so that Canadians will still have a bridge. We understand that when it comes to food inflation, not only do we need to do that but we also need to invest in structural things in order to grow more in Canada. That is why, on one end, we are helping people now, but we are also making structural investments so that we can grow more food in Canada and become more resilient. At the same time, we are pushing for competition, because competition in this sector and other sectors is the best way to provide better prices for Canadians.

[Jean-Denis Garon, Bloc, Mirabel, QC]

Madam Chair, I thank my colleagues for being here. I send my regards to the minister and thank him for being here. We always appreciate him.

Minister, officials from the Department of Finance and the Department of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities gave us a briefing on Bill C‑26, which you yourself tabled. We were reassured. We understood that the bill would not impose any conditions on the transfer of $1.7 billion to improve housing supply in Quebec. However, in the legislation, the minister has the discretionary power to establish and allocate the amounts as he sees fit.

Can the minister confirm that he will not impose any conditions that would infringe on Quebec's areas of jurisdiction and that the money will be distributed in such a way as to ensure that Quebec receives its fair share?

[François-Philippe Champagne, Liberal, Minister of Finance and National Revenue]

Madam Chair, I would like to begin by thanking my colleague for being here this evening to ask his important question.

I have already been in touch with the Government of Quebec and the other provincial governments to inform them of the amount that will be allocated. In the spirit of co-operative federalism, at the request of our provincial colleagues, we allowed the provinces to use these amounts for housing within existing provincial programs.

What I can say to my colleague this evening to reassure him is that the amount that is allocated to Quebec was based on a formula that Quebec fully understands. At the same time, we worked together to ensure that the funding could be quickly put to use in Quebec. Our colleagues in Quebec are very pleased.

[The Deputy Chair, Liberal, Alexandra Mendes]

I would like to remind members that they must direct their comments to the Chair.

The hon. member for Mirabel.

[Jean-Denis Garon, Bloc, Mirabel, QC]

Madam Chair, thank you for reining in the minister's enthusiasm. I think he needs that from time to time.

Minister, your government decided to—

[The Deputy Chair, Liberal, Alexandra Mendes]

The member must direct his comments to the Chair.

[Jean-Denis Garon, Bloc, Mirabel, QC]

Madam Chair, I also need reining in.

The government has decided to cut funding for agriculture and agri-food research, notably by closing the Quebec Research Centre in the riding of the Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement and Quebec Lieutenant. This cut is being criticized by the entire agricultural community, and it will hinder productivity gains and research.

Where in the budget are the funds to allow us to reopen this research centre immediately?

[François-Philippe Champagne, Liberal, Saint-Maurice—Champlain, QC]

Madam Chair, my colleague will be pleased to know that, when we conducted our exercise to identify $60 billion in savings within the federal government, we took great care to protect investments in research and innovation.

My colleague can rest assured that we have protected research and development because we know it is important not only for our communities but also for the future of the country.

[Jean-Denis Garon, Bloc, Mirabel, QC]

Madam Chair, the minister has just told us that there is not a penny in these estimates to reopen the agricultural research centre in the Quebec City region. Farmers in Mirabel and elsewhere will remember that.

I would like to know where, in these estimates, the additional $37 million needed for the independent local news fund is to be found. Our francophone media outlets are in crisis, and that money would enable them to weather the storm more effectively, given that their funding has just been cut following a CRTC decision.

[François-Philippe Champagne, Liberal, Saint-Maurice—Champlain, QC]

Madam Chair, I am pleased to say that the hon. member will see from the estimates that have been tabled that the measure he is referring to is indeed included in the economic statement I presented in the spring. He will be able to see for himself, in the estimates tabled in the House, the amounts that will be allocated specifically to support this program for journalists.

[Jean-Denis Garon, Bloc, Mirabel, QC]

Madam Chair, on budget day, the minister no doubt appreciated the way opposition members demonstrated in a compelling and humorous fashion how the government lacked ambition when it came to supporting the media.

The Prime Minister said he refused to pay an entry fee to negotiate a trade deal with President Trump, but all it took was a post on President Trump's Truth Social for the Prime Minister to decide to repeal the digital services tax.

I would like to know when he will reinstate the digital services tax so we can provide more adequate arts and culture funding.

When will the government reinstate the digital services tax instead of capitulating to the U.S. President?

[François-Philippe Champagne, Liberal, Saint-Maurice—Champlain, QC]

Madam Chair, I am sure my colleague knows that, under Canada's free trade agreement with the United States and Mexico, 85% of Canadian exports have exemptions and that Canada has one of lowest tariff rates overall, at around 5%.

We will always be here to stand up for the interests of our industries, including culture, of course, as well as film. We are here to stand up for all industries and workers. We will continue to do this for every sector.

Here is what I can tell my colleague: He can rest assured that we are here to defend the interests of all industries currently being affected by our neighbours' unjust tariffs.

[Jean-Denis Garon, Bloc, Mirabel, QC]

Madam Chair, the Minister of Finance is well aware that his Prime Minister bent the knee to Trump and paid the entry fee to negotiate. That is why he is avoiding the question. Now, in Bill C‑31, the government is once again bending the knee to President Trump by amending the Global Minimum Tax Act to exempt American companies.

Does it trouble the minister that this coincides with a decision by Brookfield, the Prime Minister's baby, to move its headquarters to the United States?

[François-Philippe Champagne, Liberal, Saint-Maurice—Champlain, QC]

Madam Chair, I am trying to understand the meaning of the question.

What I can say is that my role as Minister of Finance and the government's role is to work in the interest of building the strongest economy in the country, standing up for the interests of workers and industries in this country, and certainly making generational investments that lead to economic growth across the country.

[Jean-Denis Garon, Bloc, Mirabel, QC]

Madam Chair, again, the minister calls bowing to the U.S. President's demands generational investments.

It is worth noting that the government has asked Statistics Canada, the agricultural research centres, the National Research Council of Canada, the Canada Council for the Arts, and the National Film Board of Canada to tighten their belts, yet it has made cuts while finding money for the Governor General. A full one-third of a million dollars has been allocated to the Office of the Secretary to the Governor General.

I would like to know whether the minister or his government intends to ask the Governor General and her office to conduct research on agriculture.

[François-Philippe Champagne, Liberal, Saint-Maurice—Champlain, QC]

Madam Chair, I think the people watching us have been tightening their belts for quite some time now. I think it was perfectly normal for the government to undertake an exercise that will save $60 billion and tighten its belt. I think it is time for us to tighten our belts in Ottawa too. That is exactly what I was able to do with my colleagues. We identified $60 billion in savings to streamline the federal government's operations.

[Jean-Denis Garon, Bloc, Mirabel, QC]

Madam Chair, once again, he is cutting funding for science, agriculture and the National Film Board of Canada, but he managed to find one-third of a million dollars for the Governor General. Does he think the Governor General and her office now have the resources to produce a nice film for us about the $7,000 shoes the Governor General just might buy with that money?

[The Deputy Chair, Liberal, Alexandra Mendes]

I would like to remind members that they need to respect this country's head of state.

The hon. Minister of Finance.

[François-Philippe Champagne, Liberal, Saint-Maurice—Champlain, QC]

Madam Chair, thank you for that reminder.

To correct the statement made by my colleague, for whom I have a great deal of respect, I can say that we have, in fact, protected the security-related investments included in the budget. We also protected our defence budgets. We have protected budgets in areas such as research and development, because we are well aware of the importance of those sectors. The same goes for indigenous services. The idea was to protect certain departments. That is what we—

[The Deputy Chair, Liberal, Alexandra Mendes]

The hon. member for Mirabel.

[Jean-Denis Garon, Bloc, Mirabel, QC]

Madam Chair, the Standing Orders allow members, during the consideration of the estimates, to ask the minister about the expenses of the Office of the Secretary to the Governor General, which are on page 6 of the estimates. That is what I just did, having given myself that right with all due respect for the head of state.

Now, through a unanimous motion, the National Assembly has asked for $733 million to compensate it for the influx of asylum seekers, which the federal government is supposed to be responsible for. Naturally, I will not ask the minister where that money is in the estimates. I assume that it cannot be found anywhere, like most of Quebec's requests.

What does the minister think a motion unanimously adopted by the 125 elected members of the National Assembly is worth?

[François-Philippe Champagne, Liberal, Saint-Maurice—Champlain, QC]

Madam Chair, I have an excellent relationship with my colleagues in the Quebec government, and this is one of the topics we are discussing. I can reassure my Bloc Québécois colleague that communications with the Government of Quebec are going very well. I have frequent discussions with my Quebec counterparts. We will continue to work in the interest of Quebeckers and all Canadians.

I think that my colleague should be reassured this evening to know that the Minister of Finance is on very good terms with his colleagues in Quebec City.

[Jean-Denis Garon, Bloc, Mirabel, QC]

Madam Chair, we know the Minister of Finance. He is very nice and gets along with everyone, but when it comes time to comply with the unanimous requests of the National Assembly, he disappears. That is what we see in these estimates: The amount is not there, just like—I am guessing, though I wonder why—the $814 million stolen from Quebeckers when the Liberals bought votes in the last election by sending out rebate cheques in seven provinces for a carbon tax that people had not even paid. The National Assembly is unanimously requesting that $814 million. Its 125 elected officials are unanimous.

Where is that money in these estimates?

[François-Philippe Champagne, Liberal, Saint-Maurice—Champlain, QC]

Madam Chair, obviously I object to the wording of my colleague's question. I believe the language goes far beyond his intention, but I will give him the benefit of the doubt.

He knows that we will always be here to work in the best interests of all Canadians, including Quebeckers. I myself am proud to represent one of the largest ridings in Quebec, Saint-Maurice—Champlain. I want to salute the people of Saint-Maurice—Champlain who are listening to us tonight and thank them for allowing me to serve them here in Ottawa.

[Jean-Denis Garon, Bloc, Mirabel, QC]

Madam Chair, the minister is allocating $710 million in additional funding to Alto, which is still officially called VIA HFR after a project that was scrapped at the last minute.

I would like to know whether he is aware of how much of that amount will be used to pay for the expropriation of land, particularly in Mirabel, and how much of that amount will be used for Alto's advertising blitz, as this company has effectively become a communications firm.