House of Commons Hansard #122 of the 45th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was prices.
This summary is computer-generated. Usually it’s accurate, but every now and then it’ll contain inaccuracies or total fabrications.
Opposition Motion—Cancellation of Federal Taxes on Gas and Diesel and the Clean Fuel Standard Members debate a Conservative motion to eliminate federal gas and diesel taxes for the remainder of the year and repeal the Clean Fuel Standard. Conservatives argue this provides necessary relief for families facing inflation. Liberals defend their approach, citing targeted benefits for lower-income Canadians as more effective. The Bloc Québécois opposes the motion, contending that tax cuts primarily benefit the wealthy and oil corporations, arguing for measures that instead address the underlying cost of living. 50500 words, 6 hours in 2 segments: 1 2.
An Act to repeal certain restrictions on shipping Second reading of Bill C-264. The bill, Bill C-264, is a private member's motion by Conservative David McKenzie to repeal the Oil Tanker Moratorium Act, aiming to expand export potential for Canadian energy by allowing tanker shipments off the British Columbia coast. While supporters argue this will boost economic prosperity and energy security, opponents from the Liberal and Bloc parties contend it threatens vital ecosystems and harms Indigenous relationships and reconciliation. 8200 words, 1 hour.
Adjournment Debate - The Economy Jacob Mantle questions the inclusion of pension assets in government debt calculations. Ali Ehsassi defends the government's economic approach. Grant Jackson critiques the lack of specific initiatives to increase domestic food production, while Ehsassi asserts that the government’s comprehensive support measures and structural investments are adequately addressing affordability. 2400 words, 15 minutes.
Department of Finance—Main Estimates, 2026-27 Members debate the Department of Finance’s main estimates in a committee of the whole. The Conservative Opposition repeatedly challenges the Minister of Finance on fiscal management, including rising debt, the debt-to-GDP ratio, and infrastructure, arguing the government has failed to meet its own fiscal targets. The Minister defends the government’s record, highlighting generational investments in housing, infrastructure, and the economy, citing expert projections of Canada's strong fiscal position compared to other G7 nations. 37100 words, 4 hours.
Department of Finance—Main Estimates, 2026-27Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Conservative
Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands—Rideau Lakes, ON
Mr. Chair, It was the minister who said there would be a conflict of interest. Those were his words.
Did that screen prevent the minister from participating in discussions about Alto in cabinet?
François-Philippe Champagne Liberal Saint-Maurice—Champlain, QC
Mr. Chair, as I said, I followed all the rules required by law, and of course I complied with the screen that was put in place.
Department of Finance—Main Estimates, 2026-27Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Conservative
Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands—Rideau Lakes, ON
Mr. Chair, did the screen apply to Bill C-15?
François-Philippe Champagne Liberal Saint-Maurice—Champlain, QC
Mr. Chair, as I said, I followed all the rules under the law and I complied with the screen that was put in place.
Department of Finance—Main Estimates, 2026-27Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Conservative
Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands—Rideau Lakes, ON
Mr. Chair, it has been more than an hour that the minister has been here, and he has said an awful lot of things but has not answered our questions, and that trend continues.
Did the screen that the minister said was necessary to avoid a conflict of interest apply to clause 191 of Bill C-15?
François-Philippe Champagne Liberal Saint-Maurice—Champlain, QC
Mr. Chair, allow me once again to quote from the letter for the benefit of my colleague. He is an experienced man. I think he is even a lawyer. It comes from the Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner and it is dated April 7̓. It says that “there is no risk of conflict of interest and that a screen is not required.” In addition, I proactively put a screen in place to avoid any appearance of a conflict of interest.
Department of Finance—Main Estimates, 2026-27Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Conservative
Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands—Rideau Lakes, ON
Mr. Chair, we take all hon. members at their word in this place, and it was the hon. minister who said there would be a conflict of interest if he were involved in discussions, debates or decisions.
Clause 191 contained the High-Speed Rail Network Act. That was Alto-related legislation. Is that true?
François-Philippe Champagne Liberal Saint-Maurice—Champlain, QC
Mr. Chair, I would like to quote those words again because all manner of allegations can be made in this House, but what matters is the truth. The truth is in a message sent on April 7, 2026, by the Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner, which states, “Alto is a Crown corporation accountable to Parliament through the Minister of Transport, and as Minister of Finance, you have no decision-making authority”—
Department of Finance—Main Estimates, 2026-27Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Conservative
Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands—Rideau Lakes, ON
Mr. Chair, on February 25, 2026, the minister voted on Motion No. 44, which would have deleted clause 191 from Bill C-15. Is that correct?
François-Philippe Champagne Liberal Saint-Maurice—Champlain, QC
Mr. Chair, I will continue my quote: “...you have no decision-making authority over matters of human resources at Alto; you do not have the opportunity to further the interest of any specific Alto employee”. I was also told that there is no risk of conflict of interest and that a screen is not required.
That is what I was told by the Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner.
Department of Finance—Main Estimates, 2026-27Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Conservative
Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands—Rideau Lakes, ON
Mr. Chair, it is unbelievable that the minister will not even confirm how he voted on the bill. He will not provide the letter that he wrote in which he said there would be a conflict. We just want to provide transparency for Canadians. If he has nothing to hide, he certainly should be able to provide to members of the House of Commons the letter that he shared with Toronto Star. Why will he not share it?
François-Philippe Champagne Liberal Saint-Maurice—Champlain, QC
Mr. Chair, the letter in question was forwarded to the Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner. As I said, I have complied with all the rules under the law. I will continue to do so, as I am required to do and as my colleagues in the House are required to do. We are all subject to the same rules here in the House.
Department of Finance—Main Estimates, 2026-27Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Conservative
Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands—Rideau Lakes, ON
Mr. Chair, the minister told Canadians that he had a conflict of interest screen because he believed there would be one if he participated in debates, discussions, decisions or votes related to Alto, but the minister's department then hired an outside contractor for the budget who appears to have been connected to Alto. Did a conflict of interest screen apply to that contractor?
François-Philippe Champagne Liberal Saint-Maurice—Champlain, QC
Mr. Chair, my colleague is an experienced man. He is a very talented parliamentarian, but he is making a lot of allegations. I know that his legal training should lead him to be cautious in what he says and in the allegations he makes against his colleagues, who are all honourable members of the House, as well as their families.
Department of Finance—Main Estimates, 2026-27Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Conservative
Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands—Rideau Lakes, ON
Mr. Chair, I have made no allegation. I have only repeated what the minister has said. Regarding what we have asked, and indeed one of the minister's hon. colleagues asked me to repeat it outside the House, I am asking questions, and the questions are repeating exactly what the minister has said. Therefore, did Finance Canada hire an outside contractor to assist with the 2025 budget speech and presentation, yes or no?
François-Philippe Champagne Liberal Saint-Maurice—Champlain, QC
Mr. Chair, I want to get back to this point because I have been a member of the House for 12 years. I believe that my colleague has been a member for over 10 years as well. We all deserve respect. We all have the right to treat each other honourably. I have conducted myself in an honourable manner. I am answering his questions. I told him that I complied with all the rules under the law and that I would testify before the Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics.
I think my colleague should be careful about the allegations he makes.
Department of Finance—Main Estimates, 2026-27Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Conservative
Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands—Rideau Lakes, ON
Mr. Chair, this is a different question. The question is about a contractor who worked on the budget speech.
My understanding is that this is separate from your letter in September. It was a contract worth $12,168. I would encourage you to use your officials who are here in the chamber with you. The contract identified a vendor. The vendor's last name is Émond, and I am wondering if the minister can confirm that this contract was awarded. It is open-source. It is published online: $12,168 to help with the budget presentation and speech. Can he confirm that?
Department of Finance—Main Estimates, 2026-27Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Conservative
The Assistant Deputy Chair Conservative John Nater
I would like to remind the member to address his comments through the Chair.
The hon. minister.
François-Philippe Champagne Liberal Saint-Maurice—Champlain, QC
Mr. Chair, I do not understand the nature of the question. If my colleague already has the answer, I do not see the point of asking. As he says, if the information is in the public domain, he will have the opportunity to obtain all the information he needs. We are here to answer any questions, but when it comes to questions involving information that is in the public domain, I believe my colleague is capable of obtaining it.
Department of Finance—Main Estimates, 2026-27Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Conservative
Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands—Rideau Lakes, ON
Mr. Chair, the contractor worked for Alto and then worked on the budget presentation that included details about Alto, and money and implementation legislation for Alto. Does the minister recognize that this is a conflict of interest, and were measures taken to prevent that? Was the Ethics Commissioner informed that this contractor was also concurrently employed by Alto?
François-Philippe Champagne Liberal Saint-Maurice—Champlain, QC
Mr. Chair, like all my colleagues here, in the years I have served in the House, I have always treated my colleagues with the utmost respect. I believe that all members of the House are entitled to the same respect.
I have already stated on several occasions that I have complied with all the rules required by law. I will continue to do so, as I am required to do, and as all my colleagues in the House are required to do.
Department of Finance—Main Estimates, 2026-27Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Conservative
Dan Albas Conservative Okanagan Lake West—South Kelowna, BC
Mr. Chair, the government is already spending money on land acquisition for the Alto project while public consultations are still active. Why are taxpayers paying for the real estate before consultations are even finished and before the final route is even locked in?
Department of Finance—Main Estimates, 2026-27Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Saint-Maurice—Champlain Québec
Liberal
François-Philippe Champagne LiberalMinister of Finance and National Revenue
Mr. Chair, my colleagues will see that the Government of Canada is making generational investments in infrastructure. The country needs modern infrastructure. That is why, in budget 2025, I presented a major infrastructure plan.
Department of Finance—Main Estimates, 2026-27Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Conservative
Dan Albas Conservative Okanagan Lake West—South Kelowna, BC
Mr. Chair, I realize the minister has been here for a couple of hours, but he has not answered very many questions, if any. I am hopeful he will answer this one.
Internal documents outline a strategy for massive station area land assembly stretching up to two kilometres around a station, explicitly based on the Hong Kong “rail plus property” real estate model. Since his bill, Bill C-15, fails to include land abandonment or buyback provisions, if the route changes in an Ottawa neighbourhood like Eastway Gardens, who keeps the excess land and development profits? Is it the government, Alto or the private consortium?
François-Philippe Champagne Liberal Saint-Maurice—Champlain, QC
Mr. Chair, based on the answers I gave earlier, my colleague will understand that these questions should be directed to the Minister of Transport, who is the minister responsible for this project.