Debates of May 4th, 2026

Indigenous Affairs

[Rebecca Alty, Liberal, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations]

Mr. Speaker, preserving the certainty and stability of private property is of utmost importance. That is why we will advance all viable legal arguments to protect private property.

We disagree with the B.C. Supreme Court's ruling. That is why we appealed it back in September. We are fully committed to ensuring stability, certainty and confidence for Canadians who own property while advancing reconciliation. We will continue to pursue this matter where it belongs, in the courts, not on the floor of the House of Commons.

Northern Affairs

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

Mr. Speaker, on November 21, 1919, the iconic Golden Boy was hoisted atop the Manitoba Legislative Building, and it points north to signal the prosperity of the region.

Can the Minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs update the House on the ways in which the federal government is allowing the region to realize that potential?

[Rebecca Chartrand, Liberal, Minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs and Minister responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency]

Mr. Speaker, the Port of Churchill plus project is a transformative opportunity to connect Manitoba and western Canadian exports to the world. While early stages mean more work is ahead, the federal government has invested $320 million since 2017, and we are looking to invest another $150 million, as the member knows, to the Port of Churchill and the Hudson Bay Railway.

This is to grow northern trade. It will also invest in lowering costs for farmers, stabilizing supply chains and supporting good jobs. This is how we are making Manitoba a global Arctic gateway once again.

Indigenous Affairs

[Tamara Kronis, Conservative, Nanaimo—Ladysmith, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the Liberals have painted themselves into a corner. They failed to negotiate a treaty with Cowichan Tribes, so they got sued and lost in Richmond. Now the Prime Minister says he will advance “viable legal arguments to protect private property”, but the Liberals told their lawyers not to argue the primacy of property rights at trial. By now, it must have dawned on them that an argument not advanced at trial is not viable on appeal, because the minister just told us he is asking private property owners to do their work for them.

The Liberals talk about negotiation, but the failure to negotiate is how we got here in the first place, so what are they going to do?

[Jill McKnight, Liberal, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence]

Mr. Speaker, let us be clear. The Conservatives are creating uncertainty and fear. They are intentionally scaring Canadians, creating uncertainty for investors and demonizing government. Our government has appealed, and we will continue to defend private property rights in Canada. I remind the Conservatives—

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[The Speaker, Francis Scarpaleggia]

It is getting a little too noisy. Let us take a short break and then allow the minister to continue. This is a very important issue.

The hon. Minister of Veterans Affairs.

[Jill McKnight, Liberal, Delta, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I would remind the Conservatives that real leadership means actually working to address problems, not fearmongering for political gain. Real leadership is respecting the Constitution, respecting the courts and respecting the work of advancing reconciliation.

The Economy

[Alexandre Boulerice, Independent, Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, despite the government's promises, people are struggling to make ends meet, especially in Montreal. According to the Institut de recherche et d'informations socioéconomiques, Montreal is the most expensive city in Quebec. A family of two adults and two children in Montreal would need to be bringing in $88,800 after taxes to have a livable income. A livable income is enough to meet basic needs with a little bit extra for a rainy day. That is all, but thousands of people do not have that.

Rather than helping their billionaire friends, when will the Liberals take action so that everyone can live with dignity?

[Steven MacKinnon, Liberal, Minister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, let us think about the dental care program, pharmacare, the school food program, the increase to old age security and the Canada child benefit. Canada is always there to help the less fortunate, those who need a hand to make ends meet. It will always be there.

The real question is this: When will we get the support of all members of this House? The Conservatives are always voting against these measures.

[Dan Albas, Conservative, Okanagan Lake West—South Kelowna, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the minister of employment, in response to the member for Calgary East, was clearly reading off notes that had a member's picture on both sides, clearly making it a prop and making it very easy to be seen on the screen.

This is something that I think you need to take a look at, Mr. Speaker. It is obviously a planned practice by the government, by that minister, to again present, as she made her comments, an example that had a clear photo on it. That is a prop. It does not follow the traditions of this place.

[The Speaker, Francis Scarpaleggia]

I just saw the minister reading from notes. I do not know what was on the back of them, to be honest.

We will have a look at the video. We will get back to the House, if need be.

[Chris Warkentin, Conservative, Grande Prairie, AB]

Mr. Speaker, I would ask that the minister now table those documents in the House.

When we look at the video screen, what we see is a Conservative member of Parliament's head shot, including personal information details about that individual, not only their contact information but what appears to be personal information about the member.

I believe that the minister has a collection of these with different members of Parliament's personal information that is now being broadcast on television. I would ask that she now table her question period binder.

[Patty Hajdu, Liberal, Thunder Bay—Superior North, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I am happy to share with the members opposite the number of projects in their ridings, the number of people who have received early learning and child care, the number of people who have received dental care, and the number of people who are getting fed in schools. That is the information on these sheets, by province and by MP.

I will stand up for our records any day.

[Chris Warkentin, Conservative, Grande Prairie, AB]

Mr. Speaker, I believe the minister has just agreed to table those documents here in the House. I believe that is what the minister said.

She is standing. She has the documents there. They have the personal information of many members of Parliament on this side of the House. This is a breach, I believe, of the privacy of those members. She is now leaving the chamber with that document in her hands.

I would ask, Mr. Speaker, that you collect those documents—

[The Speaker, Francis Scarpaleggia]

I will look at the tape and see what I can see.

[Luc Berthold, Conservative, Mégantic—L’Érable—Lotbinière, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I am rising on a point of order. During question period, the government avoided answering a legitimate question from the member for Simcoe North.

[The Speaker, Francis Scarpaleggia]

That is a point of debate. I cannot force anyone to answer anything.

The hon. member for Mégantic—L'Érable—Lotbinière.

[Luc Berthold, Conservative, Mégantic—L’Érable—Lotbinière, QC]

Mr. Speaker, according to the customs and practices of the House, ministers are required to answer questions asked by opposition members. It seems that no minister chose to answer a clear question that—

[The Speaker, Francis Scarpaleggia]

That is true when the question is in order, but I found that it was not admissible in the way that it was worded.

The House resumed from April 30 consideration of the motion.

Opposition Motion—Sovereign Wealth Fund

[The Speaker, Francis Scarpaleggia]

It being 3:13 p.m., the House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded division on the motion of the member for Battle River—Crowfoot relating to the business of supply.

Call in the members.

And the bells having rung:

The question is as follows. Shall I dispense?

[Some hon. members]

No.

[The Speaker, Francis Scarpaleggia]

[Chair read text of motion to House]

(The House divided on the motion, which was negatived on the following division:)

Vote #109