House of Commons Hansard #134 of the 45th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was elections.
This summary is computer-generated. Usually it’s accurate, but every now and then it’ll contain inaccuracies or total fabrications.
Government Business No. 11—Proceedings on Bill C-26 Members debate Bill C-26, which authorizes $1.7 billion for housing, and a programming motion to expedite its passage. Proponent Gregor Robertson (Liberal) emphasizes the urgency of addressing the housing crisis through provincial partnerships. Conservative opponents, including Dan Albas, label the bill a political fig leaf that bypasses scrutiny. Brad Vis (Conservative) argues the government’s plan lacks parliamentary accountability and fails to address the structural causes of the current housing affordability failure. 25500 words, 3 hours.
Business of the House Members debate the House of Commons sitting schedule and legislative agenda before the upcoming adjournment, with the Conservative MP questioning the government's plans and the Liberal House Leader outlining upcoming business and priorities. 600 words.
Bill C-25—Time Allocation Motion Members debate Bill C-25, as Liberal Minister Steven MacKinnon introduces a time allocation motion to limit further discussion. Conservative MPs strongly oppose the measure, arguing the government is stifling necessary parliamentary debate. The discussion subsequently broadens to encompass concerns regarding electoral riding sizes, potential democratic reforms, and the ongoing challenge of addressing foreign interference within federal elections. 4200 words, 1 hour.
Strong and Free Elections Act Third reading of Bill C-25. The bill amends the Canada Elections Act to enhance election integrity by addressing excessively long ballots, foreign interference, and digital disinformation. While many parliamentarians support these efforts to strengthen democratic processes, some Conservative and Bloc critics argue the legislation leaves significant campaign financing loopholes. Following debate, the House of Commons passed the legislation. 14500 words, 2 hours in 2 segments: 1 2.
National Framework on the Durability of Electronic Products and Essential Home Appliances Act Second reading of Bill C-267. The bill aims to establish a national framework to improve product durability. Proponents from the Liberal and Bloc parties contend this combats planned obsolescence and environmental waste. Conversely, Conservative members oppose the legislation, citing concerns regarding increased bureaucracy, rising consumer costs, and federal overreach into provincial jurisdiction, preferring to focus on targeted, less intrusive repair measures. 7500 words, 1 hour.
Combatting Hate Act Bill C-9. The bill amends the Criminal Code regarding hate propaganda and crimes. Liberals argue naming the noose and creating a stand-alone hate crime offence provide essential protections against anti-Black hate. Conservatives characterize the bill as "dangerous legislation", arguing it infringes on civil liberties and removes long-standing protections for religious speech, leading them to formally move for the bill's withdrawal. 11700 words, 1 hour.
Maninder Sidhu LiberalMinister of International Trade
Mr. Speaker, I thank the member opposite for that very important question.
The national contact point does amazing work to make sure that our supply chains are protected against forced labour. We will continue making sure that it does this diligent work.
In terms of the CORE, we will make a decision in due course.
Andrew Lawton Conservative Elgin—St. Thomas—London South, ON
Mr. Speaker, do any of the ministers over there know their files?
Telecom coverage maps rely on industry claims, but in Elgin County and across southwestern Ontario, these maps do not reflect actual service, with persistent dead zones in areas where companies claim full coverage.
What precisely is the industry minister doing to ensure that rural Canadians are getting the cell service they are paying for?
Karim Bardeesy LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Industry
Mr. Speaker, for this government, rural connectivity is very important and affordability is very important. That is why the average cellphone rate has actually gone down 43% over the last three years, while companies continue to invest in their infrastructure. We work hard with these companies and through the CRTC to make sure investments continue, including in rural Canada.
Chi Nguyen Liberal Spadina—Harbourfront, ON
Mr. Speaker, the eyes of the world are on Canada today as the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off. This tournament is a once-in-a-generation opportunity. My downtown Toronto riding of Spadina—Harbourfront is set to host matches, the Canadian FIFA World Cup opening celebration and the FIFA fan festival at the Bentway. Toronto is proud to welcome the world.
Can the Secretary of State for Sport tell us what this historic moment means for Canadians?
Adam van Koeverden LiberalSecretary of State (Sport)
Mr. Speaker, what an extraordinary moment we are at in sport in Canada. We are so proud and excited to be co-hosting the 2026 FIFA Men's World Cup with Mexico and the United States.
Tomorrow, Canada will play its first-ever FIFA Men's World Cup match in Toronto against Bosnia and Herzegovina. It will inspire countless young Canadians. It will bring $1 billion to our national revenue. It will be watched by five billion viewers around the world.
Sport is one of Canada's greatest nation-building projects, and we are so proud to be hosting the world's biggest event this year. Go, Canada, go!
Tamara Jansen Conservative Cloverdale—Langley City, BC
Mr. Speaker, the Liberals want to make it easier to hide information from Canadians by no longer allowing government emails or text messages to be part of an information request. Even the independent Information Commissioner is opposed.
Will the President of the Treasury Board reverse this proposal and defend Canadians' right to know?
Access to InformationOral Questions
François-Philippe Champagne LiberalMinister of Finance and National Revenue
Mr. Speaker, I have never seen so much excitement from the Conservatives for an answer. We can see that summer is coming. They are awakening now.
The question is very serious, and I can assure members of the House and all Canadians watching that we have some of the strongest laws when it comes to government information and disclosure. We believe in an open government. We believe in providing information to Canadians. Canadians can be assured that we have some of the strongest laws in the G7.
Michael Chong Conservative Wellington—Halton Hills North, ON
Mr. Speaker, perhaps somebody on that side over there can answer this question. For weeks, the Prime Minister and government ministers have insisted that strong measures are already in place to combat the importation of products using forced labour into Canada. If that is the case, why did the government give the House notice that it is going to introduce a bill entitled “An Act respecting the prohibition of the importation of goods produced by forced labour”?
Mona Fortier LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs
Mr. Speaker, Canada has some of the most rigorous forced labour laws in the world, and we have been clear that we condemn forced labour everywhere it exists. Every good that enters the country is subject to rigorous import controls and screening. For example, Canada's new government is—
International TradeOral Questions
The Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia
Let us be a little quieter.
The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs can continue.
Mona Fortier Liberal Ottawa—Vanier—Gloucester, ON
Mr. Speaker, as I was saying, Canada's new government is hiring 1,000 new CBSA officers and investing over $670 million in the CBSA to keep our borders secure.
We will continue to protect Canada's interests while upholding labour standards for all workers.
Arnold Viersen Conservative Peace River—Westlock, AB
Mr. Speaker, one of those really great laws is Bill S-211, which requires companies selling or distributing goods in Canada to produce an annual report. The Liberals, contrary to the law, revised their directive and exempted a bunch of their corporate buddies from having to file the report. Now the U.S. is investigating Canada for not fighting forced labour and is threatening us in the CUSMA talks.
Why is the government putting the CUSMA talks in jeopardy so that it can pad the pockets of its corporate buddies instead of fighting slavery?
Mona Fortier LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs
Mr. Speaker, let me be clear. Canada and the United States share the goal of keeping goods produced through forced labour out of our supply chains. Canada, right now, already has strong protections in place. We will take further action to strengthen them through new legislation. We will continue working closely with our partners to uphold high labour standards and ensure fair, rules-based trade.
Emma Harrison Liberal Peterborough, ON
Mr. Speaker, many Canadians are facing a housing affordability crisis, with too many people unable to find a home they can afford. Our government was elected with a clear mandate to build more homes and increase housing supply.
Yesterday, the House passed Bill C-20, transforming Build Canada Homes into a Crown corporation focused on accelerating affordable housing construction. Will the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure explain how this legislation will help make housing more affordable and accessible for Canadians?
Gregor Robertson LiberalMinister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada
Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for Peterborough for her great work in the community.
Yesterday was a great day for affordable housing. Despite the opposition of members opposite, who are against affordable housing, the government passed the Build Canada Homes act here in the House. This brings us one step closer to getting affordable housing built.
Build Canada Homes will become a Crown corporation with the support of the Senate. We are looking forward to working with our senators to secure the bill's final passage and get Build Canada Homes up and running and delivering affordable—
Melissa Lantsman Conservative Thornhill, ON
Mr. Speaker, for the last 45 minutes, Canadians watching at home have known that this is not answer period. The Liberals do not have a single answer, and the ministers are out of their depth. Some are reading off their cellphones, and the President of the Treasury Board is still flipping through his binder, looking for an answer to the question.
This is serious. Canadians at home are going hungry. Seniors are living on the side of the highway because they cannot afford a home. When will the government reverse its disastrous policies that got us here in the first place?
Patty Hajdu LiberalMinister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario
Mr. Speaker, if the member calls feeding hungry kids a disastrous policy, I would like to introduce the member to some parents and some kids in my riding in the town of Marathon.
The EconomyOral Questions
The Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia
It is too loud.
Now that it is a bit quieter, the minister may continue.
Patty Hajdu Liberal Thunder Bay—Superior North, ON
Mr. Speaker, if the member would like to talk about people who are fighting against Canadians and talk about disastrous policies, a disastrous policy would be pulling out the safety nets that this government has worked hard to put there for Canadians.
When Canadians are struggling, do members know what they do not wonder in bed? They do not wonder what they can take away from their friends and neighbours. Instead, they ask, “How do we stand up for each other? How do we help people? How do we make sure—”
The EconomyOral Questions