Debates of June 12th, 2026

Climate Change

[Wade Grant, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change]

Mr. Speaker, we cannot build a clean Canada if we are not working together. We are thinking differently and strategically to deliver results for Canadians. We have introduced new methane regulations. We have brought Alberta to the table. We have actually brought Canada's largest-emitting province to the table. We will soon also be launching our clean electricity strategy to double our grid in the next number of years. It is something we have promised Canadians. We are going to give this to Canadians today, tomorrow and for future generations, and that is why I am proud to stand on this side of the aisle.

[Christine Normandin, Bloc, Saint-Jean, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister is not listening to the science when it comes to the environment, just as he does not listen to his former environment ministers, his net-zero advisory body, whose members have resigned, or even his own members, according to media reports. He does not listen to anyone except the interests of American oil and gas company owners. He is keeping all the power in his own hands to build pipelines that line the pockets of Americans.

If this is the strong Canada that the Liberals want to build, then do they realize that we are going to pass on that?

[Wade Grant, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change]

Mr. Speaker, on top of what I just said, we have also released the nature strategy. We are going to be protecting 30% of Canada's lands and waters by 2030. In fact, about two weeks ago, I went to Klemtu on the coast of British Columbia, where I was standing with the Minister of the Environment and Climate Change. We announced with seven first nations in the province of British Columbia a plan to protect over 6,700 square kilometres of coast. That is equivalent to 1.5 times the size of Banff National Park and larger than Prince Edward Island.

The Economy

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

Mr. Speaker, we all know the Liberals' economic plan. It involves $141 billion in new spending, a $67-billion deficit in just one year and a budget that repeats the word “investment” 786 times but spends like there is no tomorrow.

Canada is the only G20 country in a recession because of those decisions. Recently, 6,000 Canadians wrote to me, and their key message was clear: The cost of living is crushing them.

After 11 years of Liberal decisions that have held back Canada's development and that tax Canadians, their decisions have led us to a recession and a position of weakness.

When will the Liberals admit that they need to urgently change course?

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

Mr. Speaker, that is exactly what we have been doing for the past year: changing course.

We recognize that we are in a very complicated situation because of the tariff war and the global economic situation. That is why we have introduced policies to help diversify our economy.

Now, I also want to tell my colleague that, over the weekend, perhaps he could consult the C.D. Howe Institute's Business Cycle Council to get a real definition of what is going on right now.

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

Mr. Speaker, it is easy to point the finger at others, but when we see a prime minister spending $159,000 on inflight meals for a single trip, we understand why his decisions have led us straight into a recession.

While Quebeckers are counting every penny at the grocery store, the Liberals are spending taxpayers' money as if it were Monopoly money.

When will the government show some respect for taxpayers' money and start making decisions that ease their financial burden rather than always raising taxes to fund the Liberal pharaoh's ideological projects?

[Ryan Turnbull, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance and National Revenue and to the Secretary of State (Canada Revenue Agency and Financial Institutions)]

Mr. Speaker, the member opposite should recognize that the expertise of the International Monetary Fund and the OECD is well recognized across the globe. They say that Canada's economy has the strongest fiscal position in the G7. It is expected to have the second-highest growth. That is good news for our country. I know it sounds like bad news to Conservatives, but it is good news for Canada. We have the fiscal capacity and we are using it to invest in the growth of our economy to make sure we have prosperity for future generations. That is good-paying jobs for Canadians for generations—

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker, John Nater]

The hon. member for Louis‑Saint‑Laurent—Akiawenhrahk has the floor.

[Gérard Deltell, Conservative, Louis-Saint-Laurent—Akiawenhrahk, QC]

Mr. Speaker, it has been a year since the Prime Minister took office. Over that year, the situation in Canada has deteriorated.

Just imagine: Under his leadership as a well-known international banker, the result is that Canada, under this Prime Minister, is the only G20 country in recession. Inflationary spending, red tape and anti-development policies have created this recession and, above all, have led to a cost-of-living crisis.

When will we see concrete results for Canadians?

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

Mr. Speaker, once again, I suggest that our colleagues in the Conservative Party consult the C.D. Howe Institute's Business Cycle Council over the weekend to gain a proper understanding of what is currently happening in the Canadian economy.

Beyond that, I would also like to mention to the House that short-term and long-term interest rates in Canada are stable. What does that mean?

It indicates that the financial markets have full confidence in the Canadian economy and full confidence in how the Government of Canada is managing the Canadian economy.

[Gérard Deltell, Conservative, Louis-Saint-Laurent—Akiawenhrahk, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I hope that the member and parliamentary secretary is going to spend the weekend carefully looking over Statistics Canada data, which state that over the past four quarters under the new Prime Minister's leadership, the results have been negative three times. That is the reality.

The reality is also that Canada has the worst inflation in the G7. The reality is also that 2.2 million Canadians have to use food banks to eat. That is the reality.

The Prime Minister was elected on the promise that he would be judged on the prices at the grocery store. Does he think of those prices when he invoices $1 million to eat on his airplane?

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

Mr. Speaker, there is a whole jumble of things in there. Anyway, let us focus on what I think is the main thing: the statistics.

Let us look at the statistics. What the statistics also say is that Canada's economy created 88,000 jobs in May, including 150,000 full-time jobs. Most of these new jobs were in construction. I am assuming that if people are being hired to work in construction, the purpose is to build something. There are indeed 27,000 new jobs in construction. That is where we are headed.

[Jason Groleau, Conservative, Beauce, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the Liberals' out-of-control spending has plunged Canada into a recession. While Canadians are working hard just to put food on the table, the Prime Minister is treating himself on the taxpayers' dime. He spent $1 million on meals for just 14 flights. Here is a sample of what the Prime Minister enjoys: Normandy butter cups that cost $593. Unbelievable. He also enjoys crème brûlée that cost $4,213, chocolate mousse that cost $3,008 and $17,000 worth of salmon in just three flights. That must have been some very fresh salmon.

Can the Prime Minister show a little respect for our taxpayers?

[Sophie Chatel, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food]

Mr. Speaker, I had the opportunity to travel all over Quebec last summer and to meet with farmers in my colleague's region. I can say one thing. Farmers are very happy with the national food security strategy. One way to make food more affordable for Canadian families is to do more processing here in Canada. We are investing $3.2 billion in the food supply chain in Quebec and across Canada.

Public Safety

[Judy Sgro, Liberal, Humber River—Black Creek, ON]

Mr. Speaker, Canada's hearts are broken at the loss of two of our frontline police officers, two brave individuals who gave their lives protecting our communities. Our frontline officers put themselves in harm's way every single day to keep us all safe, and this tragedy is being deeply felt across the entire policing community and by all Canadians.

Can the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Safety speak to the courage and sacrifice of these two officers?

[Jacques Ramsay, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Safety]

Mr. Speaker, I was heartbroken to learn about Toronto Police Constable Marc Pinizzotto, who was killed in the line of duty yesterday. My heart is with his family and loved ones. With an 18-year stellar record, Marc was known as someone who was courageous and respected, and a man who put others before himself. His death comes only days after OPP Constable Tarun Bali was also killed in the line of duty. Mr. Bali was known as someone who just wanted to help others.

To all our frontline officers, we thank for them work they do each and every day to keep all Canadians safe. We appreciate their service.

Health

[Helena Konanz, Conservative, Similkameen—South Okanagan—West Kootenay, BC]

Mr. Speaker, 300 million tax dollars were wasted on PrescribeIT. Liberal members of the health committee have refused every request to answer why or how. The Minister of Health and the CEO must testify. Canadians want to know how their tax dollars were wasted on this boondoggle.

Will the Liberal minister agree it is time to stop the secrets, keep the cameras on and investigate PrescribeIT in public?

[Maggie Chi, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health]

Mr. Speaker, as the member knows, the minister has answered this question many times in question period and many times during committee work. We have been very open and transparent. Infoway has dismissed the CEO. We supported that decision. We are also reviewing the Infoway mandate to make sure it aligns with opening up health data for Canadians. The funding decision will be made after the review.

[Helena Konanz, Conservative, Similkameen—South Okanagan—West Kootenay, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I would take that member more seriously if she did not keep turning the cameras off and voting to seal committee records for 30 years when we call for an audit. Conservatives have been clear that we will work through the summer to get a full accounting on $300 million wasted on PrescribeIT, but they must leave the cameras on.

Canadians want to know: Will they hear about PrescribeIT on Tuesday or will the Liberal parliamentary secretary turn the cameras off again?

[Maggie Chi, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health]

Mr. Speaker, as the Conservatives farm outrage, we are working hard on behalf of Canadians.

I am glad that member brought it up. That party has spent over 20 hours obstructing a Liberal motion to study HIV in Manitoba. How can they claim they care about Canadians' health when they block motions like that? I think Canadians can see the difference.

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker, John Nater]

Order.

The hon. member for Red Deer.

[Burton Bailey, Conservative, Red Deer, AB]

Mr. Speaker, the $300 million Liberal cover-up continues.

Liberals at the health committee continue blocking the investigation into PrescribeIT and hoping Canadians forget about the scandal that is turning into a possible contempt of Parliament. Even the Liberals were frustrated when they did not get answers from disgraced former CEO Michael Green, but then the Prime Minister yelled, “Be quiet,” and the cover-up began.

When will the Liberals at the health committee find their spine and finally end the cover-up?

[Maggie Chi, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health]

Mr. Speaker, Canadians can see how the Conservatives are behaving in the House and in committee with them filibustering important motions, like studying the HIV public health crisis in Manitoba. We can see the difference, and I think Canadians can, too.

International Trade

[Jacob Mantle, Conservative, York—Durham, ON]

Mr. Speaker, so far in 2026, the U.S. Customs authority has blocked 1,198 shipments worth about $75 million on concerns with forced labour. I know this because the U.S. authorities make their data publicly available. I checked it this morning.

In contrast, the Liberal government does not. When I asked for this information at the Standing Committee on International Trade, I received a written response that said the government is “unable to provide the requested information”.

If the U.S. authorities can make their data publicly available to see, why can the Liberal government not?