Debates of June 16th, 2026

Agriculture and Agri-Food

[Heath MacDonald, Liberal, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food]

Mr. Speaker, we are caught in a geopolitical situation around the world. We are certainly keeping an eye on the situation. Hopefully, the peace talks are going forward for the Strait of Hormuz.

We understand that there has been a real issue relevant to fertilizer. We are monitoring the situation closely. I met with my G7 partners last week. We had a good discussion. The whole topic was on fertilizer in this country and around the world. We will consider every opportunity to make sure that we stand behind our farmers.

[Kent MacDonald, Liberal, Cardigan, PE]

Mr. Speaker, Canadians understand that food security is national security. In fact, a Nanos Research survey released this month for Dairy Farmers of Canada found that 94% of Canadians believe it is important that Canada maintain as much control as possible over its food supply. The survey also found significant support for Canadian farmers and the supply management system, which helps ensure a stable and reliable food supply. As a farmer myself, I know the importance of growing, producing and processing more of our food here at home.

Last week our Prime Minister unveiled Canada's national food strategy. Could the Minister of Agriculture—

[The Speaker, Francis Scarpaleggia]

The hon. Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food.

[Heath MacDonald, Liberal, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food]

Mr. Speaker, last week was an exciting time for processors, farmers and the Canadian public. This approach is about finding solutions at home that will improve access and affordability, with a $3.2-billion investment, the largest investment in AAFC's history. It means addressing the underlying challenges for food affordability, the way food is being sold, transported and distributed. That will support farmers, consumers and small independent grocers. A more Canadian food system means one that is more reliable and supports local food, lower costs and stronger communities. More choice means more control and more Canada.

The Environment

[Pierre Paul-Hus, Conservative, Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC]

Mr. Speaker, Lac Saint-Charles provides drinking water to nearly 300,000 residents of the Quebec City region. Between 2019 and 2021, I proposed a $200-million federal investment to protect this resource, and that proposal was supported by the former minister, the current member for Québec Centre. Seven years on, nothing has been done.

Can the Secretary of State for Nature explain why the Liberals have scrapped this crucial investment in protecting Lac Saint-Charles and Quebec City's drinking water?

[Joël Lightbound, Liberal, Minister of Government Transformation]

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague. It is a pleasure to work with him on a number of issues in the Quebec City region. I would be happy to discuss this particular issue with him at a later date.

One thing I would like to point out is that there are some issues on which we would like to be able to work with our colleagues from the Quebec City region. The tramway comes to mind, for example. I am pleased to see that he recently got on board with the $2.75-billion funding for the tramway project in Quebec City. This project is going to be crucial and it will create good jobs for our constituents. As for everything else, I look forward to working with my colleague.

Firearms

[Bob Zimmer, Conservative, Prince George—Peace River—Northern Rockies, BC]

Mr. Speaker, as we can hear from my Quebec colleagues, obviously that was not a good answer to the member's question.

Liberal government documents confirm that nearly 18% of the firearms being confiscated by the Liberal gun grab are .22-calibre rifles, often used to hunt gophers or to shoot pop cans.

Why are Liberals wasting hundreds of millions of dollars on .22s, or “plinkers”, instead of millions of dollars on police officers to lock up violent criminals?

[Gary Anandasangaree, Liberal, Minister of Public Safety]

Mr. Speaker, the misinformation, sadly, continues on firearms. As members are aware, over 140,000 firearms have been declared by individual Canadians as well as businesses. We are in the process of collecting those firearms. What I will—

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[The Speaker, Francis Scarpaleggia]

Now that it is quieter, the hon. Minister of Public Safety may continue.

[Gary Anandasangaree, Liberal, Scarborough—Guildwood—Rouge Park, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the misinformation on firearms continues. Over 140,000 individual firearms have been declared by owners, as well as businesses. We are in the process of collecting them.

We have invested in law enforcement. We are hiring 1,000 new RCMP personnel and 1,000 new CBSA officers.

Infrastructure

[Grant Jackson, Conservative, Brandon—Souris, MB]

Mr. Speaker, I do not think we will be trusting the minister's word on what a .22 is, given that he did not know what an RPAL is either.

Manitoba's premier, Wab Kinew, recently said that the Prime Minister is requiring LNG to be shipped through the port of Churchill by 2030 as a requirement for federal support of the port of Churchill plus expansion project. Is that true, yes or no?

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

Mr. Speaker, we intend to continue working with the Premier of Manitoba, with whom we have an extremely productive relationship.

Indeed, the port of Churchill holds much promise. We will be studying all the options and will be working very hard to complete that and many other nation-building projects in western Canada and right across this country.

Canadian Identity and Culture

[Michael Chong, Conservative, Wellington—Halton Hills North, ON]

Mr. Speaker, reports indicate that the Palestinian representative in Canada met with the Canadian Museum for Human Rights during the development of its upcoming Nakba exhibit. This should be a Canadian museum for Canadian human rights stories, not foreign agendas.

The museum is a Crown corporation reporting to the heritage minister. Is the minister aware of these meetings? Does he consider these meetings appropriate, and will he delay the exhibit's opening, pending a full investigation?

[Marc Miller, Liberal, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages]

Mr. Speaker, suffice it to say that I am aware of these allegations, but I think the member would join me in saying that it is not the place of the minister or any member of the House to dictate museum policy and what is curated and what is not.

Post-Secondary Education

[David Bexte, Conservative, Bow River, AB]

Mr. Speaker, talk about avoiding the answer.

Veterinarians and animal health technicians play a critical role in —

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[The Speaker, Francis Scarpaleggia]

This time it is the hon member of the opposition who can start from the top.

[David Bexte, Conservative, Bow River, AB]

Mr. Speaker, the minister avoided the answer.

Veterinarians and animal health technicians play a critical role in the Canadian agriculture system, and they are in short supply.

Neither vets nor animal health techs are covered under the Canada student loan forgiveness program, unlike other professionals. Can the minister explain why these vital professions are not being treated the same?

[Patty Hajdu, Liberal, Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario]

Mr. Speaker, I am thrilled that in my riding, Lakehead University is opening a new vet school in partnership with Guelph. It is very exciting news for the many people in my riding who are waiting to access veterinarian care.

We will continue to work with provinces and territories on making sure that education is affordable. One way the member can help is to stop voting against Canada student loans and grants, which are 40% higher in the current government.

Indigenous Affairs

[Billy Morin, Conservative, Edmonton Northwest, AB]

Mr. Speaker, the AFN exposed that the last decade of Liberal housing strategy has left first nations 157,000 homes short.

Given that Build Canada Homes plans to build only 5,000 homes annually, by what year will the Liberals build 157,000 homes needed for first nations? I would like to know just the year.

[Mandy Gull-Masty, Liberal, Minister of Indigenous Services]

Mr. Speaker, I am really proud to be here and do the work, and I invite my colleague to work with us in advancing the things we are determining: $5.9 billion to support on-reserve housing, ensuring that over 55% of first nations have housing plans, ensuring that communities have housing managers and ensuring that they are accessing the training and certification to build those homes, because we are not only building homes, but we are equipping first nations with the resources they need to do the job. Only this government has done that. We can look at the track record of the opposition. I think it is 99 homes, maybe fewer.

Veterans Affairs

[Connie Cody, Conservative, Cambridge, ON]

Mr. Speaker, that answer was so empty it echoed.

Five members of the Women Veterans Council have resigned, citing red tape and zero action. Among them are survivors of military sexual trauma, women who stood for Canada and now feel dismissed.

Why has the minister broken her promises, refused to act and completely abandoned these female veterans?

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

Mr. Speaker, I thank all members of the Women Veterans Council for their service to our country and for the advice and insight they offer as a council. Their lived experiences have shaped important conversations, and I remain grateful to the ongoing conversations. It is a voluntary advisory group, and I respect the decision of any member who chooses to move on to other opportunities. I welcome all advocacy on issues affecting veterans.

Housing

[Scott Aitchison, Conservative, Parry Sound—Muskoka, ON]

Mr. Speaker, home builders and homebuyers in Ontario are still waiting for the federal government to finalize the regulations to permit them to rebate the HST on all new homes. This is creating more confusion and uncertainty in the market, and it is leaving both buyers and builders in limbo.

My question is very simple: On what date will the Liberal government finally live up to its promise? I want no rambling, just a date.