House of Commons Hansard #131 of the 45th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was recession.

Topics

line drawing of robot

This summary is computer-generated. Usually it’s accurate, but every now and then it’ll contain inaccuracies or total fabrications.

The Criminal Code Third reading of Bill S-228. The bill amends the Criminal Code to explicitly define forced or coerced sterilization as aggravated assault. During the debate, members from all parties treated this as a non-partisan issue centered on preserving bodily autonomy and free and informed consent. Acknowledging the traumatic experiences of survivors like Katy Bear, the House ultimately ensured the legislation was carried unanimously. 7000 words, 1 hour.

Opposition Motion—The Government's Fiscal Policies Members debate a Conservative motion characterizing Canada's economy as being in a recession and demanding a reversal of government policies. Conservatives argue that failed government strategies have stifled investment and increased costs for households. Liberals counter by emphasizing positive labour market data and affordability supports, accusing the opposition of unwarranted pessimism. The Bloc Québécois criticizes both parties, focusing on concerns regarding productivity and the government's management of major infrastructure projects and fiscal accountability. 35800 words, 4 hours in 2 segments: 1 2.

Statements by Members

Question Period

The Conservatives argue Canada is the only G20 nation in a recession, citing declining productivity and higher-than-forecast deficits. They accuse the government of obstructing a committee probe into the $300-million PrescribeIT scandal and criticize lax border policies for allowing international criminal tourism rings to target Canadian communities.
The Liberals highlight the creation of 88,000 new jobs and rising wages as signs of a resilient economy. They promote the groceries and essentials benefit and declining rents to address affordability. They also emphasize investments in Canadian culture, skilled trades, and community infrastructure while addressing organized crime and health care modernization.
The Bloc accuses the government of abandoning Quebec culture by capitulating to digital giants and threatening cultural diversity. They also oppose re-authorizing banned pesticides in Bill C-30, claiming the minister prioritizes agrochemical company profits.
The NDP emphasizes meaningful consultation with the Nisga'a Nation concerning bitumen pipelines and the oil tanker ban.

Interparliamentary Delegations Members Ginette Petitpas Taylor, James Maloney, and Terry Sheehan present various reports to the House regarding the activities, bilateral missions, and inter-parliamentary delegation meetings of the Canada-France, Canada-Europe, Canada-China, and Canada-Japan associations. 500 words.

Somali Heritage Month Act First reading of Bill C-283. The bill proposes officially designating July of each year as Somali Heritage Month in Canada to celebrate the cultural contributions and history of Somali Canadians within the nation. 200 words.

Canada Labour Code First reading of Bill C-284. The bill proposes amending the Canada Labour Code to prohibit employers from using outside managers as replacement workers during strikes and lockouts, aiming to strengthen protections for collective bargaining and unionized workers’ rights. 200 words.

Wartime Service Recognition Act First reading of Bill S-246. The bill creates a national framework for formally recognizing Canadian Armed Forces military service as wartime service, establishing criteria and timelines for designation from the Korean War onward and for future conflicts. 100 words.

Petitions

Concurrence in Vote 5—Department of National Defence Members debate the 2026-27 main estimates, focusing on government spending priorities and requests for departmental funding. Conservatives criticize the government’s $200-million lease for a spaceport in Nova Scotia, alleging a lack of transparency and favoritism toward Liberal insiders. Liberals defend the spending as a strategic investment to achieve space sovereignty, modernize the Canadian Armed Forces, and support economic growth, while the NDP raises concerns regarding the need for better protection against fraud within the financial sector. 27800 words, 4 hours.

Main Estimates, 2026-27 First reading of Bill C-32. The bill, a supply act appropriating money for federal public administration for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2027, is introduced, debated in committee of the whole, and passed by the House of Commons. .

Supplementary Estimates (A), 2026‑27 First reading of Bill C-33. The bill authorizes funding for the federal public administration for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2027, completing its legislative passage through the House of Commons after committee review and a final vote. 200 words.

Adjournment Debate - Health Dan Mazier and Matt Strauss demand accountability regarding $300 million in spent funds on the PrescribeIT program and question the independence of Canada Health Infoway. Maggie Chi dismisses these concerns as political obstruction, accusing Conservatives of neglecting a public health emergency involving HIV in Manitoba. 1300 words, 10 minutes.

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HealthOral Questions

2:55 p.m.

Papineau Québec

Liberal

Marjorie Michel LiberalMinister of Health

Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for his question. The first thing I have to say is that, in the Canadian government, we are careful with every dollar we spend. That is why, when we realized that Canada Health Infoway was not completely fulfilling its mission, we decided to halt funding. That is the first thing.

However, it is also important to know that the Canadian health care system needs to be modernized, and Canada Health Infoway, despite its governance issues, did a good job. The AI scribe program has really had a lot of—

HealthOral Questions

2:55 p.m.

The Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia

The hon. member for Red Deer.

HealthOral Questions

2:55 p.m.

Conservative

Burton Bailey Conservative Red Deer, AB

Mr. Speaker, it is week eight of the Liberals' obstruction at the health committee. They are desperately covering up the $300-million PrescribeIT scandal and the hundreds of millions wasted on a failed program that made Liberal insiders rich and did not fill prescriptions.

Angry Canadians are calling out the Liberals and asking them to stop the obstruction, but apparently they are more afraid of getting yelled at by the Prime Minister again. The Liberals must end this two-month cover-up so that the Conservatives can get the answers Canadians deserve.

What are the Liberals hiding?

HealthOral Questions

2:55 p.m.

Gatineau Québec

Liberal

Steven MacKinnon LiberalMinister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons

Mr. Speaker, these questions, written by the—

HealthOral Questions

June 8th, 2026 / 2:55 p.m.

Some hon. members

Oh, oh!

HealthOral Questions

2:55 p.m.

The Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia

There is too much noise. I cannot hear.

The hon. government House leader can start from the beginning.

HealthOral Questions

2:55 p.m.

Liberal

Steven MacKinnon Liberal Gatineau, QC

Mr. Speaker, these questions, written by the Leader of the Opposition, are not really convincing anyone.

What is convincing people is this attitude coming from the Conservative benches that what is a headwind and a challenge for Canada ought to be blamed on Canada. The “blame Canada brigade”, as people are calling them, skips in here at any hint of bad news for the Canadian economy, but when we remind them about 88,000 new jobs, they go into hiding.

Hooray for Canada.

The EconomyOral Questions

3 p.m.

Liberal

Linda Lapointe Liberal Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, QC

Mr. Speaker, our government's goal is to build a stronger and more resilient Canadian economy to protect our jobs and industries. As this plan is rolled out, we are also providing support and assistance to make life more affordable.

Can the Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement provide the House with information on the new Canada groceries and essentials benefit and how it will help Canadian families?

The EconomyOral Questions

3 p.m.

Louis-Hébert Québec

Liberal

Joël Lightbound LiberalMinister of Government Transformation

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague for her question. Finally, someone asked me a good question. My colleague is right to highlight this initiative.

Last Friday, June 5, 12 million Canadians received the new Canada groceries and essentials benefit, including three million Quebeckers. For a family of four, this can amount to up to $1,890 a year to help cover the cost of groceries.

That was not the only good news last Friday. Canada has created 88,000 jobs and, for the 38th consecutive month, wages are rising faster than inflation.

Our plan to build a strong Canada and a prosperous economy for everyone is working.

Public SafetyOral Questions

3 p.m.

Conservative

Michelle Rempel Conservative Calgary Nose Hill, AB

Mr. Speaker, Durham police just exposed a major criminal tourism ring, laying 1,500 charges against dozens of non-citizen criminals, primarily from Romania and India. Today, there are even more reports about the Bishnoi Gang, a violent extortion racket that has been recruiting Indian foreign nationals whom the Liberals let into Canada on foreign student visas.

The Liberals' lax border policies and catch-and-release bail policies have turned Canada into a playground for international criminals. Which minister will finally be fired for this disgusting failure?

Public SafetyOral Questions

3 p.m.

Brampton North—Caledon Ontario

Liberal

Ruby Sahota LiberalSecretary of State (Combatting Crime)

Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate the Durham police, Peel police and many police forces around this country that are working very hard, day in and day out, to crack down on organized crime. They have laid many arrests and many charges, and the criminal justice system will be dealing with these criminals.

These are organized international crime groups. Many countries are suffering from their coordinated efforts, but Canada is cracking down and will punish these criminals.

Public SafetyOral Questions

3 p.m.

Conservative

Michelle Rempel Conservative Calgary Nose Hill, AB

Mr. Speaker, the Durham police are busy because the Liberals lack screening policies, lack a criminal justice system and let these people into the country to begin with, which is a problem. It is the same light-touch process that recently granted a visitor permit to an IRGC terrorist.

What is the best way to stop non-citizen criminals from committing crimes in Canada? It is preventing them from entering the country in the first place. Can the Liberals tell the victims of these violent, non-citizen criminals how they got into Canada to begin with?

Public SafetyOral Questions

3 p.m.

Brampton North—Caledon Ontario

Liberal

Ruby Sahota LiberalSecretary of State (Combatting Crime)

Mr. Speaker, do members know what victims in my community ask me? They ask me how long investigations will take. In order to speed up investigations and provide further tools to law enforcement, they need Bill C-22 to pass. However, the Conservatives in this House have been delaying that bill and have been on the side of social media giants, instead of on the side of Canadians so that public safety can be served.

Public SafetyOral Questions

3 p.m.

Conservative

Michelle Rempel Conservative Calgary Nose Hill, AB

Mr. Speaker, I do not think anybody in Canada is buying that. Everyone sees what happened here. The Liberals had mass immigration and open border policies coupled with a woke judiciary and catch-and-release bail policies for a decade. Now, people across the country, law-abiding Canadians and newcomers alike, are paying the price.

The Liberals rejected our common-sense Conservative bill that would have ensured that non-citizens convicted of serious crimes are sentenced based on their crimes, not on their passports. Why would they do that? Why are they continuing this craziness and allowing non-citizen criminal rings to continue to harass—

Public SafetyOral Questions

3 p.m.

The Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia

The hon. secretary of state.

Public SafetyOral Questions

3 p.m.

Brampton North—Caledon Ontario

Liberal

Ruby Sahota LiberalSecretary of State (Combatting Crime)

Mr. Speaker, these crime groups are linked to many countries around the world, and law enforcement is finding that these criminals are operating not just from within Canada, but from many different countries.

Do members know what would help? It would help to be able to investigate these crimes within Canada and be able to pass Bill C-22. We are one of the only western countries that does not have a legal access framework.

When will the Conservatives become tough on crime? The government is ready to do the work.

EmploymentOral Questions

3:05 p.m.

Liberal

Kristina Tesser Derksen Liberal Milton East—Halton Hills South, ON

Mr. Speaker, last Friday, families in my riding of Milton East—Halton Hills South woke up to good news. May's labour force survey showed robust job gains, which is a promising sign that our economic plan is bearing fruit. Also, the CRA began issuing payments under our government's enhanced Canada groceries and essentials benefit, which is equal to a 50% increase over the previous GST credit.

Can the Secretary of State for the CRA and Financial Institutions update this House on how our economic plan is setting a long-term trajectory for growth and resilience, while also making life more affordable for Canadians here and now?

EmploymentOral Questions

3:05 p.m.

Saint John—Kennebecasis New Brunswick

Liberal

Wayne Long LiberalSecretary of State (Canada Revenue Agency and Financial Institutions)

Mr. Speaker, the member for Milton East—Halton Hills South's question is another great one today.

Last week in Halifax, I was proud to announce that the CRA began issuing the top-up groceries and essentials benefit. By introducing that benefit, we are going to build a strong Canada. We are going to support families. We are going to build a strong economy. We see evidence of that with 88,000 jobs created just last month.

The glass is half empty; the Conservatives are going to talk down our economy. We are going to build Canada strong.

EmploymentOral Questions

3:05 p.m.

Conservative

Cheryl Gallant Conservative Algonquin—Renfrew—Pembroke, ON

Mr. Speaker, Bill from the valley is a home renovation contractor. He called me to tell me that, by the end of May, he is usually fully booked for the entire season. It is June, and he has just two projects booked. People are more worried about putting food on the table than about fixing a leaky roof or a broken porch. He thinks he may have to take on an extra line of work.

Will the Prime Minister tell Bill that Canada is in a recession, or is he going to tell Bill that he is just technically running out of work to do?

EmploymentOral Questions

3:05 p.m.

Whitby Ontario

Liberal

Ryan Turnbull LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance and National Revenue and to the Secretary of State (Canada Revenue Agency and Financial Institutions)

Mr. Speaker, there are many signs of progress in the Canadian economy. There is a 1.5% increase in consumer spending, and GDP per capita is up almost 1%. Wages have outpaced inflation, and the new May job numbers came out just last Friday. I know the Conservatives want to completely and wilfully ignore those numbers, but there are 88,000 net new jobs in the Canadian economy, 800% beyond expectations and recovering 80% of the job losses due to the tariff threats from the United States.

That is good news for Canada. We are building the foundations.

Indigenous AffairsOral Questions

3:05 p.m.

NDP

Gord Johns NDP Courtenay—Alberni, BC

Mr. Speaker, Alberta is considering several routes for a new diluted bitumen pipeline and export terminals through northern British Columbia, yet the Nisga'a Nation says that neither Alberta nor the federal Liberal government has discussed any oil pipeline proposal with the Nisga'a government. Reconciliation cannot mean making decisions first and talking to first nations later.

Will the government commit today to meaningful consultation, accommodation and free, prior and informed consent of affected first nations, and to upholding the north coast oil tanker ban?

Indigenous AffairsOral Questions

3:05 p.m.

Northwest Territories Northwest Territories

Liberal

Rebecca Alty LiberalMinister of Crown-Indigenous Relations

Mr. Speaker, when the proponent has a path, there will be the duty to consult and, if necessary, accommodate. However, there is no project so far, so the duty to consult has not begun yet.

The House resumed from June 4 consideration of Bill C-16, An Act to amend certain Acts in relation to criminal and correctional matters (child protection, gender-based violence, delays and other measures), as reported (with amendments) from the committee, and of the motions in Group No. 1.

Bill C-16 Protecting Victims ActGovernment Orders

3:05 p.m.

The Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia

It being 3:09 p.m., the House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded divisions on the motions at report stage of Bill C-16.

Call in the members.

And the bells having rung:

The question is on Motion No. 1.

A vote on this motion also applies to Motion No. 3.

(The House divided on Motion No. 1, which was negatived on the following division:)

Vote #135