House of Commons Hansard #132 of the 45th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was affordable.
This summary is computer-generated. Usually it’s accurate, but every now and then it’ll contain inaccuracies or total fabrications.
Instruction to Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security Conservative members move to split Bill C-22 into two parts to address government surveillance concerns effectively. Conservatives argue that splitting the bill would allow expedited passage of part 1 while providing necessary time to debate contentious provisions in part 2. Liberal members criticize the delay, characterizing Conservative tactics as an attempt to impede tougher crime measures and hinder law enforcement access to modern investigative tools. 4400 words, 1 hour.
Bill C‑20—Time Allocation Motion Members debate a time allocation motion for Bill C-20, which establishes "Build Canada Homes." Minister Gregor Robertson defends the new Crown corporation as essential for the housing crisis. Conservative MPs criticize creating a redundant housing agency without clear targets, while the Bloc Québécois requests flexibility for regions facing unique costs. The House then moves to a recorded vote. 4500 words, 30 minutes.
Build Canada Homes Act Third reading of Bill C-20. The bill proposes establishing Build Canada Homes as a Crown corporation to accelerate affordable housing delivery. Liberal members argue this necessary Crown corporation provides the autonomy and tools needed to increase housing supply. Conversely, Conservative MPs contend the legislation creates a fourth federal housing agency, arguing it imposes unnecessary bureaucracy without clear, measurable targets. Opposition members further claim the focus should remain on lowering construction costs rather than expanding federal administrative structures. 42100 words, 6 hours in 3 segments: 1 2 3.
Remarks by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Industry—Speaker's Ruling The Speaker rules on a question of privilege raised by the member for Louis-Saint-Laurent—Akiawenhrahk, concluding that the dispute over economic data interpretations does not constitute a prima facie case of intentionally misleading the House. 600 words.
Corrections and Conditional Release Act Second reading of Bill C-232. The bill mandates that dangerous offenders and multi-murderers remain in maximum-security institutions. Conservative members argue these serious criminal offenders require strict confinement to ensure public safety and respect victims, whereas Liberals and the Bloc Québécois contend such policies undermine rehabilitation efforts and favor punitive measures over evidence-based correctional practices. 7600 words, 1 hour.
Protecting Victims Act Third reading of Bill C-16. The bill, titled "the protecting victims act" (/debates/2026/6/9/anthony-housefather-2/), aims to update the Criminal Code to address modern crimes, including coercive control and online child exploitation. While the government argues the legislation strengthens protections for children and victims of gender-based violence, the Conservative opposition has criticized the inclusion of a "safety valve" provision (clause 63, /debates/2026/6/9/larry-brock-3/) that allows judges to bypass mandatory minimum penalties, arguing it undermines accountability for serious offenses. 25500 words, 3 hours.
Adjournment Debate - Marine Transportation Gord Johns criticizes the inequitable federal funding for BC Ferries compared to Atlantic Canada, arguing for a new support model. Caroline Desrochers defends the current arrangements, emphasizing the federal government's existing indexed contributions and reaffirming that ferry operations remain, by agreement, a primary responsibility of the British Columbia provincial government. 1400 words, 10 minutes.
Brad Vis Conservative Mission—Matsqui—Abbotsford, BC
Mr. Speaker, on this side of the House of Commons, we believe in the incredible potential of Canadian youth, yet the Bank of Canada says the surge in temporary foreign workers is driving down wages and making it harder for young Canadians to find jobs. The youth unemployment rate sits at over 14%.
While Conservatives would prioritize jobs for Canadian youth, the Liberals are still flooding the labour market with temporary foreign workers when young Canadians cannot find work. Why?
Jill McKnight LiberalMinister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence
Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from the other side for the question specifically about youth jobs and youth employment.
Youth employment rose by 22,000 jobs in May. Youth unemployment fell by 0.9%, the first decline since January. That means we have more work to do, which is why we have announced a $6‑billion investment in our team “Canada Strong” plan, mobilizing skilled trades for the workforce. It builds on youth-focused employment programs, like the Canada summer jobs. Youth in British Columbia see the opportunities ahead.
Brad Vis Conservative Mission—Matsqui—Abbotsford, BC
Mr. Speaker, young Canadians do appreciate the Canada summer jobs, but it does not omit the fact that this government let in over 170,000 foreign workers in the last four quarters. These programs were meant to be temporary, but under this government, they have become permanent and unchecked. The Globe and Mail calls it an “enduring problem” created by Ottawa's overreliance on foreign workers.
Why has this government let the temporary foreign worker program spiral out of control, and when will it finally rein it in?
Joël Lightbound LiberalMinister of Government Transformation
Mr. Speaker, I think there is a balance to be struck, and we are striking that balance between labour needs and the temporary foreign worker program.
I would simply urge my colleague to repeat his question in French, because what I am hearing from his Quebec colleagues is that more temporary foreign workers are needed. That balance is being struck specifically in rural areas and in Quebec to meet labour needs across the country.
Michelle Rempel Conservative Calgary Nose Hill, AB
Mr. Speaker, I would like that minister to tell Ethan Miranda, a young unemployed tech worker who poured his heart out to the immigration committee because he put out 500 résumés, is highly educated, yet did not get a single call back, that we need more temporary foreign workers. Conservatives would abolish the temporary foreign worker program and replace it with a targeted program for genuinely hard-to-fill agricultural jobs, and match unemployed Canadians to regions with severe labour shortages.
Why will the Liberals not follow suit?
Steven MacKinnon LiberalMinister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, I thought what my hon. colleague was pointing out was the utter abject hypocrisy coming from that side of the House. We receive multiple interventions, legitimate interventions, on the part of small and medium-sized businesses in rural Quebec that seek to have more temporary foreign workers. The words of that member and another colleague from British Columbia try to demagogue this issue and blame situations on temporary foreign workers. These guys are going to have to come to some form of agreement on temporary foreign workers.
Michelle Rempel Conservative Calgary Nose Hill, AB
Mr. Speaker, yes, there are regions in Canada with ultralow unemployment. However, in major urban centres across the country, unemployment is out of control. There are over 400,000 young Canadians who are out of work. Instead of flooding the labour market with more temporary foreign workers, the government should be trying to match available Canadians with those jobs. This is where the policy discussion should be, not with the interests of lobbyists.
Why will the government not abolish the TFW program and match available Canadians with available jobs?
Steven MacKinnon LiberalMinister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, the number of temporary foreign workers in this country is down by over 50%. That does not mean we have reached equilibrium. There are legitimate issues in rural and other parts of this country, including in small businesses in rural Quebec, and members from that side of the House quite accurately reflect it.
I thought we had put a stop to the highly duplicitous practice of saying one thing in English and something else in French in the House 20 years ago.
We are fed up with the hypocrisy.
Sima Acan Liberal Oakville West, ON
Mr. Speaker, with a background in public safety projects, I recognize that cyber-threats pose a growing risk to Canadians, and our government is confronting this challenge head-on. Last week, Bill C-8, the act respecting cybersecurity, passed third reading in the Senate and is now awaiting royal assent. This legislation will ensure critical infrastructure operators can prepare for, prevent and respond to cyber-incidents.
Could the Minister of Public Safety explain what this means for the safety and security of Canadians and critical infrastructure in key sectors such as finance, telecommunications, energy and transportation?
Gary Anandasangaree LiberalMinister of Public Safety
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague from Oakville West for her advocacy.
Canadians must have confidence in the integrity and security of the products and services they use each and every day. This is why we are taking the necessary steps to protect Canadians, our critical infrastructure and our economy through Bill C-8. This piece of legislation will help critical infrastructure operators better prepare for, prevent and respond to cyber-incidents that threaten Canadian interests. We will continue to modernize Canada's security tools while safeguarding privacy and keeping Canadians safe.
Vincent Ho Conservative Richmond Hill South, ON
Mr. Speaker, the Liberal government's open borders policy has let 700 IRGC regime-linked terrorists into Canada. On May 28, the failed Liberal immigration minister told the House that 17,800 applications have been reviewed for potential inadmissibility, but after all these reviews, what Canadians got was a handful of visas cancelled, some CBSA investigations under way and only one person deported. Canadians of Iranian heritage in Richmond Hill and across the country no longer feel safe in their own communities.
How can the Liberals say they are protecting Canadians when they keep letting the terrorists roam freely here at home?
Lena Metlege Diab LiberalMinister of Immigration
Mr. Speaker, let us get the facts straight. I answered four hours of questions in committee of the whole for all Canadians to hear. I was very clear in my response that IRGC officials are inadmissible to Canada and have no place in our country.
Lena Metlege Diab Liberal Halifax West, NS
I am not sure if the opposition wants to hear the response, because all I hear is heckling.
Public SafetyOral Questions
The Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia
Yes, there are some loud voices on this side.
Please keep the voice level down.
The hon. minister may continue.
Lena Metlege Diab Liberal Halifax West, NS
Mr. Speaker, it was this government that put the ban on. The ban continues. We will continue to protect Canadians.
Michael Chong Conservative Wellington—Halton Hills North, ON
Mr. Speaker, the government granted a visa to a former IRGC commander who arrived at Toronto Pearson airport on April 28 to attend the FIFA World Cup. The government also failed to deport an Iranian regime supporter who has been convicted of sanctions violations and has been here so long that he is suing the government. The government has said for a year that dozens of senior Iranian officials are here, but exactly one has been deported, as was previously mentioned.
When will the government treat foreign interference threats seriously and protect our Persian community?
Gary Anandasangaree LiberalMinister of Public Safety
Mr. Speaker, the safety and security of all Canadians is critically important to this government. That is why we are taking decisive action to ensure security at the border, including ensuring that those who are inadmissible to Canada are not allowed in.
If the Conservative Party wants to talk seriously about crime and law enforcement, they need to get serious on Bill C-22, which is a lawful access act before the House. Instead of stonewalling and dragging their feet on critically important legislation, they should support it today so that we can get this through the House before we rise.
Melissa Lantsman Conservative Thornhill, ON
Mr. Speaker, those ministers must know that if someone is inadmissible, they are not allowed into the country. The Minister of Immigration admitted to the House that her government let people with ties to the IRGC into this country and she admitted that thousands of visas have been or needed to be reviewed since the beginning of this year, but she will not admit how many people with ties to the IRGC are actually here.
Can the minister stand up now, from her seat, and finally tell the House if more than one IRGC agent has been deported from this country?
Lena Metlege Diab LiberalMinister of Immigration
Mr. Speaker, let us try this again. As we have repeatedly said, IRGC officials are inadmissible to Canada. They are not being admitted. There is a ban; that ban continues to be in place. Any senior officials who have served in the Iranian regime since June 2003 onward are not admissible to Canada.
Stéphane Lauzon Liberal Argenteuil—La Petite-Nation, QC
Mr. Speaker, in the face of unprecedented volatility, Canadians want both a long-term plan for economic growth and immediate action to help them with the rising cost of living. Our new government offers both.
Last week, more than 12 million Canadians began receiving the enhanced Canada groceries and essentials benefit. This one‑time payment, combined with future payments, will allow a family of four to receive up to $1,890 per year. This is just one of the ways in which we are improving affordability for Canadians.
Could the Minister of Finance tell us about the other measures that we have taken to improve affordability?
François-Philippe Champagne LiberalMinister of Finance and National Revenue
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague for his leadership and for his excellent question.
He has contributed to highlighting the good news that we received last week.
With the Prime Minister, we are building the most resilient economy in the G7. While we are seeing strong growth in the Canadian economy, we are also keenly aware that the issue that matters to Canadians is affordability.
We know that we need to take action on housing, groceries and gas prices. Last week, 12 million Canadians received additional support to deal with the rising cost of groceries. All Canadians watching at home know that, on this side of the House, we will always be there for them.
Jeremy Patzer Conservative Swift Current—Grasslands—Kindersley, SK
Mr. Speaker, I heard from several farmers and local media that test plots at Canada's only federal organic research station at Swift Current were ploughed under and receded, destroying years of valuable research. The minister will probably stand up and say, “this is just a usual organics process” and “ignore the data loss,” but really, this is the Liberals' weak attempt at responding to the massive push-back from farmers and industry.
The Liberal agriculture minister said that shutting federal research centres was worthwhile, but organic farming in Canada is an $11-billion industry and growing.
Does the minister really want his legacy to be destroying organic research in Canada?
Heath MacDonald LiberalMinister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
Mr. Speaker, I think the hon. member across the way knows exactly what took place at the research station relevant to the organic growth. They are plowing the fields and working the land, as they do every other year, and they will continue to do that.
Research is important in this country. We have been doing it for 140 years. We have over 17 stations that will remain open, and we will continue to grow our research in Canada.
Simon-Pierre Savard-Tremblay Bloc Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot—Acton, QC
Mr. Speaker, Donald Trump is imposing tariffs on countries that are not doing enough to address forced labour in their imports. Although that is an excuse, the fact remains that Canada is like a sieve; it has hardly made any seizures at the border.
Last fall, I introduced Bill C‑251, which would require importers to prove that products from certain regions are not made with forced labour or child labour.
Now that the Prime Minister is finally saying he wants to do more to address forced labour, will he get my bill passed at all stages?