Debates of Sept. 21st, 2026

Air Transportation

[Sébastien Lemire, Bloc, Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC]

Mr. Speaker, last week, the Liberal government announced that it intends to privatize Canada's four major airports, including Montreal's airport in Dorval. This airport plays a key role in Quebec's economy, and in Montreal's economy in particular. This is what is known as strategic infrastructure. Ottawa is prepared to hand over this airport to the private sector and even to foreign airports.

Before making such an important decision for Quebec's economy, did the federal government consult the Government of Quebec, or does it believe that it does not need to do so?

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

Mr. Speaker, investing in our regional routes across Canada, including in the regions of Quebec, is essential. Investing in our airport infrastructure across the country is essential. Investing in real and virtual connections for all Canadians is essential. That is why we are moving forward with a model where we can have investments in our airports to allow the government to better serve Canadians through air transportation.

[Sébastien Lemire, Bloc, Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC]

Mr. Speaker, we take that to mean “no”.

Aéroports de Montréal comprises representatives of the Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal, the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal, the Government of Quebec, and of the airlines. Essentially, they are representatives from Quebec because the airport sector plays a vital role in Quebec's economy. Somehow though, this was not important enough for anyone in the government to pick up the phone and call Quebec to consult them.

How can the Liberals justify this total lack of respect and consideration for the Government of Quebec and for Quebeckers?

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

Mr. Speaker, if we take a look around the world, what do we see? Canadians' pension funds, including funds such as the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec, are not only investing but they are also operating airports in Australia, Asia and across Europe.

We believe that, since Canada is lagging behind in this area, it is high time that our pension funds are brought home and invested in our airports. That way, this expertise benefits Canadians.

The Economy

[Rhonda Kirkland, Conservative, Oshawa, ON]

Mr. Speaker, Oshawa has one of the highest unemployment rates in the country, and I hear the same message every time I meet with local auto workers and their families: “Protect our jobs.”

Conservatives have proposed taking the GST off Canadian-made vehicles. We have even found $150 billion in savings by cutting items like high-priced consultants, corporate welfare and bureaucracy.

Will the Liberal government eliminate the industrial carbon tax, cut wasteful spending and lower the cost of building homes and vehicles here at home?

[Tim Hodgson, Liberal, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources]

Mr. Speaker, rather than scare Canadians, we are helping Canadians have hope. That is why today, with the Ontario government, we announced that the Pickering refurbishment is going to move forward. That is 30,500 new jobs. That is $26 billion of new investment in Ontario.

Maybe the Conservatives might want to help us build Canada strong.

[Rhonda Kirkland, Conservative, Oshawa, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I think the member meant to say, “rather than hear Canadians”.

Families are struggling every day with groceries, gas and making ends meet, and small businesses are being squeezed as well. Conservatives have proposed solutions: Cut wasteful spending to lower debt and inflation, and remove all federal taxes on gas until at least Canada Day next year.

Canadians need relief today. Will the Liberal government cut consultants and corporate welfare, eliminate the industrial carbon tax and adopt the Conservative plan to save Canadians money now?

[Tim Hodgson, Liberal, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources]

Mr. Speaker, I know the member opposite had a scripted question that she needed to ask, so let me repeat the answer. There are 30,500 new jobs and $26 billion invested. That is on top of thousands and—

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[The Speaker, Francis Scarpaleggia]

I held off as long as possible, but I really could not hear the last bit.

The minister may continue.

[Tim Hodgson, Liberal, Markham—Thornhill, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I know that the member opposite was focused on her scripted question, so let me give the answer again.

Today, there are 30,500 new jobs, and $26 billion is being invested in Ontario. That is on top of 18,000 jobs at Darlington. I could keep going.

Housing

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

Mr. Speaker, this summer, I hosted young Canadians to talk about planning and saving to buy their first home, but they feel they will never own a home. They are depressed. They are dejected. They are defeated. The Prime Minister promised he would build 500,000 new homes at speeds never seen, but last week, the Minister of Housing said that the government has committed to, not built, only 19,000 homes.

The Conservative plan to save Canadians money on housing will tie federal dollars to faster permits and take the taxes off new homes.

Minister, your plan is not working. Why not save Canadians money—

[The Speaker, Francis Scarpaleggia]

The hon. member should speak through through the Chair.

The hon. Minister of Housing and Infrastructure.

[Gregor Robertson, Liberal, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada]

Mr. Speaker, it is good to be back in the House and to see my colleagues.

We are absolutely focused on getting housing built for young Canadians and making sure they are not paying GST on their first-time home purchases. This is a move that was not supported by the Conservatives across the way, unfortunately. They should be consistent, at least.

Rents are coming down across Canada. Average rents have been down for 23 straight months. Affordability is coming our way. We are focused on building more housing. Build Canada Homes is rolling it out at pace. We will continue to do so.

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

Mr. Speaker, the government is not focused on new housing. The minister's own agency, CMHC, reports that fewer homes will be built this year than last year, and that housing construction is slowing down, not speeding up. That means the next generation is losing the dream of home ownership under your watch.

The Conservative plan to save—

[The Speaker, Francis Scarpaleggia]

This is the second time I have had to mention this to the hon. member. The first time, I could understand a slip-up, but please, members, speak through the Chair.

The hon. minister.

[Gregor Robertson, Liberal, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada]

Mr. Speaker, CMHC also weighed in on the fact that the lowering of the development charges by this government in Ontario and B.C. is actually improving the prospects for housing supply in those provinces, and we are just getting started. There is a mix of housing starts across the country. Housing starts are up in critical markets such as Montreal and Vancouver. We need to see that across the country, and we are focused on affordability.

Seniors

[Connie Cody, Conservative, Cambridge, ON]

Mr. Speaker, Canadians are being forced to make impossible choices to make ends meet. Mark, a 73-year-old senior in my community of Cambridge, retired at 65, but in this affordability crisis, he has been forced back into the workforce because his retirement income is no longer enough to pay today's higher cost of living. This Canadian is not asking for a handout. He is asking for the financial security he earned through a lifetime of hard work.

When will the Liberal government stand up for our retired seniors and adopt our Conservative economic plan, which saves Canadians money, so seniors such as Mark can retire with dignity?

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

Mr. Speaker, Mark will be very happy to know that we index all our benefits to inflation. In fact, I wonder if Mark knows that the member is voting against his interests every time she stands up in the House. I wonder if Mark knows that every time we strengthen our social safety nets, not just for seniors but for children and the next generation as well, she votes against those people too.

On this side, we are going to stand up for Canadians. It is what we have been doing every day, despite the Conservatives.

The Economy

[Tanveer Shahnawaz, Liberal, Beaches—East York, ON]

Mr. Speaker, it is an honour to rise in the House on behalf of the people of Beaches—East York for the first time. They sent me here to help bring down costs for families, protect workers and businesses, and build a more prosperous Canada for all.

Can the Minister of Industry please update the House on the work being done to attract new investment, diversify markets and build a stronger economy?

[Mélanie Joly, Liberal, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions]

Mr. Speaker, I want to welcome my fantastic colleague to the House.

In this rapidly changing world, investors are looking for new markets and stable partners, and last week made it clear that Canada is that place. The investment summit attracted investors from almost 30 countries, which manage more than $100 trillion in assets. We were able to showcase to them how much Canada has to offer. The investment summit also unleashed nearly $500 billion of new investments into Canadian businesses, workers and infrastructure.

International Trade

[Michael Barrett, Conservative, Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands—Rideau Lakes, ON]

Mr. Speaker, Northern Cables in Brockville sells about half its production in the United States, and it employs skilled Canadian workers. Trump's unjustified 50% tariffs have already cost the company new U.S. work and put future Canadian investment at risk. If Canadian countertariffs are going to drive up costs for Canadian families, they would like to know by how much.

Our question for the government is simple: How much are these countertariffs going to cost Canadian families, and what are the Liberals going to do to bring down costs for Canadians to make up for it?

[Dominic LeBlanc, Liberal, President of the King’s Privy Council for Canada and Minister responsible for Canada-U.S. Trade]

Mr. Speaker, our government spent many weeks this summer pursuing in good faith an agreement with the United States that would have strengthened the Canadian economy and ensured Canadian sovereignty on issues as important as cultural industries and our ability to sign free trade agreements with reliable partners. At the end of the day, the Prime Minister concluded that the agreement was not possible; it was not on the table. Canada did what Canadians expected us to do: stand up for our sovereignty, stand up for our industries and stand up for our workers.

I am surprised the hon. member is not supporting our government's effort to support Canadian workers.

[Michael Barrett, Conservative, Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands—Rideau Lakes, ON]

Mr. Speaker, what Canadians expect the government to do is two things at the same time: first and foremost, to always stand up for Canada, and second, to make sure that it is also saving money for Canadians.

The countertariffs are already creating all kinds of knock-on effects in the Canadian economy. Canadians are losing jobs, including in my riding, such as at Invista, which has already closed its operation, putting more than 100 people out of work.

What we want to know is which part of the Conservative plan that we have proposed to help bring down costs for Canadian families are the Liberals willing to adopt today.

[Dominic LeBlanc, Liberal, President of the King’s Privy Council for Canada and Minister responsible for Canada-U.S. Trade]

Mr. Speaker, perhaps what our colleague fails to realize is that countertariffs are also essential to protect Canadian workers and Canadian businesses that are facing, from the United States, tariffs that are unjustified, illegal and not in compliance with CUSMA.

Our colleague pretends what? Is it that we should not have taken measures to support Canadian industries and Canadian workers?

Countertariffs are part of the measures that our government is implementing, and we are also going to support businesses and workers to get through this circumstance, as any responsible government should.