Debates of Sept. 22nd, 2026

Rail Safety Week

[Mike Kelloway, Liberal, Sydney—Glace Bay, NS]

Mr. Speaker, September 21 to 27 marks Rail Safety Week across Canada. Our railways connect communities, move Canadian goods to market and support jobs and growth, but as we strengthen these connections, safety must always come first.

Through the railway improvement program, our government works with communities and railway companies to make crossings and rail corridors safer through investments in infrastructure, technology and education, but rail safety is a shared responsibility, so I encourage all Canadians to stay clear of tracks, use designated crossings and remain alert to the signals, the signs and the trains.

I thank Operation Lifesaver Canada, the railway workers, the first responders and everyone helping to keep our communities safe. When we look out for one another, we help ensure every Canadian gets home safely.

Impact of Tariffs

[Matt Strauss, Conservative, Kitchener South—Hespeler, ON]

Mr. Speaker, Bruce Kennedy was born and raised in the Waterloo region. He founded Stance Healthcare, based in south Kitchener, where they manufacture furniture for hospitals. They employ 125 of my friends and neighbours. They are a homegrown success story, but now they are suffering from tariffs. Since the new round last month, they have already lost $2 million in tariff costs. This cannot go on.

I contacted the Liberal Secretary of State for Small Business on Bruce's behalf. What she sent back was a list of announcements that the Prime Minister has made about support for tariff-affected businesses. That is all. It was a list of announcements. It is all talk and no results. Stance Healthcare has not received a penny in actual support. Bruce and his workers face an impossible decision. They cannot keep losing hundreds of thousands a month. They either have to move jobs across the border or lay off 125 hard-working Canadians.

The Prime Minister promised to win this trade war. He promised to support struggling businesses. It is five minutes to midnight for Stance. I call upon the Prime Minister to keep his promises.

Harvest Music Festival

[David Myles, Liberal, Fredericton—Oromocto, NB]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Harvest Music Festival on another incredibly successful year. For 36 years, the festival has been bringing downtown Fredericton to life every September, with huge crowds filling the streets for six full days to celebrate the power of live music.

Harvest draws tens of thousands of people to downtown Fredericton. With 400 musicians and 700 volunteers, it is one of Fredericton's biggest events of the year.

This year, tickets to the Barenaked Ladies and Graham Nash sold out in one minute. The Beaches were there, as well as Sloan and a ton of local acts like the Hypochondriacs and Chillteens. I remember as a teenager watching from outside the tents dreaming of what it might be like to play on a stage like that, and I know the festival continues to grow and inspire the next generation of musicians.

Harvest is a testament to Fredericton's love of culture, community and having a good time.

Congratulations on another successful year.

Happy harvest, everyone.

WorldSkills Competitor

[Laila Goodridge, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Cold Lake, AB]

Mr. Speaker, I want to recognize an extraordinary young tradesperson from Fort McMurray who is making history on the world stage. Keegan Sturge is a Keyano College apprentice electrician, and he is currently in Shanghai, China, representing team Canada in the electrical installation category at the prestigious WorldSkills competition. He is facing off against the best young tradespeople from more than 70 countries.

Keegan's journey started when he entered a registered apprenticeship program in high school. Guided by his instructor and mentor Dawn Ohama, he has spent countless hours in specialized training, national competitions and international camps. I have had the opportunity to see his work up close and learn first hand about the challenges he has faced along the way. His passion for his trade is truly inspiring, and I hope his journey sends a message to all young people out there to look at the trades.

I would ask all members of the House to join me in wishing Keegan all the best as he starts his competition at WorldSkills. Keegan's community and his country are extremely proud of him.

Summer in Beauport—Limoilou

[Steeve Lavoie, Liberal, Beauport—Limoilou, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I am glad to be back in Ottawa after a busy summer in my riding of Beauport—Limoilou.

I spent the past few months visiting businesses, attending events and meeting with organizations. Most importantly, I took time to listen to everyone's concerns, needs and ideas. Whether in the beautiful parks of Beauport or on the bustling streets of Limoilou, each of these encounters reminded me how privileged I am to represent my community. What can I say about summer in Beauport—Limoilou? From the Cigale festival on the beach at Beauport Bay to the Limoilou market on 3rd Avenue, our community once again showcased its energy and vitality.

I am very pleased to see you again, Mr. Speaker, and to be reunited with all my colleagues in the House.

I thank the people of Beauport—Limoilou for a great summer.

Bald Range Wildfire Response

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

Mr. Speaker, on the evening of August 7, when the Bald Range wildfire ignited and spread with frightening speed, brave firefighters and first responders put their lives on the line to keep us safe and to protect our lives, our homes and our communities.

Within hours, the entire community of Summerland was evacuated. Thousands of evacuees poured into Penticton, many with little more than the shirts on their backs. Citizens opened up their homes, served meals and handed out water. Comfort centres opened for families who had lost everything, but in that darkness, we saw courage and compassion.

we thank the firefighters, first responders, volunteers and every neighbour who stepped forward for showing us, in the face of disaster, how much we all mean to each other.

Wildland Firefighters

[Patrick Weiler, Liberal, West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country, BC]

Mr. Speaker, as summer comes to an end, I want to recognize the wildland firefighters who spent another season on the front lines protecting our communities. Unfortunately, this year, we saw devastation across the country, including in Summerland, where hundreds of homes and properties were lost, and near Thunder Bay, which became the largest wildfire ever recorded in Ontario's history. Closer to home, the Signal Hill wildfire was barely a kilometre away from the community of Pemberton and reminded us just how quickly a fire can grow and put lives, homes and entire communities at risk.

For most of us, when we see a wildfire approaching a community, we watch in horror at the devastation it can leave behind. Wildland firefighters do the opposite. They run toward it. They work through extreme heat, smoke and dangerous terrain, often spending weeks away from their families, and the risks that they take can follow them long after they leave the fire line through the lasting health impacts of repeated exposure to smoke and other hazards.

Today, I want to recognize every wildland firefighter who stepped forward this summer, and every summer, when communities needed them the most. I thank them for their courage and their sacrifice in protecting communities across our great country.

Anti-Semitism

[Shelby Kramp-Neuman, Conservative, Hastings—Lennox and Addington—Tyendinaga, ON]

Mr. Speaker, as members of the Jewish community gathered at the Sons of Jacob Synagogue to observe Yom Kippur, the holiest and most solemn day in Judaism, gunfire erupted outside their place of worship. Constable Jeff Smith of the Belleville Police Service was seriously wounded while defending the synagogue and members of the Jewish community gathered inside.

Every Canadian has the right to worship, gather with their community and practise their faith in peace and without fear. Anti-Semitism, hatred and violence have no place in Belleville or anywhere in this country, and significant action is urgently needed to end this hateful ideology.

I know the collective support of the House is with Constable Smith and his family, colleagues at the Belleville Police Service, members of the Sons of the Jacob congregation and the broader Jewish community, which has been shaken by this cowardly attack. I would also like to acknowledge my neighbour and colleague, the member for Bay of Quinte. In moments such as these, politics must give way to our shared responsibility to the people we represent.

Csur Co-operative

[Claude DeBellefeuille, Bloc, Beauharnois—Salaberry—Soulanges—Huntingdon, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Csur co-op, a social economy enterprise that embodies the best of community-based entrepreneurship and regional innovation in Vaudreuil-Soulanges.

For the past two decades, Csur has been harnessing local resources to carry out ambitious projects that benefit our community. Thanks to its members' determination, the co-op has helped improve access to high-speed Internet in several rural parts of our region that were neglected by the major providers. With nearly 200 kilometres of fibre optic infrastructure, Csur's network now serves 10 municipalities.

Another Csur initiative is the Marché Écolocal, a market that supports our local producers while strengthening our regional economy. There, now everyone knows my favourite place to buy groceries.

I salute the founders, employees, volunteers, board members and partners who have contributed to this remarkable success.

On behalf of the people of Vallée-du-Haut-Saint-Laurent, I congratulate the Csur co-op on 20 years of success.

Brampton South

[Sonia Sidhu, Liberal, Brampton South, ON]

Mr. Speaker, this summer I joined residents across Brampton South at Carabram, Flavours of Nigeria, the Nepal Festival, Vibrant Brampton, Ahmadiyya Jama'at Jalsa Salana, and the Malayalee boat race to celebrate Brampton's diversity through the unveiling of the monument at Azores Park.

There was a $5.2-million investment in BHive Technologies, and the launch of Canada's first strategic exports office at MDA Space is helping drive innovation. I also want to highlight Celiac Canada's day of smiles at the Davis Family Farm, and Hockey Night in Brampton with the Honey Badgers and NHL players Morgan Rielly and Mark Messier to support the Brampton Civic Hospital.

Representing Canada at international forums in Manila and South Africa made me realize the respect Canadians have earned on the world stage through democratic leadership. The seventh HKL global movement conference was a powerful reminder that kindness, humility and service remain the foundation of stronger communities and a strong Canada.

Affordability

[Greg McLean, Conservative, Calgary Centre, AB]

Mr. Speaker, working Canadians are doing their best in a K-shaped economy, where those with assets are doing relatively well, while those striving to buy their first home are seeing that dream move out of reach. The government has created a financial reality where Canadians are asked to take on more debt, pay more interest and accept a lower standard of living than the generation before them. Work harder and expect less is not the legacy we were supposed to leave our children, yet the Liberal government continues to manage expectations downward because its policies have led to a less prosperous country. That means lower results for everyone, including less food security, less shelter and lower expectations for health outcomes. A generation's future is being pulled back because that is the price of the government's choices.

Where we are is clear. How we got here is evident. What Canadians need now is a government prepared to change course, restore opportunity and build a future where the next generation can contribute more and expect more.

The Economy

[Marilyn Gladu, Liberal, Sarnia—Lambton—Bkejwanong, ON]

Mr. Speaker, Canadians and Canadian businesses are navigating the challenges created by this era of global volatility, economic uncertainty and unjust trade tensions. Our government has a plan to harness this moment to bolster the Canadian economy by driving growth, attracting investment and increasing our economic competitiveness, all while supporting our Canadian businesses.

Our Prime Minister's plan is working. Canada's economy is showing strong momentum, with real GDP rising by 3.3%. Canada experienced the strongest growth in the G7 in Q2, double the growth of the next closest peer and more than double the annualized growth of the United States. We are diversifying our trade away from the U.S. Business investment is rising, with strong gains in building and construction, machinery, and equipment.

We are working hard to build Canada strong, and we will continue to do this for Canadians.

Affordability

[Andrew Lawton, Conservative, Elgin—St. Thomas—London South, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I may remind the House that, unlike the member prior, only my tie is red today.

It is very important for us to stand up in the House for affordability for Canadians. A new Royal Bank of Canada survey found that more than half of parents with adult children aged 18 to 40 provided financial support over the past year, contributing an average of $6,151.

It is not just that generation. I met with a group of seniors in St. Thomas a couple of weeks ago. One of them said that she does not eat lunch because of the price of groceries. More shocking was when almost every other senior at the table said that they did not either. This is a fact of life in Canada, the same Canada of which the Prime Minister says affordability is the best it has been in a decade.

Would the Prime Minister like me to tell these seniors that, or will he do it himself?

Back to School in Trois-Rivières

[Caroline Desrochers, Liberal, Trois-Rivières, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the new school year is well under way in Trois‑Rivières, and I want to wish all of our students, teachers and staff a wonderful school year.

Again this summer, the Canada summer jobs program provided about 250 young people in Trois‑Rivières with their first work experience and the opportunity to get involved in organizations that make a real difference in our community, including day camps and Carpe Diem, an organization that works with people with Alzheimer's.

These experiences help our young people gain confidence and develop skills that will serve them well for years to come. Our government continues to invest in the future of young people by investing in job opportunities and the team Canada strong program, by supporting families in their daily lives and by building more affordable housing in our community of Trois‑Rivières.

I want to wish all of the students in Trois‑Rivières and their families a great year filled with new discoveries, exciting projects and success.

The Economy

[Cheryl Gallant, Conservative, Algonquin—Renfrew—Pembroke, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I recently received a handwritten letter that I would like to share with the Canadians. It reads, “Hello, I'm 11. Yes, I'm young, but my mom said I can voice my future economy concerns to you.” This young girl's letter shared some of her family's experiences in struggling with rent and food. Her family is spending $2,000 a month to rent a one-bedroom apartment. She ends by writing that all she want is for prices to go down so t-shirts and sweaters are $5 combined and pants and socks are $6. She just wants to go to school without repeating her outfits the same week.

It is important to hear directly from Canadians on the front lines of the Liberals' war on affordability, but it is heartbreaking to know that all the government has to offer this young girl is more debt to fuel inflationary spending. Renaming the GST does nothing to put clothes on her back.

Hamilton Mountain

[Lisa Hepfner, Liberal, Hamilton Mountain, ON]

Mr. Speaker, small businesses are the lifeblood of our economy, so I spent much of the summer checking in on businesses on Hamilton Mountain to see how they are managing the unfair U.S. tariffs that have upended their business models.

One particular highlight was my visit to Niko Apparel Systems with owner Joe Camillo. The factory floor has 66 advanced machines for designing and sewing niche market sports jerseys. One employee, Olga, proudly described how she juggles six different threads at a time while sewing jerseys for local hockey, cycling or lacrosse teams, or referee jerseys for Ron Foxcroft. These are jerseys designed and made on Hamilton Mountain with Canadian materials.

Hamilton businesses are fiercely proud to be Canadian. The U.S. tariffs are a threat, but thanks to the regional tariff response initiative, our government is helping businesses such as Niko expand and adapt despite these trying economic times. Niko has been on the mountain for 30 years. We want to see it continue for decades to come.

The Economy

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

Mr. Speaker, while the Liberals are spending billions of dollars on consultations, corporate subsidies and costly projects, we Conservatives have identified over $150 billion in savings. That is nearly $10,000 per family to help shrink the debt, reduce taxes and save Canadians money.

Will the government cut spending on consultants and corporate subsidies, eliminate the industrial carbon tax and adopt the Conservative economic action plan?

[François-Philippe Champagne, Liberal, Minister of Finance and National Revenue]

Mr. Speaker, I know it's Tuesday and my colleague needs some good news.

Let us talk about economic growth: 1.6%, 1.5%, 1.4%, 1.2%, 0.8%. Those are the the other G7 countries' second-quarter growth rates. Canada's was 3.3%, the highest in the G7.

Together, we are going to build Canada strong. Together, we will build the strongest economy in the G7.

I hope the Conservatives will get on board with our plan to build Canada strong together.

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

Mr. Speaker, when I hear the Minister of Finance rhyme off numbers like that, I see how completely disconnected they are from reality. The everyday reality for Canadians is that, after years of Liberal spending, they are paying more for housing, food and transportation.

The Conservative plan will save them money on housing, gas, groceries and Canadian-made cars.

Why do the Liberals insist on defending their taxes and spending instead of helping Canadians save money?

[François-Philippe Champagne, Liberal, Minister of Finance and National Revenue]

Mr. Speaker, I have the right answer for the Conservatives, and it is called “C-38”.

Today, they have a chance to show Canadians they know that the number one issue is affordability, the cost of gas, the cost of food and the cost of housing.

The good news is that we have taken action on all three. Today, I had the pleasure of introducing Bill C‑38, which extends the temporary suspension of the federal excise tax on gasoline.

People at home are watching. Will the Conservatives do the right thing to help Canadians?

[Melissa Lantsman, Conservative, Thornhill, ON]

Mr. Speaker, it is a day into the session, and there is nothing from the government to fix the affordability crisis on rent, on mortgages and on groceries. This is at a time when Canadians pay more in taxes than they do for bare essentials: Canadians such Olesya, who told me that she is going into credit card debt just to cover rent and food for her family, or Ariella, a student who wonders if she will ever be able to live independently and own a home.

Will the government commit today to adopting our Conservative economic plan to save Olesya and Ariella money by lowering debt, taxes and the cost of living for both of them?

[François-Philippe Champagne, Liberal, Minister of Finance and National Revenue]

Mr. Speaker, we will take no lessons from the Conservatives. There is no way we will take lessons from them.

Canadians know better. They know that we have been acting on the price of rent, on the price of food, and on the price of fuel. The question that people are asking today is whether, instead of using talking points, the Conservatives will do the right thing and support us to suspend the fuel tax. That is what they want to see. On this side of the House, Canadians know we have their back today and every day.

[Melissa Lantsman, Conservative, Thornhill, ON]

Mr. Speaker, again, we get all talk and no results. The minister does not need to take lessons from us, but he should take lessons from or at least listen to Olesya and Ariella.

We believe that money belongs in the hands of the people who earned it instead of in the hands of the government that continues to tax it. We have identified $150 billion in irresponsible spending here in Ottawa on things such as consultants, foreign aid and bureaucracy. That is nearly $10,000 for families such as theirs.

If the minister does not take lessons from them, will he at least listen to Canadians who are struggling out there?

[François-Philippe Champagne, Liberal, Minister of Finance and National Revenue]

Mr. Speaker, if there is one thing Canadians, and those who are watching, know, it is that we are always going to be there for them.

One question is this: Why, when it was time to vote, did the Conservatives vote against the Canada groceries and essentials benefit? Why did they vote against cutting taxes for 22 million Canadians? Why did they vote against cancelling the consumer carbon tax? Why did they vote against providing GST relief for first-time homebuyers?

At every step of the way, Conservatives voted against supporting Canadians. On this side, we know what to do, which is always to be there for Canadians.

[John Brassard, Conservative, Barrie South—Innisfil, ON]

Mr. Speaker, lower food costs and lower rent so their children do not have to live with their 80-year-old grandmother, says S from Innisfil. This is just one of thousands of responses I received over the summer about how these past 11 years of failed economic policies have impacted average Canadians who are struggling to make ends meet. However, if we ask the finance minister or one of the Prime Minister's well-connected business buddies, times have never been better, while Canadian families and businesses are struggling just to make ends meet.

Conservatives are proposing to eliminate the industrial carbon tax to help Canadians and businesses save money. Will the Liberals adopt our plan?