House of Commons Hansard #142 of the 45th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was project.
This summary is computer-generated. Usually it’s accurate, but every now and then it’ll contain inaccuracies or total fabrications.
Building Canada Strong Act Second reading of Bill C-39. The bill seeks to enhance economic competitiveness by streamlining infrastructure approvals and modernizing trade corridors. Liberals argue these changes strengthen supply chains and improve efficiency. Conversely, the Conservatives claim the proposal is all talk, no results, creating bureaucracy without delivering tangible projects. The Bloc Québécois opposes the legislation, characterizing it as an ecological betrayal that undermines environmental assessments and weakens workers' rights through expanded ministerial powers. 18900 words, 2 hours.
Criminal Code Second reading of Bill C-218. The bill, C-218, aims to indefinitely exclude patients with mental disorders from eligibility for medical assistance in dying. Conservatives argue the legislation is essential to prevent suicide and prioritize recovery, while the Bloc Québécois criticizes the exclusion as discriminatory. Liberals emphasize the legal complexity and personal nature of end-of-life decisions, while proponents urge Parliament to restore hope and care. 6900 words, 1 hour.
The Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia
The member for Niagara West will be leading us in the singing of the national anthem today.
[Members sang the national anthem]
Gord Johns NDP Courtenay—Alberni, BC
Mr. Speaker, today we honour the life and extraordinary service of respected elder Angus Campbell of the Ahousaht First Nation, who passed away on September 10 at the age of 72.
For more than 50 years, Angus served his nation as chief councillor and council member, dedicating himself to strengthening Ahousaht and improving the lives of its people. Through personal tragedy, change and challenge, he persevered with dignity and resolve. He brought wisdom, continuity and a deep commitment to his people throughout his years of leadership. Angus was also a devoted father to five children and three adopted children, and a source of love, guidance and strength to his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His legacy endures in the people he served and in the progress he helped achieve.
Klecko klecko to Angus Campbell. May he rest in peace. May his service to Ahousaht be remembered for generations to come.
Peter Schiefke Liberal Vaudreuil, QC
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to mark the 30th anniversary of an organization in the community of Vaudreuil that is particularly important to me. Since 1996, Hébergement La Passerelle has been providing confidential and anonymous support to women and children experiencing domestic violence, while working tirelessly to prevent it. The outstanding team led by Véronique Girard plays an essential role in our community, making a difference for so many families.
The safe place that La Passerelle provides for women and their children escaping conjugal violence in my community of Vaudreuil serves not only as an immediate refuge, but as a space to breathe, plan next steps and find a more permanent, safer place to call home.
On behalf of our community of Vaudreuil, I want to thank the entire team at Hébergement La Passerelle for their three decades of service. Their work is invaluable, and we are deeply grateful to them.
Anna Roberts Conservative King—Vaughan, ON
Mr. Speaker, Mario from Vaughan reached out to me about his 92-year-old father. After a lifetime of working hard, paying taxes and saving for retirement, his father is now watching every dollar just to make ends meet. His father did everything right. He worked hard to help build this country, and now in his retirement, he feels punished for it.
While seniors count every dollar, the Liberal government continues to spend billions on bureaucracies, consultants, foreign aid and corporate welfare. Canadians are out of money while the Liberal government is out of touch.
Our Conservative plan is to save Canadians money. We have identified over $150 billion in savings, nearly $10,000 per family, to lower debt, taxes and inflation. Mario and his father did their part. It is time the Liberals did the same by adopting the Conservative economic action plan.
Julie Dzerowicz Liberal Davenport, ON
Mr. Speaker, feliz día de la independencia de México.
For 216 years, Mexico has charted its own path with courage and pride, and for 82 years, Canada has stood beside it as a friend and partner. Today, as global trade shifts beneath our feet, that partnership has never mattered more. Canada is diversifying and strengthening trade with reliable partners, and Mexico is among the most important.
This year, one of the largest team Canada trade missions ever travelled to Mexico, and more than 250 Mexican businesses came to Canada to invest and grow. Together, we are building North America into the most competitive, dynamic and resilient economic region in the world. As a proud Mexican Canadian, I say to our community gracias. Their hard work, talent and spirit make Canada stronger every day.
The best chapters of our shared story are still ahead. Viva México y viva Canada.
Fraser Tolmie Conservative Moose Jaw—Lake Centre—Lanigan, SK
Mr. Speaker, I spent the summer travelling the communities of Moose Jaw, Lanigan, Watrous and Outlook and everywhere in between, listening to the people I am honoured to represent. In those conversations, I heard the same thing over and over again: Canadians are tired of watching Liberals spend on insiders and pet projects while families struggle to make ends meet.
Farmers are struggling just to break even. I am back in the House, ready to fight for the communities of Moose Jaw—Lake Centre—Lanigan. That means standing up for the agriculture sector, which feeds this country. It means demanding that the Liberals focus on what matters to Canada, and it means defending the institutions that are important to Canadians, like the iconic Snowbirds, grounded by the Liberals, who are spending on everything but our nation's priorities.
I will keep fighting for the best interests of my people and their communities and demanding better for our country.
Tatiana Auguste Liberal Terrebonne, QC
Mr. Speaker, this summer, I travelled across Terrebonne to meet with the people who are the backbone of our community. I visited businesses, discussed their issues and learned about their teams' area of expertise. I also attended a number of local events and met with organizations whose work is making a real difference in people's lives.
I dedicated a large part of my travels to the Canada summer jobs program. In Terrebonne, 477 young people were able to get a job this summer. I met young people working in various fields like history, day camps, employability, youth services, education and even animal therapy.
I want to congratulate them for their energy and commitment. I also want to thank everyone who opened their doors to me this summer and who are contributing to making Terrebonne a growing and vibrant city every day.
Tim Uppal Conservative Edmonton Gateway, AB
Mr. Speaker, at a time when Canadians are skipping meals because the cost of food has become too high, the last thing they need is a government making it even more expensive to get food from the farm to the grocery store.
Diesel prices have hit an all-time high. Canada's trucking industry is warning that higher diesel costs will mean higher prices for Canadians. The Liberals are costing Canadians even more. When diesel costs rise, so does the cost of moving food, building homes, farming, delivering goods and running businesses. These costs are passed on to Canadian families. That is why Canada has the second-highest food inflation in all of the G7.
After months of Conservative pressure, the government finally backed down and delayed its proposed gas tax hike, but that is not enough. We call on the government to remove all federal taxes on gas and diesel. Canadians need real relief to bring lower prices, not another Liberal half measure.
Sameer Zuberi Liberal Pierrefonds—Dollard, QC
Mr. Speaker, it is good to be back in the House with colleagues from across the country. We are here to build Canada strong.
This summer, I visited organizations across my riding that were supported through Canada summer jobs. Our government invested $1.4 million in Pierrefonds—Dollard. That helped create 271 youth jobs in 72 community organizations.
Many organizations, including community pools, youth centres like À-Ma-Baie, food banks like On Rock, the Cloverdale family centre and Éco-quartier, all gave young people the chance to develop their skills. When young people succeed, Canada does too.
Congratulations to all the young people who worked hard at their jobs. I wish them a great school year.
William Stevenson Conservative Yellowhead, AB
Mr. Speaker, come October, Trevor, from my hometown of Carstairs, will be out of a job. Trevor has worked for Kaytec for 26 years. He was recently given a layoff notice because this siding company is closing shop. Slow housing starts and tariffs mean that the work simply is not there, and Trevor is not alone. I am hearing from Canadians from coast to coast to coast who are worried about how they will pay their bills, put food on the table and fill up their tanks.
Our economy is struggling, our construction sector is hurting and Canadians are paying the price. The Liberals are out of touch, and after more than a decade of promises to build homes, Canadians are still facing housing shortages while builders are facing mounting Liberal red tape.
The Liberals must stop making excuses and start acting. When will the Liberals step aside, adopt our Conservative plan and give Canadians the relief they need?
National Day for Truth and ReconciliationStatements by Members
September 23rd, 2026 / 2:10 p.m.
Bloc
Marilène Gill Bloc Côte-Nord—Kawawachikamach—Nitassinan, QC
Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Bloc Québécois, I rise to mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
As we all know, reconciliation means bringing together what was divided. However, in a colonial context, that unifying bond never existed. To build that bond, we need to truly connect with one another as trusted equals. That is the key to ensuring the vitality and sustainability of this relationship.
For this trust to exist, it must be deeply rooted in the truth. It is only by learning about and acknowledging our history, as painful as it might be, that we can dispel mistrust.
Truth and reconciliation: These two words need to actually mean something. They need to lead to change and show our resolve. We cannot champion truth and reconciliation on one hand, while advancing a bill such as Bill C-39 on the other.
In closing, I hope that this day will remind us not only of our duty to indigenous people and humanity but also to life itself.
Tshinashkumitin.
Sophie Chatel Liberal Pontiac—Kitigan Zibi, QC
Mr. Speaker, our rural communities are built on strong values: helping each other, working hard and coming together when times are difficult. These values are passed down from generation to generation.
This year, we are proud to celebrate two milestones in Pontiac—Kitigan Zibi: the 150th anniversary of Otter Lake and the 175th anniversary of Litchfield.
Since the early days of their existence, these two wonderful communities have grown thanks to the families, entrepreneurs, workers and community leaders who have dedicated themselves to making our beautiful community a great place to live.
Today we are celebrating their history, but above all, we are celebrating the people who have built those communities and who continue to shape their history every single day.
Chris Lewis Conservative Essex, ON
Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of the seniors in Essex, who, after a lifetime of hard work, paying taxes and supporting both older and younger generations, are now struggling to make ends meet. One senior wrote to me, “With the rising cost of living in all aspects of our economy: food, gas, utilities, insurance, taxes, we are finding it increasingly difficult to afford even the basic items of necessity and comfort, let alone luxuries.”
Across Essex and throughout Canada, seniors are being forced to make impossible choices. They deserve better. The Liberals are out of touch while Canadians are out of money. Conservatives have a plan to bring spending under control by cutting wasteful bureaucracy and foreign aid and to deliver relief to hard-working Canadians so seniors can keep more of their hard-earned money and enjoy the retirement that they have earned.
Ryan Turnbull Liberal Whitby, ON
Mr. Speaker, as Canada faces growing uncertainty from a trade war that we did not start, our economic security and sovereignty can no longer be taken for granted. That raises a fundamental question: Who owns our economy and the businesses that comprise it?
Sovereignty is not just about what we produce. It is about who controls our businesses, where decisions are made and who benefits from the wealth we create together. That is why co-operatives matter. By putting ownership in the hands of members, workers, farmers and consumers, co-operatives keep capital and decision-making rooted in communities here at home while building resilience for the future.
This Thursday morning, which is tomorrow, I invite all members to join me for breakfast with Co-operatives and Mutuals Canada to explore how these models can strengthen our local economies. Remember that more collective ownership means a stronger, more sovereign Canada. I hope to see many of my colleagues there.
Tamara Jansen Conservative Cloverdale—Langley City, BC
Mr. Speaker, this summer, I got a letter from Harjeet. He wrote, “I've been doing two jobs for the last six years. My wife works too. Even after working that much, it is a stretch.” Think about what six years of two jobs looks like: leaving before the neighbourhood even wakes up, working all day and then heading to job number two while everyone else goes home for dinner. He gets home late. The kitchen is dark. Dinner is in the fridge because his wife has already left for her shift. Then they do it again tomorrow.
People like Harjeet are not afraid of hard work. They are exhausted from working harder and falling further behind. That is why our Conservative economic action plan will save Canadian families $10,000. We have identified $150 billion in savings by cutting Ottawa's waste, bureaucracy, consultants and corporate welfare. Harjeet has done his part while the Liberals are costing him more. Our plan will save Harjeet money; theirs will not.
Anthony Housefather Liberal Mount Royal, QC
Mr. Speaker, just days after the House rose for the summer, an evil man crossed the country seeking to kill people in Montreal. While brave police officers limited casualties, two wonderful men were killed.
Constable Mohamed Lamine Benredouane worked at one of our neighbourhood police stations. He was only 34 years old and was a devoted husband and father of a young son. He and his wife were expecting their second child. I remember him as a man who was always smiling and committed to serving the community he grew up in.
Michel Moshe Mizrahi was my neighbour in Côte Saint-Luc. He was generous to a fault. A father and grandfather, Michel was deeply loved. In the midst of the shooting, he warned others of the danger and helped them find safety.
Today, we remember two men, one Muslim and one Jewish, who, when faced with danger, thought of others. People are alive today because of them. May their courage never be forgotten and may their memories be a blessing.
Ned Kuruc Conservative Hamilton East—Stoney Creek, ON
Mr. Speaker, Todd Baylis, a Toronto police constable, was tragically shot and killed in the line of duty, and now Mr. Baylis's family has to attend multiple parole hearings for his killer. Victims' families should not be forced to relive their most traumatic moments just to keep these vile criminals behind bars where they belong.
Conservative Bill C-243 would have extended the time between parole hearings, something the Liberals promised the Toronto Police Association they would do. They broke that promise and voted down Bill C-243 last March. Even more alarming is that in January of next year, one of Canada's most vicious and disgusting criminals, Paul Bernardo, is up for parole. The victims' families should not have to relive that.
The Liberals chose the rights of criminals. Conservatives will always side with the rights of victims.
Chris Malette Liberal Bay of Quinte, ON
Mr. Speaker, my city of Belleville is hurting. The good people of my riding, Bay of Quinte, are angry, confused, hurt and looking for answers in the near tragedy that unfolded Sunday at the Sons of Jacob Synagogue, two blocks from my home.
Belleville police Constable Jeff Smith was wounded after an interaction with the gunman. My thoughts are with the Smith family and all members of the Belleville Police Service who were involved and affected by this horrific act of violence.
I wish this heroic officer, Constable Smith, a complete recovery. I want to thank my colleague, the MP for Hastings—Lennox and Addington—Tyendinaga, for our commitment to stand together to support our Jewish and broader Quinte community in this painful time.
Finally, the Jewish families across the Bay of Quinte and the members of the congregation of Sons of Jacob deserve to gather, worship and live openly without fear. There is no place for hatred or anti-Semitism in Belleville or across Canada.
Melissa Lantsman Conservative Thornhill, ON
Mr. Speaker, despite the assurances, the endless commitments and the half measures from Liberal Ottawa, Canada's affordability crisis is bad and is getting worse. The National Payroll Institute just revealed that half of employed Canadians now spend all or more of their net pay, with no savings and more debt. Meanwhile, the OECD is cutting Canada's growth forecast while raising forecasts for almost all of our G7 partners because of the uncertainty and stalled productivity.
Despite all the MOUs, the speeches and the photo ops, Canada's economy is still stuck and affordability has been forgotten by them, so when will the Liberals adopt our Conservative plan to get our country growing, moving and working again?
François-Philippe Champagne LiberalMinister of Finance and National Revenue
Mr. Speaker, we understand that affordability is top of mind for Canadians. That is why we acted on three fronts. First was with respect to affordable housing. I want to thank my colleague, the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure, for a generational plan to provide more affordable housing and more safe housing for Canadians. The second thing is that we introduced the Canada groceries and essentials benefit, helping 12 million families across the country. Lastly, we extended the suspension of the excise fuel tax, which is going to help Canadians across the country. This is how we build a strong Canada.
Melissa Lantsman Conservative Thornhill, ON
Mr. Speaker, if any of those plans worked, we would not hear story after story of struggling Canadians. The numbers are the numbers, and no amount of Liberal promises without results is going to change that.
However, it is not just about the numbers. It is about real people, and that is why one in four employed Canadians is now living paycheque to paycheque in this country. That is why I hear from people like Alan in my community, who works full-time and helps his mom with gas and groceries. There is nothing left in his bank account at the end of the month. There are so many people like him across the country.
When will the Liberals realize that there are real costs to their failed policies?
François-Philippe Champagne LiberalMinister of Finance and National Revenue
Mr. Speaker, let me talk about real people. The Canada child benefit, which the Conservatives voted against, is helping six million Canadians. The national school food program, which is helping 400,000 kids in this country, they voted against. Let me talk about the Canada disability benefit. It is helping 465,000 Canadians; they voted against. Let me talk about the Canada groceries and essentials benefit. It is helping 12 million Canadians; they voted against. Let me talk about early learning and child care. It is helping 900,000 kids in this country; they voted against. At every step of the way, when they had the choice to help Canadians, they voted against.
Sandra Cobena Conservative Newmarket—Aurora, ON
Mr. Speaker, the world is moving forward, but Canada is getting stuck. The OECD has cut Canada's growth forecast by 25%. Only Canada and France were downgraded, while the rest of the G7 went up, and Canadians feel that failure. A lady in my community lives in her car and goes to the gym only to take a shower. The Liberals are all talk and no results.
The Liberal government announces with urgency but delivers at a crawl. When will the Liberals adopt our Conservative economic action plan so Canadians can afford to live again?
François-Philippe Champagne LiberalMinister of Finance and National Revenue
Mr. Speaker, it is shocking to be sitting in the House and hearing the Conservatives talking the economy down at a time when Canadians are united to fight for Canada and to build support in this country.
Canada will have the second-fastest growth in the G7 in 2027. We have created more than 200,000 jobs in the last year. We have the lowest net debt to GDP in the G7 and one of the lowest deficits to GDP in the G7. We are building Canada strong. I hope the Conservatives get it, because Canadians are behind us, and we are going to build with them.
Sandra Cobena Conservative Newmarket—Aurora, ON
Mr. Speaker, the reality is that the Liberals are driving the economy down. The Prime Minister himself said that we are in a trade war, but the projects we need to fight it are years, if not decades, away. The port of Churchill has no firm completion date. Gull Island hydro is 2037. Major LNG projects are into the 2030s. The Vancouver port expansion is years away. We cannot fight a trade war with business-as-usual timelines.
The Liberal government is all talk and no results. When will it stop the announcements and start delivering?