Leah Taylor Roy

[Government Business No. 43—Proceedings on Bill C‑78, November 28th, 2024]

Madam Speaker, today, as always, I am pleased to rise to speak on behalf of the constituents of Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill, especially since I am speaking on the positive measures that our government is implementing to support small businesses and restaurants, including the proposed removal of the taxes, GST and HST in some provinces, from groceries and other holiday items.

I would just note that many provinces, such as Ontario, and Newfoundland and Labrador, have already agreed that they will be removing their provincial part of the HST. They see the benefit of this through their leadership, even though the Leader of the Opposition cannot see the benefit.

Now, I understand the holiday period is one of the most critical times for small businesses. They are making a significant proportion of their annual sales, helping them to achieve their annual goals. We had small businesses, and I know that the holiday season made a huge difference. Consumer spending and encouraging people to come out and buy things is very important to these small businesses.

Thanks to our government's efforts, I am glad to report that Canadians from across the country will receive a tax break from December 14 to February 15, helping both consumers and businesses. This will make a meaningful difference for Canadians by making all food, as well as other holiday provisions and children's clothing and toys tax-free, providing real relief at the cash register. Importantly, it will also contribute to improved sales and greater revenues for businesses and restaurants from mid-December through to mid-February, as I have said.

Many small business stakeholder groups have expressed appreciation and support for this. For example, Restaurants Canada has said, “This is a big win for the restaurant industry...restores some much-needed hope to our industry and we are optimistic it will translate to increased spending at local restaurants across the country.” Ultimately, this could mean a boost of up to 5% or close to $1 billion in additional revenue. That is significant.

The Retail Council of Canada also welcomed the sales tax relief announced from the government, stating, “The removal of GST and HST on a sizable list of goods will create major tax savings for Canadians, along with economic stimulus for our industry.” Notably, they also reported that this stimulus will support businesses both through the holiday season and in the first six weeks of the new year, which is typically the slowest period of the year for retail and restaurants.

We expect the tax break will help restaurants and other small businesses across the country. I am glad that we can offer this support through the holiday season. I encourage Canadians to take advantage of the opportunity for savings and to shop local as they purchase gifts for friends and loved ones, and to patronize local restaurants if they are planning a holiday outing.

I also want to speak to many other initiatives our government is delivering to support small businesses. We will always support hard-working entrepreneurs who contribute significantly to their communities, support good jobs and enable economic growth. Our small and medium-sized businesses are the bedrock of our communities, and it is essential they thrive.

From digital transformation to greening our economy while creating well-paying jobs, our government has an economic plan that will ensure businesses across the country continue to grow and thrive. That is why we are delivering $2.5 billion to close to 600,000 small and medium-sized enterprises by the end of the year through the Canada carbon rebate. In fact, the rebate checks have gone out earlier than anticipated and started to be sent out this past week.

Reports say that 60% of small businesses are directly impacted by climate change. From floods and droughts to closures and employee absences caused by extreme weather events and illnesses, small businesses are feeling the impact of climate change. We are going to continue fighting it while putting money back into the pockets of Canadians and small businesses.

I am also pleased to report that we have negotiated agreements with both Visa and Mastercard to reduce their interchange fees by up to 27% or $1 billion over five years. This means that small businesses, like the businesses in my riding, will be able to keep more of their revenue and be able to invest in their operations, creating jobs and strengthening our overall economy. This will make a meaningful impact for these businesses, improving their bottom line. These are in addition to and build on our government's work to alleviate the global economic pressures that businesses have been facing, pressures such as inflation, interest rates hikes and worker shortages.

Then, to help Canadian businesses thrive even more, we have invested in them through the Canada summer jobs program, which we are doing again this year, and, in fact, that has just opened. There is also the My Main Street program. One of the first things that this government did to support small businesses was to lower the small business tax rate from 11% to 9%. We cut taxes. This was done in recognition of the vital role small businesses play in our economy and our communities.

In 2024, estimates are that small and medium-sized enterprises will save $6.2 billion because of this decrease made to the preferred small business tax rate bias. To encourage Canadian innovators to turn their ideas into businesses, we announced the creation of the Canadian entrepreneurs' incentive that would reduce the inclusion rate on capital gains to one-third on a lifetime maximum of $2 million in eligible capital gains. Combined with the increased $1.25-million lifetime capital gains exemption, the entrepreneurs' incentive would make eligible business owners better off when selling business shares worth up to $6.25 million.

The government's 2024 budget devoted $200 million to renewing the venture capital catalyst initiative, or VCCI, with a goal of supporting venture capital for entrepreneurs who are part of equity-deserving groups and investing in underserved communities as well as in entrepreneurs who live outside key metropolitan areas. This investment builds on the previous $821 million the government has already invested in VCCI, as well as the multiples of that amount that came in through private capital attracted by these investments and supportive of innovative Canadian businesses.

Study after study show us that increasing diversity in business ownership responds to market needs, strengthens economic resilience and boosts the bottom line. We also know it is the best way to support economic growth, so we have created a suite of initiatives to ensure that all business owners have access to the capital they need to start or grow their businesses. We have given young people the option to choose entrepreneurship as a viable career path. That is why we invested $60 million in Futurpreneur Canada to help the organization increase its capacity to support young Canadian entrepreneurs. These investments will support shared prosperity long into the future. We are boosting government procurement in small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as supporting indigenous enterprises. We understand that the best products and ideas often originate here in Canada and we want to ensure entrepreneurs are equipped with the tools they need to bring their ideas to fruition.

I am confident that these combined measures will continue to make a real, tangible difference for all businesses from coast to coast to coast. In summary, this government has made unprecedented investments to support Canada's small business community, from important tax relief to a range of incentives to support business owners and entrepreneurs, to the extensive COVID support measures through the pandemic period. No other government has done so much for small businesses.

In closing, I urge all members of Parliament to vote for the legislation before them, quickly and unanimously, to ensure business owners and consumers can receive the benefits of these tax breaks and have more money and less stress during the holiday season. I ask members to not be a grinch, even if their leader is. I ask them to think of all the Whos in Whoville or perhaps all the constituents in their own riding and give them a well-deserved break this holiday season.

[Government Business No. 43—Proceedings on Bill C‑78, November 28th, 2024]

Madam Speaker, I notice that the opposition members are calling this a gimmick, a fraud and a trick. They cannot call it what it is, which is a tax cut. If the Conservatives called it a tax cut, they would have to vote for it because they have been asking for a tax cut. We are giving them this. The only gimmicky thing here is what the Conservatives have been doing for the last while in the House by blocking any progress.

In response to calling this a fraud, I would note that Restaurants Canada has said it is a big win for the restaurant industry: “[It] restores some much-needed hope to our industry and we are optimistic it will translate to increased spending at local restaurants across the country.”

Could the minister please comment on why the timing of this tax break is so important for restaurants?

[Privilege, November 28th, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, I do agree with one thing the member opposite says: They do know how to act. They act constantly when they say those slogans and put them out there.

I would like to understand this: The member was talking about NSICOP, but I believe the motion being debated in the House is actually regarding the SDTC. I am wondering if the member opposite is confused. On the documents that the Conservatives are asking to be released, both the Auditor General and the RCMP have asked us not to release those, and the Speaker ruled that this should go to PROC to be discussed. I understand that the Conservative leader has said that he would use the notwithstanding clause in order to override Canadians' rights and freedoms. However, we are worried about Canadians' rights and freedoms, and we want to make sure we are doing this correctly.

Could the member opposite address why he feels that it is okay to override Canadians' rights and freedoms and to not be careful that we protect those essential rights?

[Gender-Based Violence, November 25th, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, today is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and the first day of the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence.

Violence against women is one of the most prevalent and pervasive human rights violations in the world and disproportionately impacts women from minority groups. I am proud of our government's work to fight gender-based violence at home and abroad, which includes the 10-year action plan to end gender-based violence here in Canada, the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and standing up for women internationally, as with the zan, zendegi, azadi movement in Iran and the women of Afghanistan.

Our government has supported women's groups across Canada, including the York Region Women's Foundation in my riding. On this side, we support frontline organizations that protect women and educate young people, including young men, about the need to have healthy relationships. These are all programs that Conservatives cut under Harper and will cut again if they get the chance.

Violence against women is not only a women's issue; it is a societal issue that we should all come together and act now to end. Let us eliminate gender-based violence, not the programs that fight against it.

[Housing, November 21st, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, tomorrow is National Housing Day. The City of Richmond Hill in my great riding of Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill received a $31-million investment through the housing accelerator fund. I advocated for this as the city's MP because it had presented an ambitious housing plan backed by a solid record.

Mayor David West calls this funding essential to removing barriers and empowering builders to create the housing Richmond Hill needs. The Leader of the Opposition now says he would cut this vital program as part of his so-called housing plan, a plan that benefits those who could already afford to buy a home and the developers building new homes. It provides no support to municipalities to ensure builders can and will build the homes that are needed.

He has even barred his MPs from advocating for housing funds for their ridings. This is reprehensible. Our most important role as MPs is to represent our constituents and to advocate for them, but Conservative MPs are being muzzled and told not to do this.

Tomorrow, on National Housing Day, I exhort all Conservative MPs to stand up to their leader, advocate for their ridings and help their municipalities get the support they need to provide the housing their constituents need.

[Community Engagement in Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill, November 6th, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, it is a pleasure to rise as the elected representative of the people of Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill.

This weekend, once again, I saw the great work being done within my riding by community organizations and individuals. I had the pleasure of participating in Yellow Brick House's 2024 Break the Silence, Step In My Shoes Walk. Together, we raised an incredible $77,000 to support women and children fleeing domestic violence. The vital funding will provide shelter and life-saving services to those in need. I give a special thank you to Lorris Herenda, the president and CEO of the organization. As we recognize November as Woman Abuse Prevention Month, I encourage everyone to continue supporting organizations such as Yellow Brick House.

On a different front, there was the retirement of a wonderful firefighter, Brad Humfryes. After decades of courageous service to our community, he has retired. His bravery and selfless commitment to our community has made a lasting mark. He and his wife, Sandra, have provided so much to our community in other ways. We wish him a well-deserved and fulfilling retirement.

[Committees of the House, November 5th, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, I would agree with the member that it is rather odd that Conservatives are actually fighting against their own motion at this point. We are in agreement with the recommendation that was put forward by the Speaker. We are ready to send the documents, the issue, to PROC to be considered. There are a lot of considerations with what has been asked, and the RCMP and the Auditor General have expressed their concern about handing the documents over to them.

We are ready. We do not understand why the NDP will not align with us and let the issue go to PROC, where it should be considered, as has been recommended by the Speaker of the House, and move on to the really important issues we need to be considering here.

[Committees of the House, November 5th, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, I very much enjoy working with my colleague across the way on committee, and I know that he is a great advocate for the environment.

I would say that we need to do both, and we are doing both. The reality is that the need for oil and gas is not going to disappear overnight, and the need to fight climate change and to fight pollution is urgent. Therefore we have to do everything we can. Helping oil and gas companies reduce emissions and methane; putting a cap on pollution, which we are doing; and continuing to make sure that we are doing everything we can in Canada to bring emissions down are incredibly important. At the same time, we are investing in infrastructure. We have a green infrastructure fund. We have put a lot of money into trying to help communities.

Could we do more of both? We would love to, but we know that there are fiscal realities and we are trying to stay within the guidelines to keep our economy on track.

[Committees of the House, November 5th, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, it was great to see my hon. colleague at the event. However, it is interesting, because I do not believe that victims actually spoke about that at all. I spoke to many victims and to the executive director, Lorris Herenda, who does an amazing job.

It is true that people are getting released, but when I spoke to York Regional Police members who were there, they told me that the problem is actually that there are not enough Crown attorneys, that there are not enough detention spaces for people and that criminals are being released not because of any legislation that is in place. In fact they supported the bail reform we put in place.

What the Conservatives are trying to do is blame our government, say that it is our fault, when we are supporting women with the first national action plan to combat gender-based violence, which the current government put in place, and with stronger bail reform laws that not only the police but also women's organizations support. Stop the misinformation, please.

[Committees of the House, November 5th, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate that. I just want to reiterate that I was not making a personal attack; I was stating a fact that should be of concern to Canadians, which is that the member, the Leader of the Opposition, has failed to get security clearance. This means that they are not apprised of what is happening within their own party. If it sounded like a personal attack, perhaps the member should be talking to their leader about what he is doing.

I will go on to what I was talking about, which is that the Conservative Party does understand and I hope they believe, otherwise ignorance is bliss, that global inflation was not caused by the price on pollution program. It was caused by the COVID pandemic, supply chain problems, conflicts and the post-COVID economy. It was global.

As I said earlier, before I was interrupted, although I would hope all countries around the world would have some kind of price on pollution program to join us, only 40 countries around the world do. Therefore the global inflation experienced in other countries, which was many times greater than the inflation we experienced, could not have been caused by a price on pollution program. Nevertheless, the Conservatives sit here and use as proof that it was caused by us the fact that Canada had high inflation at the same time as it had a price on pollution program.

I would really appreciate some more attention being paid to facts. I know that slogans are easy and catchy, but they are not reality. We have to look at something even worse that is happening. The Conservatives have put forward the misinformation that not only was inflation caused by a price on pollution but also that all of the issues will be automatically solved, including inflation and high interest rates.

Inflation and interest rates are coming down only because of the concerted efforts our government has made. It has nothing to do with the price on pollution, which continues. In fact the price on pollution increased at the same time as interest rates and inflation fell. If high interest rates and inflation are caused by the price on pollution, I would like the Conservatives to explain how it works in the inverse.

There is no science, math, or proof behind what the Conservatives are saying. When they say that everything will be solved by their simple slogan of axing the tax, they are misleading and deceiving Canadians. In fact, we know that eight out of 10 households in Canada on a current basis, cash in, cash out per month, get more back than they pay. The only households that do not are those of the wealthier, who can pay more and are actually consuming more fossil fuels because they have bigger homes, more cars and perhaps a cottage or a boat. Those people can pay more and should be paying more because they are doing more damage to our environment.

The other argument is that the price on pollution has done no good. That is not true. Emissions are down 8% from the 2015 level. When our government took over in 2015, the projection for what the emissions would be in 2030 was twice as high as they are now.

What if there had been a government like the current Conservative Party in office, continuing inaction on climate change, muzzling scientists, not letting people talk to the press about what was happening and clearly preferring to let the oil and gas industry run rampant? That is just what the Conservative Party is doing, with its leader meeting with oil and gas executives behind closed doors to take maximum contributions for its fundraising efforts. This kind of behaviour shows that Conservatives are not really concerned with what concerns most Canadians, which is pollution and the future of our planet. Our young people need us to stand up for them.

The oil and gas industry contributes more than 30% of emissions in this country, pollution, and less than 6% to our GDP. It is also mostly foreign-owned. Why is the Conservative Party continuing to support it and put it ahead of Canadians?

The other thing going on right now is the filibuster. I understand to some extent why the Conservatives are doing it: They want to have an election right now. They know that the further they go and the longer they speak, the less popular their leader becomes. People see what he is really about, what he is saying and doing and what the party is doing; therefore they want to have an election and do not want it to go any longer.

Ignorance is bliss, but if people begin to wake up and start to understand that what the Conservatives are saying is not true, they may actually realize that the best bet for the future of this country is a continuation of our government, which is what we all need. What really confuses me is the NDP and the shadow minister for the environment, the member for Victoria. Why is she supporting this?

We agree that there is an important piece of legislation, Bill C-73, the nature accountability act, which needs to move forward. It is the proposed sister act to our Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act. We need it to move forward as well, yet NDP members are persisting in supporting the opposition in the filibuster, which is keeping us from doing the real work that Canadians need us to do.

I would just say that we need to move on. The filibuster needs to stop. There is real work to do, and continuously repeating empty slogans and blocking the work of this place will not get us there. We on this side continue to work for Canadians, ensuring that we are ready to move forward with important legislation when the filibuster ends. We are always going to put Canadians first.