Randy Boissonnault

[Finance, March 29th, 2023]

Mr. Speaker, during these difficult times around the world, the budget tells Canadians they can continue to count on the government being at their side.

We will meet the challenge posed today and in the future by introducing a new grocery rebate that will benefit 11 million Canadians. We will increase payments for the health system.

We will invest in the future of our economy. We will lay the cornerstone for a strong economy and a strong future. It is our duty, and we will do it for and with Canadians.

[Natural Resources, March 29th, 2023]

Mr. Speaker, Conservatives can lack ambition for this country, but the Liberals know that we have a golden opportunity to build the economy for the future, to have hundreds of thousands of jobs in hydrogen, clean tech and green tech to feed and fuel the world. That is why our budget puts in the building blocks for the economy of the future, puts a marker down to help Canadians struggling with inflation and reinforces our health care system for the next 10 years.

The Conservatives do not like it. Canadians asked us to do it and that is our job. We are going to continue to deliver for Canadians.

[The Economy, March 29th, 2023]

Mr. Speaker, we are going to take no lessons from a Leader of the Opposition who tells Canadians to hedge on inflation by putting money into crypto.

Let us look at fiscal responsibility. Canada will have the lowest deficit and the lowest net debt-to-GDP ratio in the G7. The deficit is projected to decline every year. Public debt charges, as a share of the economy, will remain historically low. We have the strongest economic growth in the G7, with 830,000 jobs created since the beginning of the pandemic, and a record 85.7% participation of Canadian women in the labour force.

The future is bright for Canada, and this budget delivers that future.

[The Economy, March 29th, 2023]

Mr. Speaker, during a challenging time in the world, this budget will ensure that Canadians can continue to count on their government being there for them. We are meeting the challenges of today and tomorrow by introducing a new grocery rebate that will deliver targeted support to 11 million Canadians, lowering credit card transaction fees for small businesses, increasing investments in our public health care system, making transformative investments in our economy.

This is a budget of hope and ambition. We are putting in place the building blocks today so that we can realize today's dreams tomorrow.

[Taxation, March 28th, 2023]

Mr. Speaker, perhaps an apt question is whether the Conservatives will ever vote for a measure that we put on the table that reduces taxes, because their record speaks for itself. On tax cuts for working Canadians, how did the Conservatives three times? Against. On reducing home buyer taxes, how did the Conservatives vote? Against. On a federal minimum wage, what did the Conservatives do? They voted against. On eliminating interest on student loans, how did the opposition vote? Against.

Whatever plans we put in place to reduce taxes, the Conservatives vote against them. We are here to deliver for Canadians.

[Taxation, March 28th, 2023]

Mr. Speaker, I thank my hon. colleague for the work she does on behalf of the tourism sector in her area.

As Minister of Tourism, I understand the value that the spirits, beer and wine producers in our country offer, not just to their local communities but to the visitor economy. We have removed the excise tax from low-alcohol beer. We will continue to keep the escalator in place, which is less than one cent per can of beer, and we will continue to see growth in the sector.

[Climate Change, March 28th, 2023]

Mr. Speaker, let us be clear. Our government has focused on the environment, and more than $120 billion has been invested in the environment by our administration.

Once the TMX project is completed, we will undertake a process seeking to have a consortium acquire this asset. Canadians will get fair value for the asset.

[Climate Change, March 28th, 2023]

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for her question.

We have put in place the necessary measures to stabilize the TMX project, ensure that Canada gets fair market value for these resources that we included in the budget, and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. The fact is that 12,700 jobs were created in Alberta and British Columbia. BMO Capital Markets and TD Securities have confirmed that the TMX project would be commercially viable. We will ensure that we get a fair share for Canadians by completing this project.

[Finance, March 28th, 2023]

Mr. Speaker, in just two hours, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance will announce all the measures in budget 2023.

Afterward, we will hear from the members across the way. I think it will be a canned speech with their usual slogans.

Today, in this chamber, what we will not hear is the Conservatives talking about plans to grow our economy, to fight climate change and to improve infrastructure.

We have a plan. We are going to deliver for Canadians. The Conservatives will vote against.

[Public Services and Procurement, March 28th, 2023]

Mr. Speaker, it is wonderful to see how excited our colleagues are for today's budget. In two hours, they will know everything that is in our budget.

I will make a prediction. I predict that regardless of what measures are set out in the budget to support Canadians, build the economy or green the economy, the Conservatives, the opposition party, will vote against them.

We are here for Canadians. They are against them. It is our duty to meet our commitments.