Mr. Speaker, the national security council convened its first meeting in October 2023 and has usually been meeting monthly while Parliament is sitting.
House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2025, with 59% of the vote.
Questions on the Order Paper December 6th, 2024
Mr. Speaker, the national security council convened its first meeting in October 2023 and has usually been meeting monthly while Parliament is sitting.
Taxation December 5th, 2024
Madam Speaker, thanks to the measures we recently announced, Canadians will be able to concentrate more on celebrating the festive season with family and friends and to start the new year with a little more money in their pockets. Canadians can continue to count on the government to make life more affordable in this country on an ongoing basis.
As Canadians, we have so much to be thankful for. Canadians work hard and they deserve to celebrate their achievements. That is what the new holiday-season support is all about.
Taxation December 5th, 2024
Madam Speaker, I am pleased to take part in today's debate and discuss the measures the government is taking to make life more affordable in Canada, especially as the holiday season approaches.
Inflation is way down and has been back within the Bank of Canada's target rate for 10 months in a row. Wage growth has now outpaced inflation for 21 consecutive months. Earlier this summer, the Bank of Canada lowered interest rates for the first time, making Canada the first G7 country to do so. It has since lowered interest rates three more times.
Although inflation and interest rates are falling, we know that Canadians are not yet feeling the effects on their household budgets. This is particularly true during the festive season. That is why, starting December 14, the government wants to give a tax break to Canadians, which the Conservatives oppose. The temporary two-month GST/HST exemption for select expenses means Canadians would be able to buy items like prepared food, snacks, children's clothing and toys, all tax free.
This means that a family spending $2,000 on qualifying goods during the relief period between December 14, 2024, and February 15, 2025, would realize GST savings of $100. This tax break would last until February 15. This would deliver meaningful savings for Canadians by making essentially all food GST/HST free and providing real relief at the cash register.
Innovation, Science and Industry December 5th, 2024
Madam Speaker, I want to be clear: The government has zero tolerance for the misappropriation of public funds. The member opposite's accusation that the government has funnelled taxpayer money and is obstructing justice is completely false.
The Auditor General was clear in her findings and highlighted several areas where SDTC's governance and rules were not followed. This and the other reviews conducted by the department signalled that there were weaknesses in SDTC governance and delivery, and the government took clear and decisive action.
The government fully supports Canada's clean technology industry and appreciates the important role these companies are playing in shaping Canada's economic future. The steps we have taken will ensure that these companies can continue to succeed while simultaneously ensuring the proper stewardship of public funds.
Innovation, Science and Industry December 5th, 2024
Madam Speaker, I thank my hon. colleague, whom I respect greatly. I am happy to respond to his comments regarding Sustainable Development Technology Canada, or SDTC.
The government remains committed to providing the documents sought in the House of Commons motion from June 10. In fact, the government has already submitted thousands of pages of records to the law clerk for onward distribution to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, or the RCMP. I suspect the member opposite knows this, but the Conservatives would rather filibuster their own motion and hold up the important business of the House than move forward with the important work of helping Canadians. Quite simply, to say that the government is intentionally withholding documentation is a serious accusation, and it is simply false.
The government has been very forthcoming since the allegations against SDTC first came to light in early 2023. In fact, as soon as the allegations were made, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry took immediate action to investigate and undertake proper due diligence to understand the facts and get to the bottom of the issue at hand. As part of that process, the government worked diligently to respond to the findings of multiple independent reviews of SDTC, including third party audits, committee studies and a report from the Office of the Auditor General.
I would like to remind the member opposite that SDTC was created by Parliament as an arm's-length organization. This model allowed for oversight but emphasized that the work of identifying clean tech projects would lie with those within the independent organization with the appropriate expertise. To claim that the government was directly involved in SDTC is inaccurate; not only that, but it runs contrary to the arm's-length mandate that existed with SDTC.
That being said, at the conclusion of the various reviews and audits, it became apparent that the arm's-length nature of SDTC was no longer working and necessitated change. That is why we announced a new delivery approach for SDTC programming to enhance due diligence.
It is the prerogative of the RCMP to undertake an investigation, and no one in this room is privy to its nature. The government is prepared to offer its full co-operation with the RCMP if and when required. At the same time, we listened to the RCMP when it confirmed that handing over documents to the House to be transferred to the RCMP could jeopardize any ongoing investigations. That, I think, gives us all pause for thought.
Instead of continuing to hold this place hostage with a Conservative filibuster, we should let the RCMP investigation continue, free of political interference and involvement, while also referring this matter to committee as directed by the Speaker.
Carbon Pricing December 5th, 2024
Madam Speaker, my answer is an unqualified yes, and we are getting good value from the measures that we are introducing to combat climate change.
As I mentioned earlier, the Parliamentary Budget Officer has confirmed that carbon pricing does not contribute to inflation. We know that the impacts of climate change are something in the order of $25 billion a year. They are impacting our farmers. They are impacting people in cities and in rural Canada alike. I was very happy to hear the hon. member say that climate change is real. I think he is one of the few members from his party across the aisle whom I have heard say that.
Carbon Pricing December 5th, 2024
Madam Speaker, I am responding to the question the member asked in the House not long ago. I would just remind him that in recent years, climate change has had unprecedented effects on Canadians. Impacts from climate change are wide-ranging, affecting our homes, the cost of living, infrastructure, health and safety, and economic activity in communities across Canada.
Released yesterday, “Canada's Food Price Report 2025” states that extreme weather and climate change pose significant challenges to the cost of food, something I know the hon. member is very interested in as someone from an agricultural community. The science is clear: We must continue taking ambitious actions to combat climate change before it is too late. This includes using all of the tools in our tool box, including putting a price on pollution.
Despite what the Conservatives may think, the Bank of Canada has confirmed that carbon pricing contributes less than 1% to inflation. In fact the impact of carbon pricing on inflation is just 0.15%. Our government's plan to combat climate change is working. For the first time in Canadian history, we are on track to meet a climate goal, in 2026.
We are focused on building a stronger economy, combatting climate change and making life more affordable; that is exactly what putting a price on pollution does. The Parliamentary Budget Officer has confirmed multiple times that the vast majority of Canadians are better off with the Canada carbon rebate. A family of four in the riding of Dauphin—Swan River—Neepawa, a very beautiful part of my home province, the member's home province of Manitoba, with the Canada carbon rebate, will receive $1,200 a year. That is not all; in rural communities, residents will receive an additional 20% top-up.
We remain focused on the bigger picture: protecting Canadians from the devastating impacts of climate change and ensuring a prosperous future for generations to come.
I know that the hon. member is a strong environmental advocate. I would like to hear him and his party, for once, talk about climate change, the opportunities it has for our economy and the impacts it is having on agriculture and on people's lives from coast to coast to coast.
Questions on the Order Paper November 19th, 2024
Mr. Speaker, the individual named in the Order Paper question has not been appointed to any Government of Canada roles since October 2007, when he was appointed as Governor of the Bank of Canada by the Hon. Jim Flaherty, the then minister of finance.
Public Safety November 7th, 2024
Mr. Speaker, as the member of Parliament for Winnipeg South, I am proud to represent a large and growing Indo-Canadian community where Sikh and Hindu families live side by side in harmony as neighbours. Unfortunately, there are those who seek to promote extreme views, create division and sow discord.
Let me be clear, there should never be disruptive protests at places of worship, like we saw recently in Brampton and Vancouver. The defacing of Hindu temples, as we have regrettably seen at the BAPS mandirs in Toronto and Edmonton, is absolutely unacceptable. As well, inflammatory statements and incidents of grave violence targeting Sikh Canadians have no place in our country. Acts of hate and the creation of disharmony do not reflect the Canada we know and love, which is a multicultural mosaic that is the envy of the world.
In Winnipeg South and beyond, let us work hard to foster unity, keep community members safe, live together in peace and build a better Canada for all.
Questions on the Order Paper November 6th, 2024
Mr. Speaker, Mark Carney has not been appointed to a position in the federal public administration and consequently is not a public office holder, as defined by the Conflict of Interest Act.