Budget Implementation Act, 2021, No. 1  Madam Speaker, unlike BIAs in any other crisis we have had in Canadian history, this budget implementation act basically gives a free ride to the ultrarich. Canada's billionaires have increased their wealth by over $78 billion, yet there is no wealth tax, there is no pandemic profits tax and the luxury tax is purely symbolic, bringing in less than one cent on the dollar of what the PBO has said a wealth tax would provide for.

Canada Revenue Agency  Mr. Speaker, that was no answer at all. Here is yet another case of the Liberal free ride for the ultrarich. We learned last weekend that billions of dollars in public funds through the wage subsidy that should have gone to protecting jobs and workers, instead went to dividend payments, stock buybacks and big executive bonuses.

Budget Implementation Act, 2021, No. 1  Mr. Speaker, I say again in appreciation this morning that I am speaking from the traditional territory of the QayQayt First Nation and the Coast Salish Peoples. Yesterday, I mentioned that this pandemic had been a tale of two countries: one is a country where billionaires have seen their wealth increase by $78 billion and where banks received $750 billion in liquidity supports, and the other is a country where people are struggling.

Budget Implementation Act, 2021, No. 1  Madam Speaker, my colleague is a student of history. He knows that during the Second World War, the last big crisis this country lived through, we put in place an excess profits tax, which led to the unparalleled growth that came after we had vanquished Nazism and fascism. Today, we see a government that is absolutely refusing to put in place a pandemic profits tax or wealth tax, despite the fact that Canada's billionaires have increased their wealth by over $78 billion during this pandemic.

Committees of the House  Madam Speaker, today I am speaking from the traditional unceded territory of the Qayqayt first nation and the Salish peoples. I want to start by sharing with all members of Parliament and all Canadians our deep appreciation for the frontline workers, for the first responders and for health care workers, who have been carrying us with such courage and bravery through this pandemic.

The Budget  Madam Speaker, my colleague is a fellow British Columbian, so he knows very well that my constituents in New Westminster—Burnaby are hard working. They are running small businesses. Families, people with disabilities, seniors and students are all struggling through this pandemic and we have now hit this tragic third wave, which is the worst yet in the pandemic.

Taxation  Mr. Speaker, the government has encouraged unbelievable profiteering during this pandemic. Canada's billionaire's have increased their wealth by over $78 billion, yet the government refuses to follow the lead of other countries and put in place a wealth tax. Now the parliamentary budget officer has released new figures on how much a pandemic profits tax would bring.

The Budget  Madam Speaker, I would like to say, in appreciation, that I am speaking to the House today virtually from the traditional territory of the Qayqayt first nation and the Coast Salish peoples. I am honoured to share my time with the terrific member of Parliament for London—Fanshawe.

Port of Montreal Operations Act, 2021  Mr. Speaker, the member, I gather, is trying to talk about the community investment programs that have been put in place by the B.C. NDP government. I absolutely support them. The idea is that we make sure that the people who bid on these programs are from unions that have a solid building trade background and are highly qualified, with Red Seal certification.

Finance committee  Mr. Chair, we had this discussion at the last committee meeting. Members are free to expand beyond COVID. This line of questioning is completely relevant. It's not one that I would take, but it's completely relevant for another member.

Budget  Mr. Speaker, here are some numbers from the past year: $78 billion in increased wealth for Canada's billionaires; $42 billion in bank profits during a pandemic; $25 billion in tax dollars going to overseas tax havens. Here are some numbers from budget 2021: zero dollars raised from a wealth tax; zero dollars raised from a pandemic profits tax; zero dollars recouped now from overseas tax havens.

The Budget  Mr. Speaker, I want to acknowledge the historic speech that the Minister of Finance just made. I congratulate her on that. It has been a long wait for a budget, as members know. Canadians have been hit hard by the pandemic, and front-line workers, who are looking for measures and a functioning paid sick leave program, are going to come away profoundly disappointed by this budget.

Finance committee  I agree with my colleague Tamara Jansen. Personally, I agree that there should be no limitations on trade. When we have good agreements and the people involved are equals, I am in favour of free trade. However, as I see it, this is about the provinces, and they can negotiate amongst themselves.

Finance committee  That witnesses for the expanded Covid-19 expenses study be provided to the Clerk before 5h00 pm on Thursday April 8, 2021; That's next week. 3. That the committee set aside time to debate the motions of Peter Julian (tax evasion) and Julie Dzerowicz (interprovincial trade barriers); That just goes to show that we couldn't come to an agreement on the subcommittee. 4. That the committee not meet during the week of April 5-9, 2021; That's next week.

Finance committee  Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'm intrigued by this amendment and will be listening very carefully to the discussion through the course of the committee. My concern all along, Mr. Chair, as you well know, has been that there's been no provision for the revenue side when we're talking about expanding the debt ceiling.