Angelo Iacono

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the hon. member for being such a strong advocate for jobs in his riding and for the city of Mississauga. Could the member share with the House which sectors he believes hold the greatest opportunities for trade diversification and for expanding Canada's trade in the years ahead?

Mr. Speaker, building Canada strong means taking concrete action to put a roof over everyone's head. That is why we are investing more than $6 million to support the construction of not six, but 31 housing units as part of the Habitation Palerme project in my riding of Alfred‑Pelland. We have listened and we are taking action to build more homes and build them faster. Seniors, families, people living alone and vulnerable people deserve safe and affordable housing that is close to essential services. This project is part of the rapid housing initiative, a federal program that is accelerating the construction of affordable housing to meet the most urgent needs. These investments will provide stability, dignity and hope for dozens of households. That is how we are building for the future.

Mr. Speaker, this Black History Month, I want to pay tribute to the people who make my community of Alfred‑Pellan shine. I want to thank Kardie Rosier, director of the Coumbite de Laval community centre, an organization that carries out essential work and is a true pillar of community support. I commend Ms. Rosier for her ongoing commitment to families and young people. I also want to acknowledge the involvement of Pastor Emmanuel Laurent and Father Claudel Petit-Homme, whose work helps reinforce social bonds and community wellness. I want to commend the invaluable contributions of Father Ronald Legerme and Marie Tessa Pierre, who provide help and support to those in need through their initiatives and dedication. I must not forget the outstanding commitment of Robert Alexandre, the most loyal friend and volunteer I could wish for. His perseverance and dedication are making a real difference in Alfred‑Pellan. I want to thank all these people for their commitment. What a perfect reflection of Canada's multicultural mosaic.

Mr. Speaker, since more than 500,000 Canadians depend directly on the auto industry and our workers are facing unjustified tariffs from the United States as well as global changes that happen quickly, can my colleague explain how the government's auto strategy protects Canadian workers, attracts investment and strengthens our industry's resilience in the face of tariffs and global changes?

Mr. Speaker, with the global auto industry rapidly shifting toward electrification and clean technologies, can my colleague explain how the government's automotive strategy—including incentives for Canadian production, tax measures to attract investment, the development of the battery and critical minerals supply chain, and support for EVs adoption and charging infrastructure—is going to strengthen Canada's competitiveness, secure well-paying jobs and position our country as a global leader in the automotive industry of tomorrow?

Mr. Speaker, I can see that my colleague is blaming our government for the fact that EVs in Canada are a complete failure. I am curious to know how my colleague can claim to stand up for auto workers while rejecting a strategy that incentivizes production in Canada, protects jobs during the transition and reduces our dependence on a single export market. Canada is going to become a country that will concentrate significantly on EVs. Why does my colleague say that this is a failure?

Mr. Speaker, my Conservative colleague claims to defend Canadians' choice to drive whatever car they want, so why is he against a strategy that makes EVs more affordable, protects Canadian jobs and gives consumers the freedom to pick their own car?

Madam Speaker, I will be sharing my time with the member for Madawaska—Restigouche. I am pleased to speak today in support of Bill C-19, an important measure that aims to provide Canadians with a tangible way to cope with the cost of living, particularly the cost of groceries and essentials. This bill will amend the Income Tax Act to increase the maximum annual amounts of the GST credit by 50% for the 2025-26 benefit year. It also provides for an additional 25% increase in these amounts starting in the 2025-26 benefit year, for a period of five years. The need for the new Canada groceries and essentials benefit is simple and clear. It will help more than 12 million Canadians afford everyday essentials, starting in the spring of 2026. We know that lower-income Canadians are struggling to absorb the rising cost of food and other basic expenses. Prices remain too high, and this reality is evident in all our communities. The cost of living is a major concern for Canadians, and no less for our government. For us, affordability is a key priority of action, and we are constantly on the lookout for concrete solutions to address the challenges confronting households. The GST credit increase and this new benefit are other examples of our determination, in an uncertain world, to focus on things within our control by taking direct action to put more money back in the pockets of Canadians and make life more affordable. This benefit builds on the existing GST credit to provide additional support amounting to $11.7 billion over six years. Our goal is to provide a one-time top-up as soon as possible in the spring of 2026. This one-time payment alone will deliver $3.1 billion in additional support to individuals and families already receiving the GST credit. Starting in July 2026, the 5-year 25% increase in the Canada grocery and essentials benefit will deliver $8.6 billion in additional support between 2026 and 2031. In all, these measures amount to $402 additional dollars for a single person with no children, $527 for a couple with no children and $805 for a couple with two children. These amounts are intended to directly offset the increased cost of groceries, which has outpaced the overall rate of inflation ever since the pandemic. To illustrate the impact this measure will have in concrete terms, a single senior with $25,000 in net income would receive a one-time top-up of $267 plus a longer-term increase of $136 for the 2026-27 benefit year, for a total increase of $402. In total, this person would receive $950 for the 2026-27 benefit year. Similarly, a couple with two children with $40,000 in net income would receive a one-time top-up of $533 plus an increase of $272 for a total increase of $805. In total, this family would receive $1,890 for the 2026-27 benefit year. After the one-time top-up payment is made in the spring of 2026, eligible families and individuals will receive the enriched regular payments as of July 2026. These payments will be made at the start of each quarter to permit timely access to the funds to help families with day-to-day expenses. These amounts will be in addition to existing benefits like the Canada child benefit, the Canada disability benefit and the guaranteed income supplement. It is important to note that recipients will not have to apply to receive these additional payments. However, they will need to have filed their 2024 tax return to receive the one-time payment and their 2025 tax return to receive the increased payments starting in July 2026. In my riding of Alfred‑Pellan, this measure will have a very real impact. Alfred‑Pellan is home to many families, workers, newcomers and seniors who live alone. These are hard-working people who contribute to the vitality of our community and who are telling us very clearly that the cost of groceries is putting increasing pressure on their budgets. For these households, a few hundred extra dollars can have a real and immediate impact. I also want to mention the other important measures announced by the Prime Minister in conjunction with the announcement for the Canada groceries and essentials benefit. These measures are part of a comprehensive approach to address food insecurity, support farmers and strengthen supply chains. They include setting aside $500 million from the strategic response fund to help businesses address the costs of supply chain disruptions without passing those costs on to Canadians at the checkout line. These measures also include creating a $150-million food security fund for small and medium enterprises and the organizations that support them, as well as providing $20 million to the local food infrastructure fund to ease immediate pressures with food banks. In addition, we are taking measures to lower the cost of food production, such as accelerated depreciation for greenhouse buildings and the development of a national food security strategy to tackle the root causes of food insecurity by strengthening domestic food production and improving access to affordable, nutritious food. The cost of groceries and essentials is still too high. Too many Canadians are still struggling to put food on the table. Affordability pressures, particularly those associated with food, demand an immediate response. That is why our government is taking action through concrete, responsible solutions to make life more affordable. The new Canada groceries and essentials benefit will deliver real help to thousands upon thousands of Canadians. We estimate that 12.6 million individuals and families will receive this benefit, which provides material support where it is most needed. I therefore urge all members to support Bill C-19 in order to offer tangible relief to Canadians.

Madam Speaker, this bill is in addition to the Canadian dental care plan, $10-a-day child care, Canada's national school food program and the middle-class tax cuts. This is not an isolated measure. It is part of a coherent plan to improve affordability. That is the important thing. The important thing is not when the amount will be paid, but that an amount will be paid, whether quarterly or monthly. The important thing is that the Government of Canada is taking action to meet a vital need.

Madam Speaker, this support, this help, will make a big difference for people in need. It is not just for food banks. It can also help pay rent or other expenses. It really meets a need for all vulnerable families. It is clear that this is going to help 12 million Canadians. The important thing is that there is support that will help 12 million Canadians. The important thing is that Canadians will get to decide how they will spend the money to meet their needs.

Madam Speaker, Bill C‑19 is not ideological. It is pragmatic. It puts money in the pockets of Canadians who need it quickly and efficiently. This is not about scoring points. It is about who is prepared to deliver results for Canadian families. We are taking action, not leaving Canadians to suffer economic consequences.

Madam Speaker, hundreds of thousands of Quebeckers, including many seniors, will benefit directly from this measure. In Laval, in Alfred-Pellan, single seniors will receive up to $950 for the 2026-27 fiscal year. A refusal to approve this assistance on ideological grounds would be difficult to explain to Quebeckers and Canadians who are struggling to pay for groceries.

Mr. Speaker, as Parliament resumes, Canada is facing a new reality. The challenges ahead of us are clear: a world marked by a breakdown in the international order and economic pressures affecting our families, workers and businesses. To deal with this change, our government is choosing to act, not simply endure. We are strengthening Canada domestically by supporting our businesses and securing our supply chains. We are building a more resilient economy that is focused on innovation, energy and diverse trading partners. A strong economy is critical to our sovereignty, our security and our ability to defend our values in an increasingly unstable world. In this new year, we encourage all parliamentarians to work together constructively. Canadians expect us to be united and focused on the national interest.

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the second report of the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development, entitled “Environment and Climate Impacts Related to the Canadian Financial System”. Pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee requests that the government table a comprehensive response to this report.

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the first report of the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development regarding the supplementary estimates (B), 2025-26. The committee has considered votes 1b and 10b under Department of the Environment and vote 1b under Parks Canada Agency and reports the same.

Mr. Speaker, November 22 was National Housing Day, reminding us of how essential housing is to everyone in Canada being able to have an affordable place to call home. With Build Canada Homes, we will double the construction of housing, speed up building projects, build more sustainably and make housing affordable for families again. In my riding of Alfred-Pellan, these investments are already taking shape. Le Bleau will provide 149 housing units thanks to $50.5 million in federal funding. With over $11 million in funding, Habitation Bousquet will provide 26 housing units, nine of which are fully accessible While we are delivering real results, let us remember that only six housing units were built when the Leader of the Opposition was the housing minister. We, on the other hand, have an ambitious plan, a real plan, that is already being implemented. With budget 2025, we are building a stronger Canada.

Mr. Speaker, I want to acknowledge the 80th anniversary of Courrier Laval, a fixture in local news and a key part of Laval's community life. For eight decades, this newspaper has upheld journalistic standards, remained close to its audience, and maintained its commitment to them, keeping them informed and bringing them together. From the very first edition written by its founder, José Limoges, to the most recent edition, led by Martin Olivier and Patrick Marsan, Courrier Laval has changed with the times while remaining true to its mission: to reflect the reality of Laval and to highlight its successes, its challenges and the people who shape its identity. At a time when information travels at such high speeds, local media remains key to preserving our culture and our democracy and bringing people together. I congratulate the entire team on 80 years of service, dedication and passion.

Mr. Speaker, my colleague across the way talks about hypocrisy, but I want to talk about competence. Let us compare two anonymous applicants. Who would we trust to manage a complex financial and economic crisis? Would we trust a former central banker who graduated from Oxford University, who helped manage both the 2008 financial crisis and Brexit, or a lifelong politician who has never worked a single day in the private sector?

Mr. Speaker, I have a question for my colleague across the floor. The Conservatives have constantly changed their position on Bill C‑75, first vowing to repeal it entirely, then targeting the principle of restraint and now proposing to amend it. Bill C‑14 now clarifies that restraint does not mean “automatic release”. With such constant flip-flopping, why trust a party that is so unclear on the principles of fundamental justice?

Mr. Speaker, there is something I do not understand. The Conservatives are really putting politics ahead of the country. Canadians welcome legislation that would ensure that perpetrators of sexual assault would no longer be eligible for house arrest. It is about protecting survivors and keeping our communities safe. Is there a female colleague in the Conservative caucus who will stand up and ask her colleagues why they are opposing a measure that guarantees that perpetrators of sexual assault will no longer be able to serve their sentence at home? Is there a female colleague on the other side of the House who could do that?