Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to report that the Prime Minister and the president had a very productive discussion yesterday on steel, on aluminum and on energy for the benefit of the Canadian economy. On auto, I remind my colleague of the president's words: “we want Canada to do well making cars, so...we'll get there.” I encourage the Leader of the Opposition to take a look at Ford Canada in my ridin…
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Mr. Speaker, we are focused on building a very strong bilateral relationship. I ask my colleague opposite if it is a failure when we support our auto industry, if it is a failure when we support steel, if it is a failure when we support aluminum. We beg to differ. We are diversifying our trade routes. We are building strong bilateral relationships across the world, including with the United States…
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Mr. Speaker, last week at the United Nations, I reiterated Canada's commitment to multilateralism. At a time when countries are retreating towards protectionism, Canada will not retreat. We will continue to be a leader on the world stage, we will strengthen our defence and security, we will strengthen our economic resilience and we will enhance our commitment to core values. With these three pilla…
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Mr. Speaker, the situation that Palestinians are facing is intolerable. This matter is before the court and we will be closely following the situation as it develops. Canada is putting pressure on all parties to agree to an immediate ceasefire. We will not wait to act. We have sanctioned extremist settlers, including ministers. We have provided $355 million in assistance and we also intend to reco…
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Mr. Speaker, Canada just concluded hosting an extremely successful G7 summit in Alberta at Kananaskis. The world is becoming more unpredictable, and the world needs Canada's leadership. The Prime Minister and his colleagues signed joint statements on critical minerals, on energy security and on transnational crime. The world needs more Canada. Canada is ready to lead. Long live Canada!
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Mr. Speaker, we will address that question in a moment. I am devastated to learn of the Air India crash that occurred earlier this morning. The flight was carrying 242 people, one of whom was Canadian. We are in touch with our international partners, and I have been speaking with Canadians this morning. I am sure that all members of this House will join in extending our collective condolences to t…
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Mr. Speaker, the world has an international security crisis on its hands. We must never lose sight of the fact that our sovereignty, security and prosperity are tied to overall global stability. Canada believes in collaboration. The G7 is an essential forum for world leaders to have frank and productive discussions. Security, stability and protection are necessary for Canadians. At the same time, …
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Mr. Speaker, as I have already said, the G7 is an important forum for international dialogue with international leaders. At the same time, we must have security and the necessary conversations about protecting our fellow citizens and our population. That is our top priority. We will do that, and we will always protect Canadians.
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Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister and I have spoken with our Indian counterparts, and there has been an agreement for continued law enforcement dialogue. The G7 leaders' summit is a critical forum for global leaders to have productive and frank discussions. The RCMP's independent investigation is ongoing. In this country, the rule of law will never be compromised. We will always stand up for the saf…
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Mr. Speaker, the world is facing geostrategic challenges, and Canada is ready to lead. Canada has what the world wants and the values to which the world aspires. As president of the G7, Canada will leverage our strength to seek new agreement on protecting our communities and the world, building energy security and securing the economic partnerships of the future. The world needs more Canada, and w…
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Mr. Speaker, it is an honour to table, in both official languages, “Public Accounts of Canada 2024”. I can confirm that the Auditor General has provided once again an unqualified audit opinion on the Government of Canada's financial statements. I have multiple binders here that will evidence the foregoing.
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Mr. Speaker, on the contrary, we have the lowest debt and deficit in the G7. In addition, in the fall economic statement, Canadians can see supports for affordable housing, supports for $10-a-day child care and supports for public servants who want early retirement. On this side of the house, what do we do? We support Canadians, as opposed to what they do, which is cut.
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Mr. Speaker, rather than talking down Canada, let us stress the facts. Inflation has come down to 1.9%. We have the lowest debt and the lowest deficit in the G7. In the fall economic statement, we put forward numerous measures to support businesses and families in Canada, including $10-a-day child care, which is going to give rise to 300,000 jobs. On this side of the House, we believe in supportin…
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Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to table, in both official languages, on behalf of 87 departments and agencies, the “2023-24 Departmental Results Report”.
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moved that the bill be read the second time and referred to committee of the whole.
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moved: That the Supplementary Estimates (B) for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2025, except any vote disposed of earlier today, be concurred in.
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Mr. Speaker, the hon. member opposite actually has it inaccurate. If I could clarify, we are extremely concerned with airlines putting forward junk fees, and the Minister of Finance has specified this in successive budgets. I will be speaking with the airline executives. I will be calling them out for charging these extra fees. Canadians want excellent service, not excellent fees, and our governme…
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moved that Bill C-79, An Act for granting to His Majesty certain sums of money for the federal public administration for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2025, be read the first time. (Motion deemed adopted and bill read the first time)
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moved that the bill be concurred in.
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Mr. Chair, the presentation of this bill is identical to that used during the previous supply period.
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moved that the bill be read the third time and passed.
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Mr. Speaker, what we hear on the other side of the House is not resonating with Canadians. The reason is because Canadians, in their time of need, require a government that recognizes that its supports for dental care, supports for pharmacare, supports for a national school food program, supports for the most vulnerable in our economy are ones that the Conservatives ignore. They vote against them …
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Mr. Speaker, what my honourable colleague does not quite understand is that we do have a Canada first policy. That is why we have the lowest net debt-to-GDP ratio in the G7. That is why we have a AAA credit rating. That is why we have inflation that has decreased not once, not twice, but three times, to 1.6% in September. At the same time, we have supports for Canadians. For example, there is the …
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Mr. Speaker, whether it is $10-a-day child care, increases to GIS and OAS, or the Canada child benefit, on this side of the House we are always there to support Canadians, for example with last week's announcement of a tax holiday on essential goods, clothing, diapers and food, as well as cash back for 18 million workers. While the Conservatives play partisan games, what we have to say is that we …
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Mr. Speaker, what it is a recipe for is supporting Canadians during a difficult time with tax-free essential goods, diapers, clothes, essentials, groceries and prepared foods. Canadians are going to have support from our government through the holidays. That is, if the Conservatives could decide to actually support Canadians, rather than filibustering, being obstructionists and making sure they ar…
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Mr. Speaker, on this side of the House, what we believe is that investing in people, investing in our economy, leads to greater economic growth. That is why Canada leads the G7 in terms of net debt-to-GDP ratio, that is why independent credit rating agencies have said that we should maintain our AAA credit rating and that is why Canadians have elected us numerous times, defeating many leaders of t…
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Mr. Speaker, with respect to helping Canadians, we are entering a period of a tax-free holiday for Canadians. On the subject of my colleague's question, our public service comprises hard-working Canadians, the very best in the world. Very soon, I will table three actuarial reports on the public service pension plan. I will have more to say about any potential surplus and next steps at that time. I…
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Mr. Speaker, one of the things my hon. colleague forgot to mention was that Canada has sustained a AAA credit rating and the lowest net debt-to-GDP ratio in the G7 and has repeatedly seen inflation decreasing, to 1.6% in September. My hon. colleague mentioned GDP per capita. I take the point. We will continue to examine our economic supports, including making sure we have a tax-free holiday for Ca…
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Mr. Speaker, diapers, groceries, prepared meals and essential goods, what do these things have in common? They are all tax-free for the holidays. That is great news for Canadians, as well as the cashback coming for 18 million Canadian workers. On the other side of the House, what do we get? Filibustering, obstructing, playing partisan games. It is time for the Conservatives to get serious about su…
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Mr. Speaker, it is tax-free on essential goods for the holidays. That is great news for Canadians. There are also supports for Canadian workers, 18 million of whom will get cash back, which is more good news for Canadians. On this side of the House, we are fighting for affordability measures. On the other side of the House, what do we have? We have partisan games. How can members opposite claim to…
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Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to submit a message from Her Excellency the Governor General of Canada signed by her own hand—
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Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the supplementary estimates (B), 2024-25.
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Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. When my hon. colleague was answering a question, my name was up on the screen. I know that we are both of similar backgrounds, but we are different people, and I would appreciate it if the correct name is shown when the other person is speaking.
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Mr. Speaker, I beg to differ. I am standing up in the House today, after meeting with our government's chief accessibility officer, to definitively emphasize how important passenger safety and accessibility is for this government. I will repeat that over and over again in the House and outside of the House. There is nothing more important than non-discrimination and more accessibility and safety f…
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Mr. Speaker, in 2019, we were the first government in Canadian history to introduce legislation to protect air passengers. It was the right thing to do. Last week, the Supreme Court ruled in favour of Canadians. They have rights. They deserve to be protected. They can count on our Liberal government. Unlike the Conservatives, we will always stand up for travellers and their rights.
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Mr. Speaker, my hon. colleague is exactly right. Conservatives do not have workers' backs, unlike this side of the House. Our top priority is to deliver quality programs and services to Canadians. We are committed to ensuring that our public servants are supported through this change to the directive on hybrid work. It is our expectation that departments work with their union management committees…
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Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for raising this important point. Safety is my top priority as Minister of Transport. I hear and understand the concerns from first nations communities. It is crucial that remote northern and indigenous communities have access to the safe and reliable connectivity that they need. I will continue to work with the Minister of Indigenous Services on this very impo…
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Mr. Speaker, of course, my office is working with the commissioner's office to address funding concerns. At the same time, protecting whistle-blowers is one of our government's top priorities. We have made a number of improvements that support disclosures. Whistle-blowers play a critical role, and we are here for them.
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Mr. Speaker, first, as I said, my office is working with the Public Sector Integrity Commissioner and her office to respond to these issues. We supported the bill that my colleague mentioned. I hope that everyone at the Senate will support it as well. What is more, an external working group is reviewing the amendments to the Public Servants Disclosure Protection Act. We will continue to be there f…
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Madam Speaker, Canadians are asking for better service at airports. Last week, I was pleased to make an announcement at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport about pre-clearance at that airport. Canadians can expect smoother travel between Canada and the United States, more travel options, more economic growth, more tourism, more trade and more security. That is what it is all about. Unlike the opposi…
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Madam Speaker, I want to say that safety is my top priority as Minister of Transport. I hear and understand the concerns from the first nations communities. It is absolutely crucial for remote, northern and indigenous communities to have access to the safe and reliable connectivity that they need. I will work with them to ensure that the operations at the facility are being carried out safely. The…
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Mr. Speaker, safety is always our top priority. When the Transportation Safety Board issues a report, we always carefully consider its recommendations. This in fact was also the case with the MV Ingenika. We are working now to implement recommendations and strengthen safety measures. We are working every step of the way with industry, with unions and with experts.
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Mr. Speaker, we have the best public service in the world. Every time, we continue to invest in Canadians, in the most vulnerable members of our society, in families, in children and in seniors. What are the Conservatives doing? They vote against those measures every time. We are here for Canadians and to build a really strong country.
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Mr. Speaker, in budget 2024, we are proposing an economic plan for our country. The other side of the House has no plan. We have a plan for the economy, for families, for seniors, for children. Those folks over there have no plan at all. I hope everyone will vote in favour of our plan this week.
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Mr. Speaker, actually, a new report out today says that housing starts are up by 10%. We are now on track to build over 50,000 housing starts this year. We can compare this to when the Leader of the Opposition was the housing minister. Can we count how many housing units were built? That would be six. I wonder about those stats. On this side of the House, we actually have a plan to build housing; …
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moved that Bill C-74, An Act for granting to His Majesty certain sums of money for the federal public administration for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2025, be now read the first time. (Motion deemed adopted and bill read the first time)
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moved: That the Main Estimates for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2025, less the amounts voted in the interim supply, be concurred in.
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moved that the bill be read the second time and referred to a committee of the whole.
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Madam Speaker, I appreciate my hon. colleague's question very much. We continue to support the Canadian Armed Forces, for example by providing $28.8 billion in our budget. We continue to support them with other measures as well. We recently released an update to our defence policy. It increases our spending for the Canadian Armed Forces, and we continue to increase our spending to achieve the 2% t…
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Madam Speaker, as always, I enjoy receiving the hon. member's astute questions, including at committee, but if we look across the departmental results reports and the departmental plans, oversight is being done through those plans and through the results reports that we publish every year. In certain cases, the targets, if they have been recently set, need sufficient time to be filled in, but let …
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