Government Orders
Madam Speaker, it is my turn to speak to Bill C-15 and, of course, the budget. The budget tabled on November 4 is about building a stronger and more prosperous Canada. It essentially boils down to three themes: building, protecting and empowering Canada. I will discuss these three broad themes in greater detail in a moment, but before I do, I would like to put the budget into context. The context …
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, I am not quite sure I fully understand the question from my colleague because I never said “clever austerity”. I just said that this is not the time to impose toxic austerity. This is not the time to cut government spending blindly and hope that the invisible hand will somehow address the structural issues we are facing, which are very serious. The invisible hand does not always wor…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, there are many measures in the budget, several of which are particularly good for Quebec. I am talking about our ongoing unwavering support for culture, for Radio-Canada, for example. We are also supporting the social programs that make Canada what it is. We are not like other countries. We believe that we have a duty to help one another and to stand together. Programs like the Cana…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, unfortunately, I do not think I have enough time, as this is a very important issue. However, no and no, in the sense that this is not an austerity budget, but what the Conservatives are proposing would be a toxic austerity budget, and a deficit of this magnitude at this time does not lead to inflation.
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, our Conservative friends keep saying that the budget spends too much, and whatnot, and that if they were driving the bus, they would have probably taken about $50 billion to $60 billion out of the budget. What impact does the hon. member think an austerity budget like that would have on youth?
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Are you surprised by that? Mr. Speaker, it is important that we keep our cool and not just sign any old contract with the United States. With regard to Paccar, we are in contact with the company. We will find solutions by also working with the Government of Quebec.
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, when the Prime Minister makes a decision, it is in the interest of all Canadians. That is why we have made several trips abroad, which the Conservatives are not big fans of, to secure investments. That is why there will be a very important announcement this afternoon. I advise my colleagues to pay attention, because there will be announcements regarding lumber and steel, to support ou…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, every time the Prime Minister leaves the country it is to drum up contracts with other allies and to find new markets and new clients for our products. Canada has what the world wants and we will have partners to work with. The Conservatives pretend to not understand that, but they do understand. I am very sad to see the petty games they are playing. They understand full well, but the…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, I am rather surprised that the member would phrase his question that way. Yes, we are in the midst of a trade war.
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his speech. I obviously agree that violence, especially gun violence, is a very serious problem in our society. I would like to hear my colleague's thoughts on the importance of effective gun control.
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I have a very brief comment. Concerning support for businesses affected by the tariff war, we had already announced several important measures, before the budget, for the aluminum and softwood lumber sectors. Together with the Business Development Bank of Canada and CED, or the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, we will continue to support the sectors. Ho…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, members may have noticed that, in my speech, I talked about the total deficit of $78 billion. I did not hide anything. The budget document itself does not hide anything either. Everything is clearly stated in it. We state that we are going to invest heavily in housing, in productivity and in supporting Canadians. That is what we are going to do.
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I will continue my speech and remain calm. What we also have in Canada is a productivity problem. This country has a productivity problem, and it started a long time ago. It is the outcome of insufficient private investment in machinery and equipment, and this is precisely what are going to tackle with this budget. The budget contains very concrete, real measures to trigger a wave of …
Read full speech →Government Orders
You should be ashamed. This is a democracy. We have to listen to each other.
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, we have one of the best credit ratings in the world. We have the fiscal space to take action, and we are going to act within our means. I would appreciate the opportunity to continue my speech. I did not interrupt my colleagues.
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I must inform you that I will be sharing my time with the member for Mississauga—Lakeshore. Tuesday's budget is aimed at building a strong and prosperous Canada. Basically, it comes down to three pillars: build, protect and empower. Before I talk about the budget itself, I think it is very important to talk about the context this budget fits into. The reality is that the world changed…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to talk about ôChampfleury, an important organization in my community, in Laval. For over 35 years, ôChampfleury has been a fixture in the community, providing essential programs and services that bring citizens together and strengthen the fabric of our society. Whether it is through activities for young people, support for families, cultural events or community involveme…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, security is security. Whether it is security for FIFA or for anything else, it is national security. Again, I stated very clearly in my speech that the deficit was $78 billion. We are not hiding that fact. Everything is there. All the details are there.
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, it is a very relevant question. We are going to protect public services. We are going to make sure Canadians continue to have access to the services they need. In fact, in that context, I would mention one of the measures that was just announced, and that is the automatic federal benefits for low-income individuals, where the CRA will prefill tax reports so disadvantaged Canadians, wh…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, with the budget, we will be investing significantly in the economy, with a particular focus on young people. We are well aware that young people are facing a challenging situation. If we want to help them, we need to give them opportunities. We need to ensure that the labour market functions better so that these opportunities become a real possibility. That is how we are going to move…
Read full speech →Adjournment Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to respond to my colleague's comments on the Canadian automotive industry. This industry plays an essential role in the Canadian economy and generated roughly $16 billion in economic activity in 2024. It directly employs more than 125,000 Canadians and supports hundreds of thousands of supplementary jobs across the country, especially in southern Ontario. The auto industr…
Read full speech →Adjournment Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, I highlight the fact that this was started by the United States. The position the industry finds itself in is a direct result of the trade war triggered by the United States. We have said time and time again that we are ready and willing to negotiate an agreement with the United States, and we are still waiting for the United States to come to the table so we can negotiate. We will no…
Read full speech →Adjournment Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, obviously, the very high cost of living is a real issue. We understand very well that it has a direct impact on the lives of average Canadians. However, one needs to know where that high cost of living is coming from. The members opposite may not have realized that we had a COVID crisis in the country and around the world. In the recovery period following COVID, there was a very sharp…
Read full speech →Adjournment Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, yes. There was a global rise in inflation and food prices, and countries around the world reacted to them. Canada's reaction brought about positive results. Inflation is now within the 1% to 3% range. The Bank of Canada, which the members opposite do not appear to like, has been one of the most successful central banks in the G7 in bringing inflation back under control. For the cost o…
Read full speech →Adjournment Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, budget 2025, which will be tabled tomorrow, will address these issues. We are going to invest massively in our economy to make sure that we are able to overcome the shocks we are currently suffering. We are going to do that by triggering a wave of private investment, the likes of which the country has never seen. We are going to create the appropriate conditions to lead the private se…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Madam Speaker, I would remind our colleagues that the U.S. is the one that triggered this trade war. We are going to come up with an arrangement with the Americans, but not at any price. We will not make just any arrangement. A bad agreement is worse than no agreement at all. Our main interest is to defend Canadian workers and maintain access to the U.S. market. We will wait as long as it takes fo…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Madam Speaker, I have to say that I am very surprised at the tone of my colleague's question. He knows very well that our government is there to support forestry workers. We have been supporting them for a long time and we will continue to do so because we know very well that this industry is vital to many rural, remote communities in Quebec, Ontario, British Columbia and New Brunswick. It is impo…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Madam Speaker, yes, the Canadian federal government is here and will always be here to support the softwood lumber industry and the forestry industry. We are acutely aware that this is a crucial industry in many regions of Quebec and Canada. We will continue to work collaboratively with the provincial governments, including the Quebec government. We are here, and we will continue to be here.
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Madam Speaker, we will all see this government's budget on November 4. It is a 21st-century budget that will address the very serious problems we are facing right now because of what is happening in the United States. I would like the Conservatives and the Bloc members to vote in favour of the budget so that we do not have to have an economically harmful election at Christmas.
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Madam Speaker, the budget we will be tabling on November 4 is a responsible and ambitious one. The time is now. Now is the time to act to support Canada's economy so that our children's future is well protected. Now is the time to take action. We will take action, and we will take strong action.
Read full speech →Statements by members
Mr. Speaker, October is Women's History Month in Canada. It is a time to recognize the outstanding achievements of women who, over generations, have helped build a stronger and fairer country. To the many women in positions of leadership, I want to say that their courage and determination have opened doors for future generations. Behind every major development, there are also everyday heroines: mo…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, my colleague just gave the example of the Paccar company. I would just like to point out that the U.S. administration's decision to impose tariffs on trucks, especially those made by Paccar, is completely incomprehensible and abusive. This was done just a few days ago. It gives you an idea of how unpredictable this administration is. Cooler heads will prevail, and that is what Canada …
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I have one quick question. For my information, could my esteemed colleague tell us whether Roxham Road is still open?
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, we all understand and we all know that the automotive industry in Canada, in Ontario, is one of the most important industries in the country. We want to keep it that way. We are doing everything we can to help workers in those industries. In fact, I think it was yesterday that the president of Unifor said that the Minister of Industry was doing a fantastic job on this file. He said so…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, this is quite the spectacle. People are talking over everybody else. It sounds like a kindergarten class. We are taking action. We are improving services at the Canada Revenue Agency.
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, we are taking action. The Minister of Finance and National Revenue has already ordered the Canada Revenue Agency to review its procedures, and we are going to give the agency the financial resources it needs to hire staff and get the equipment needed to address these very important issues.
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, we did not wait for the Auditor General's report to take action. We have already given the Canada Revenue Agency rather clear instructions about changing its processes and hiring more people.
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, I would like to share the following information with the House. First, inflation in Canada is under control. It is at 2.4% and the Bank of Canada target is between 1% and 3%. We have been meeting the inflation-control target for 21 months. Second, there is no link between the government's deficits and inflation. Inflation is a global phenomenon. Do COVID-19, the war in Ukraine and ris…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I have a very brief question for my colleague. Does he really believe that the Conservative Party would agree with everything he said, particularly with regard to tax policy and employment insurance? Does he really think his new partners would agree with him?
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I just want to come back to the issue of printing money. I would like to remind my colleague that it is called quantitative easing, and it is a policy central banks implemented. The U.S. Federal Reserve also adopted this policy, as did many European countries. Does my hon. colleague believe that quantitative easing measures are harmful?
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, indeed, the reason why the Government of Canada will be able to announce major investments in its budget is because the nation's finances are under control. Our debt-to-GDP ratio is among the lowest in the OECD. Our debt is not excessive. We can control and manage the situation.
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, it is now my turn to speak, and I want to say that I am a bit surprised to learn that our Bloc Québécois colleagues will vote in favour of the motion, but so be it. The global economy has changed and Canada must change too. We need to build more housing and infrastructure and support industries that are essential to our economic growth. This spring, Canadians called for a serious and …
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I am bit surprised that our Bloc Québécois colleagues are criticizing us because we have a budget that will have a deficit, a very large deficit, and yet they are also asking us to spend more. I find this rather contradictory. The oil sector is a key sector for Canada's economy. It generates significant wealth. It also generates significant tax revenues, so we will be staying the cour…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, there were many things in the member's question. Modern Canadian governments, like all governments in the OECD these days, do not print money. Let us get that clear. Governments do not print money. Credit is a way for governments to address their situation. When private investment is faltering because of great uncertainty, the government has a very important role to play to assist pri…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, there has been a lot of talk of fiscal irresponsibility from the last two speakers. However, I would like our colleagues to explain this. If Canada is such a basket case, how do we still have a AAA credit rating?
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, I will repeat what I announced in the House: Eighty-five per cent of our exports enter the United States tariff-free. What is more, the Canadian economy is an open economy. Capital moves across the border in both directions, and we will do everything we can to continue to attract capital to Canada so that we can invest and grow faster.
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, I must admit that I am surprised to see that our friends across the way do not understand the concept of capital flow. The Canadian economy is an open economy. Capital comes in and capital goes out. We have a great tradition of investing abroad and accepting foreign investment. That is what we will do and that is how we will grow the Canadian economy.
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, that is exactly the question that was asked on April 28, and Canadians overwhelmingly answered that this Prime Minister would be the one responsible for governing Canada and doing his best to ensure its rapid and diversified economic growth.
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, we know the lumber industry very well. I know the lumber industry in Quebec very well. This is not our first go at this with our American neighbours. We will be able to negotiate an agreement with them. That is why we are not going to sign just anything. We will make sure that the agreement we sign will benefit all Canadians and every sector.
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, indeed, softwood lumber is an industry that is going through a challenging period, and not for the first time. This industry has regularly been under attack from our southern neighbour. That is why we must negotiate a comprehensive agreement that is in the interests of all Canadians. The Prime Minister rightly pointed out that we would not be signing just any agreement. We will sign a…
Read full speech →