Parliamentary Speeches

Mr. Speaker, I know that the city of Hamilton, which my colleague represents, is home to a port that is really pivotal to the commerce of the steel industry, just like the port of Trois-Rivières in my own riding, and is supporting thousands of jobs in his riding. I am wondering if my colleague could tell the House how this bill is going to accelerate the development and expansion of trade corridors in his region, including through the port of Hamilton.

Mr. Speaker, the new school year is well under way in Trois‑Rivières, and I want to wish all of our students, teachers and staff a wonderful school year. Again this summer, the Canada summer jobs program provided about 250 young people in Trois‑Rivières with their first work experience and the opportunity to get involved in organizations that make a real difference in our community, including day camps and Carpe Diem, an organization that works with people with Alzheimer's. These experiences help our young people gain confidence and develop skills that will serve them well for years to come. Our government continues to invest in the future of young people by investing in job opportunities and the team Canada strong program, by supporting families in their daily lives and by building more affordable housing in our community of Trois‑Rivières. I want to wish all of the students in Trois‑Rivières and their families a great year filled with new discoveries, exciting projects and success.

Mr. Speaker, I was very curious to hear my colleague talk about how the Conservatives have been keeping up the fight to maintain affordability for Canadians. I find that a bit ironic. If that is the case, I am wondering if my colleague could explain why they voted time and time again against all measures of affordability for Canadians, including the dental care plan, the tax break for 22 million Canadians, pharmacare and the national school food program. I could continue, but the House is only sitting until midnight.

Mr. Speaker, we are here today to talk about Bill C-38. Everyone knows that we have been experiencing tumultuous times for over a year now. During the 2025 election, we made a firm commitment to be there to help Canadians, and that is what we have been doing since our new government took office. We have introduced measures to improve affordability for Canadians. We are also laying the foundation for a more long-term economic vision to build a stronger and more resilient economy, while addressing all of the challenges posed by the unfair trade war. We have introduced programs to help workers and businesses weather the storm. Obviously, what we are focused on this evening, particularly in our debates, is how to support families and make life more affordable. Since we very first took office, we have truly stayed the course. We are doing what we said we would do and we are laying the foundation for a stronger, more solid economy in the future. We have already implemented many affordability measures. Earlier, it was interesting to hear my colleague opposite talk about the current military conflict and the impact that it is having on gas prices. If I recall correctly, last spring, when we began talking about the potential effects of this military conflict, many of the members opposite were laughing and saying that we were making something out of nothing. Today, it is very clear. Every time Canadians go to the pumps, they see just how much of an impact conflicts and the geopolitical situation around the world can have on us. What we are proposing today are in fact measures to extend the suspension of the excise tax that we announced in the spring. We announced earlier this month that we would extend the temporary suspension of the federal fuel excise tax until January 31, 2027. We will then gradually reduce it by 50% until the end of March 2027. Like all the measures we have taken since the beginning of our new government's mandate, these measures are well thought out, gradual and rooted in reality. We live in the real world, in the real world that Canadians live in. We want to take time to review the situation and see if it will change. That is why we are taking this gradual approach. That will really help reduce the daily expenses of families and Canadians, and it will help businesses in the food, agriculture, housing, construction and delivery sectors. With the suspension we announced in the spring, which has been extended, the federal excise tax of 10¢ a litre on gasoline and four cents a litre on diesel has been suspended. It is estimated that this will save about $5.75 per tank of gas. Assuming that many families fill up about once a week, that adds up to fairly significant savings at the end of the year. This is just one of many examples of everything we are doing to continue to help Canadians deal with the challenges of our times, including the cost of living. We are doing all this while also laying a solid foundation for the economy, as I said earlier. We currently have the strongest growth in the G7. We just returned from an exceptional week during which people from around the world converged in Toronto because everyone is interested in what is happening in Canada, and in the message our government is sending to businesses and investors, both foreign as well as major Canadian pension funds. That is why, last week, we saw record commitments to invest $500 billion here in Canada. Suspending the excise tax is one measure among many aimed at making life more affordable for Canadians. We have announced, implemented and extended several such measures since the beginning of our mandate. What is clear from our actions is that our government will continue to be there for Canadians. The social programs we have put in place continue to play a central role and are truly the key to everything we do. We will not leave any Canadian behind. We know that many families are struggling to make ends meet. People do not need abstract promises. They need tangible, immediate and lasting support. That is what we have been doing since we took office, since our new government's mandate began last year in April 2025. I will mention a few measures that we have put in place. There is the Canada groceries and essentials benefit, which helps 12 million Canadians. As we speak, those 12 million Canadians are already benefiting from a GST credit supplement that will truly provide them with additional support. This assistance will provide a family of four with up to $1,890 in the first year and then $1,400 a year in subsequent years. That is real support for groceries, bills and everyday expenses. However, that is not all that we have done. We have also eliminated the federal consumer fuel charge. That measure was made official a year ago when Bill C-4 was passed. We have also reduced income tax for nearly 22 million Canadians. We lowered the tax rate for the first income bracket from 15% to 14%. These are tangible savings that add up. Earlier, my colleague mentioned the launch of the Canadian dental plan. When I talk to people in my riding, Trois-Rivières, I see that the cost of living is a key concern for them. It is a top priority, just like the tariff war and the economic situation. These are the issues that matter most to them. People are always talking to me about the dental plan. When I visit seniors' residences, people are always talking to me about the dental plan. It changes people's lives. It provides real support to families who are not fortunate enough to have very generous insurance plans. Being able to count on the dental plan makes a real difference. We have also eliminated the GST for first-time buyers of homes costing less than $1 million. Of course, this is in addition to all the work we are doing to make housing more affordable, particularly through Build Canada Homes. Naturally, we are building affordable housing and social housing across the country, but it is also important to support Canadians, particularly young families, so that one day they can plan on getting on the property ladder. These are concrete measures. We have also introduced measures to reduce the costs associated with the banking system. We know that, sometimes, when families are struggling, cheques can bounce. One thing leads to another and then another, increasing stress for people and families who are struggling to make ends meet. That is why we have set a $10 cap on the fees banks can charge customers when their accounts are overdrawn. In closing, I will say that we are here for Canadians. We have proven it through concrete measures. Extending the fuel excise tax holiday is one of the other measures we have already taken. It is true that we are living in difficult times. It is true that Canadians everywhere are going through tough times, but on this side of the House, we will always be there to help Canadians by making life more affordable.

Mr. Speaker, on this side of the House, we listen to Canadians. We held pre-budget consultations. We travel around our ridings and listen to what people have to say. Canadians elected us in 2025 based on the plan, the real plan that we submitted to them, with figures no less. They elected us on that basis. We made a commitment to Canadians that we would keep moving these measures forward, and that is what we are doing. We are living up to our commitment. We continue to be there for Canadians with measures like the one under discussion this evening.

Mr. Speaker, that is an excellent question. We actually just made an announcement today regarding the Canada rental protection fund. We have now opened applications for the Canadian housing acquisition fund, which will preserve existing affordable housing to ensure that it is not put back on the market at a higher rent after being renovated. We are investing $1.5 billion in the Canadian housing acquisition fund. This is, of course, in addition to everything else we are doing through Build Canada Homes. We have already signed agreements with 19 provinces, agencies and organizations to build affordable housing across Canada. We are talking about social housing and affordable housing. We also changed the definition of affordable housing to lower the threshold to 30% of a family's income, to ensure that Canadian families can afford housing that meets their needs and fits their budget.

Mr. Speaker, I do not know where my colleague is getting his information, but I would encourage him to refresh his search skills, because then he would see that we added 88,000 new jobs to the economy, that the cost of rent is starting to drop and that wages are on the rise. However, we know that too many Canadians are still unable to cope with the high cost of living. We cut taxes for 22 million Canadians. We implemented a national school food program. We have the Canada groceries and essentials benefit for 12 million Canadians. I really hope that, while the Conservatives are in their ridings this summer, they will take some time to think about all of the times that they voted against Canadians during this parliamentary session.

Mr. Speaker, this year marks the 250th anniversary of the battle of Trois‑Rivières, a historic milestone that occurred on June 8, 1776, in my beautiful riding. At the time, the American colonies were trying to make Canada and Quebec their fourteenth colony. However, they suffered a crushing defeat at Trois‑Rivières and retreated. That battle marked a turning point. It helped to preserve our identity, our territory and our ability to stand up for ourselves. In many ways, this is where it all began for the sovereign and independent country that we are today. This battle helped shape the destiny of what would become Canada and reminds us that my region played a defining role in our country's history. Two hundred and fifty years later, we are commemorating not only this historic event but also the rich heritage of Trois‑Rivières and the work of those who preserve our collective memory. I therefore invite everyone to come visit our region this summer and discover this important chapter in our history.

Mr. Speaker, I find my colleague's remarks odd. She knows full well that we are focused on finding solutions to homelessness. She sits with me on the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities, where we discuss this issue. She also knows full well that Build Canada Homes was set up with over $1 billion for transition houses. More than 1,000 units have already been announced. We are working hard on this. On top of that are all the programs that we introduced, such as the school food program for children. We have cut taxes. We are here to help Canadians and improve affordability. I do not know why the Bloc Québécois members are not supporting us.

Mr. Speaker, homelessness is a serious and urgent problem, and it is a shame that it is being politicized today. Canadians deserve safe, stable housing, and that is why we are going ahead with the national housing strategy, which includes an action plan to address homelessness. That is why we are investing more than $1 billion under Build Canada Homes to build transitional housing. That is why we are introducing programs such as Reaching Home, which helps community organizations working to combat homelessness. The Reaching Home program has already helped more than 112,000 Canadians access stable housing. We are there for Canadians, and we will keep working.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of Bill C-26, an act to authorize certain payments to be made out of the consolidated revenue fund for the purpose of improving housing supply. This bill would authorize the Minister of Finance to make immediate payments to the provinces and territories to support measures aimed at increasing the housing supply. The proposed funding of more than $1.7 billion would help make housing more affordable for all Canadians. This federal funding would be transferred to the provinces and territories and used exclusively for measures aimed at increasing the housing supply, such as reducing development and new home construction fees, as well as for additional investments in existing provincial and territorial housing creation programs. Because we know that the housing market varies from one province or territory to another, we believe that they are in the best position to ensure that the funds are invested where they will have the greatest impact for Canadians. Unfortunately, after calling for such measures for months, the Conservatives are once again trying to throw a wrench in the works and stall this bill in order to prevent the provinces and territories from accessing these funds. Earlier today, the Conservatives moved to adjourn the House instead of allowing this bill to move forward. This is the third time that the Conservatives have moved such motions to adjourn in recent days. Why are they doing this? They know full well that the measures that we are proposing, such as Bill C‑26, will have a positive impact on the housing market. We know that they do not like good news. I am a new MP, and I never thought that elected officials could take satisfaction in the headwinds we are facing, with the tariff war affecting businesses and the geopolitical turbulence that brings new challenges every day. However, we on this side of the House are rising to the challenge. The Conservatives know that Bill C‑26 is part of a series of concrete measures that our government is creating to make a difference and fix the housing crisis. They heard this from many experts, developers, non-profits and government officials who appeared before the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities to testify about the importance of lowering building costs and increasing the supply of affordable housing in order to ease the pressure on rents. This is part of what Bill C-26 proposes. They know that this bill complements Build Canada Homes, the new investment agency working to increase the supply of affordable housing across Canada. Since its launch last fall, Build Canada Homes has already reached agreements to build over 11,400 units, most of which is affordable housing. I am tired of hearing them mislead Canadians day after day by saying that Build Canada Homes has not done anything yet. I will provide a few examples. In Nova Scotia, there is a partnership worth up to $300 million to build up to 1,430 affordable housing units. In Manitoba, Naawi-Oodena, a historic redevelopment project carried out in partnership with Treaty 1 first nations and the Canada Lands Company, will see 320 affordable homes built. A total of 2,100 units could be built on the entire site. In Quebec, our governments announced in April a joint investment of nearly $200 million to build 865 new affordable housing units across Quebec. This is on top of the 1,055 units that had already been announced in Longueuil in December 2025. In the north, we have reached an agreement in principle with the Government of Nunavut and Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated to build 750 units, including affordable public housing with support services. In Ontario, we partnered with the City of Ottawa to build up to 3,000 affordable homes for mixed-income households. To sum up, the number of agreements and projects that are shovel ready far exceeds the time I have to speak. These projects also mean thousands of jobs for construction workers, electricians, plumbers, carpenters and many local businesses across the country. In an uncertain economic environment, our government is choosing to invest in Canada and Canadians. Last week, the House of Commons passed the bill to make Build Canada Homes a Crown corporation. We now hope that it will be passed quickly by the Senate so that this new agency can have all the tools it needs to speed up housing construction. It is important to note that the Conservatives did not make any changes to this bill. However, they voted against it. They voted against the thousands of affordable housing units that will be built across Canada, in the ridings of all my colleagues here in the House. They voted against affordable housing for families struggling to make ends meet. They voted against better housing for seniors who need a bit of a break. Now, once again, they are opposing Bill C-26. I hope that the Canadians listening to us today take note of this and understand what it means, specifically that the Conservatives do not care about affordability. Bill C-26 is part of a package of measures we are introducing to accelerate housing construction in partnership with provinces, territories, municipalities and indigenous communities. These include measures like the build communities strong fund, which will invest more than $51 billion in our communities, including in infrastructure that enables housing construction, such as water and sewer systems. Housing cannot be built without the underlying systems needed to support it, and the need is great across Canada. Just two weeks ago, the Prime Minister, together with the Premier of Quebec, announced a historic agreement between Canada and Quebec for $10 billion in investments to build more housing across Quebec. That includes $2.6 billion for infrastructure. This is the kind of constructive federalism we support. Our goal on this side of the House is to work and serve Canadians, not to play political games. Bill C‑26 includes other measures, among them targeted tax relief, such as the elimination of the 5% GST on new rental housing. Here again, the goal is to reduce upfront costs and move projects forward. Programs such as the apartment construction loan program and the CMHC's mortgage insurance products are available to help builders secure financing. The proposed $1.7 billion in Bill C-26 would give the provinces and territories the flexibility they need to take targeted measures to increase the housing supply quickly and effectively where communities need it most. This flexibility is essential, because housing needs are not the same in Whitehorse, Montreal, Halifax, or Iqaluit. The provinces and territories are best positioned to determine the measures that will rapidly increase the housing supply in their communities. Collaboration with the provinces and territories is at the heart of this bill. Solving Canada's housing crisis requires more than a one-size-fits-all approach. It requires a concerted effort in which everyone pitches in, an effort based on collaboration, flexibility, and immediate action. On this side of the House, we understand that. Bill C-26 will help turn our ambitions into meaningful results. We must act now. Canadians need more housing, communities need support, and our economy needs us to keep building. Above all, Canadians need the opposition to get to work. I therefore urge all members of Parliament to support Bill C-26.

Mr. Speaker, my colleague knows full well that we never said the government was going to build 500,000 homes. Our job is to bring together the conditions needed for the market to build them. The homes themselves will be built by developers and builders. We are working with the provinces to create a regulatory framework that will keep things moving quickly and put financial tools in place to get projects started. We are indeed very proud of the 11,400 housing units to be added to the 260,000 housing starts already made last year.

Mr. Speaker, Build Canada Homes is not yet a Crown corporation. In fact, we are awaiting the Senate's approval of Bill C-20. Yes, this remains one of Build Canada Homes' commitments. We are working very closely, in fact, with the Société d'habitation du Québec on all projects from Quebec that are submitted to Build Canada Homes. We work jointly and are in regular contact with all the organizations that submit projects. I myself meet with dozens of them every week.

Mr. Speaker, as my colleague said earlier, we are already seeing the results of these announcements. However, developers are telling us that they need certainty that this bill will pass and that the funding will actually get out the door. That is what they are waiting for. That is what is making them nervous right now. They testified before the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities last week and told us that the market is accelerating and has become much more dynamic since the bill was announced.

Mr. Speaker, I will reiterate what my colleague on the other side of the House said. Yes, the Conservatives talk about it every day in the House, but they do not do anything to support the arguments they are making in the House today. They voted against Build Canada Homes. They voted against the national school food program. They voted against the Canada groceries and essentials benefit. They voted against the Canada child benefit—

Mr. Speaker, today, I am pleased to welcome a group of young people from Trois‑Rivières to Ottawa along with Carrefour jeunesse-emploi de Trois-Rivières. This visit is a great opportunity for these youths to better understand how our democratic institutions work, to learn more about the role of parliamentarians and to see how decisions that affect their daily lives are made. Carrefour jeunesse-emploi, or CJE, plays a key role in our community by supporting young people in their endeavours, their studies, their integration into the labour market and their civic engagement. I want to thank the entire team at the CJE for their dedication. I also want to thank the young people here today for their curiosity and interest in democratic life. I hope that this experience will inspire them to get involved and contribute in their own way to building the future of our community and our country. I welcome them to the House of Commons.

Mr. Speaker, I really enjoyed working with my colleague on Bill C‑20 at the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities. He asked good questions. We really felt that he truly wanted to understand. After listening to him today, however, I have to wonder whether we were on the same committee or heard from the same witnesses. I find the premise of the member's speech a bit disingenuous. We heard the committee witnesses, including promoters and developers, talk about how BCH would help, because increasing the number of affordable homes would ease the pressure on the market. We heard, including from the head of CMHC, about how BCH and CMHC are collaborating and how their work is complementary. Most important, the CMHC CEO said that while CMHC does have the legislative mandate to do some of the work that BCH will be doing, it is not set up for it. It would take it quite some time to ramp up to get to that point. I am just wondering if my colleague can really stand here today and say that none of these things were heard at committee.

Mr. Speaker, I want to speak today about the importance of ferry services in Canada and reaffirm our government's commitment to ensuring that these services remain reliable, affordable and sustainable for generations. Ferries are lifelines for communities, and they are a responsibility that the government takes seriously. From visiting friends and family to getting goods to market, Canadians and businesses across Canada rely on safe and efficient ferry services to keep communities connected and to help build an economy that works for everyone. On the Pacific coast, BC Ferries is one of the largest ferry operators in the world, carrying more than 22 million passengers and nine million vehicles each year. It is an essential public service that is critical to the daily lives of British Columbians. It operates as an independently managed, publicly owned Canadian company, with the single voting share held by the provincial government's, B.C. Ferry Authority. For the residents of Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands, the Sunshine Coast and countless smaller coastal communities, ferries are not a convenience; they are the only connection to health care, education and opportunity. The Government of Canada has long recognized this reality. Since 1977, Canada has provided an indexed annual contribution to the Province of British Columbia, recognizing that ferries are part of the provincial highway system. This year alone, that assistance amounts to nearly $38.6 million. This is a tangible expression of the partnership between Ottawa and British Columbia. During the pandemic, federal funding through the safe restart agreement allowed ferries to continue to sail. Without this partnership, communities would have had to deal with higher fares or reduced services. Neither option was acceptable, and the government stepped in to keep the system afloat. The Government of Canada has also taken steps to support ferry operators in Canada, including through the removal of importation duties on used ferries and by providing loans to BC Ferries to help renew its fleet with modern vessels. These efforts are supported by the national shipbuilding strategy. Since 2012, this strategy has created or maintained more than 20,000 jobs per year, contributed tens of billions of dollars to our GDP and restored stability to a sector that was once plagued by boom-and-bust cycles. Ferries are not regional amenities. They are part of the national infrastructure. They are constitutional obligations in the east, vital corridors in the west and vital arteries everywhere else. Investing in ferry services is an investment in Canadians, in communities and in the unity of our country.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his work and for his advocacy on this important issue. As I mentioned before, ferry services in Canada are a lifeline for communities to get goods to market and support the economy. BC Ferries is one of the largest ferry operators in the world. It provides an essential public service that plays a critical role in the day-to-day lives of British Columbians, in terms of bringing together smaller communities and facilitating connections to key services such as doctor's appointments and education. We are very well aware of the importance of the ferries to these communities. That is why, since 1977, we have provided an indexed annual contribution to the Province of British Columbia for the coastal ferry service within the province. This year alone, it is nearly $38.6 million. In exchange for an annual grant, the Province of British Columbia assumes sole responsibility for determining which ferry services receive financial assistance, and the Government of Canada was relieved of all obligations related to the funding and operation of ferry service within the province. In addition to the grant, we also provide funding to BC Ferries.

Mr. Speaker, what my colleague failed to mention is that, tomorrow, 12 million Canadians, including thousands of people in his riding, will receive the first Canada groceries and essentials benefit payment. This is the kind of concrete action our government is taking to help make life affordable. This is the kind of program the Conservatives disparage here, day in and day out. They should not be lecturing us. Who are they to lecture us? They are not concerned about the cost of living at all.

Mr. Speaker, while the people on that side try to manufacture a crisis, we are making the necessary investments to strengthen our communities. More than $2.5 billion was announced this week for post-secondary campuses, community centres and infrastructure across Quebec. More than $1 billion over three years is being allocated with the Government of Quebec to modernize and expand our hospitals and emergency rooms, including those in rural communities. More than $6 billion is going toward public transit across the province. These are the concrete results we are delivering for Quebeckers and Canadians.

Mr. Speaker, we are still hearing rhetoric from the other side. On this side of the House, we know that the cost of housing and food are the biggest expenses for families. That is why we cut taxes for 22 million Canadians and why a groceries benefit for 12 million Canadians will be deposited into their accounts next week. We also put in place a school food program for 400,000 children. We created Build Canada Homes. We have already reached agreements to build tens of thousands of units, with the work scheduled to start in the coming weeks. They voted against all these measures. They need to stop showing contempt for Canadians. My question for them is this: When will they get out of their echo chamber, listen to Canadians and get to work?

Mr. Speaker, the Conservatives think that if they repeat their message day after day, Canadians will eventually believe that they truly care about affordability. On this side of the House, we are working on real measures to tackle the affordability issue. We have eliminated the gas tax. We have introduced the Canada groceries and essentials benefit and the Canada national school food program. We are accelerating the construction of affordable housing. We are protecting jobs in the industries most affected by tariffs. We are promoting training programs. The Conservatives voted against all those measures. No one believes that the Conservatives are there to help the most vulnerable. Let us be serious. They should get to work.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great humility and pride that I rise today, as the member for Trois-Rivières, to speak to the 2026 spring economic update and to share what I have heard in my riding, as well as the commitments and actions our government is taking to represent the people of our communities. First, I want to talk about pride—pride in what I heard while going door to door, pride in our government's actions, pride in being part of this team at such a pivotal moment for our country and, above all, pride in representing a riding that wants to be part of the future and part of the solution. The number one thing I heard about while going door to door was the cost of living. That is really what people are most concerned about. However, contrary to what our Conservative colleagues like to claim about us living in a vacuum, my constituents understand that the global context is having an impact on the cost of living. The dependence on supply chains—

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for bringing members into the House, and I thank my colleagues for being here today. When I went out to meet with people, the number one issue I heard about was the cost of living, which folks are concerned about. However, contrary to what our Conservative colleagues like to claim about us living in a vacuum, my constituents understand that the global context is having an impact on the cost of living and the dependence on supply chains. The physical wars in Ukraine and Iran are also having an impact. The illegal and unfair tariff wars are affecting input costs. What I am hearing from people is that it is absolutely critical that we maintain the programs that are helping the most vulnerable Canadians. It is often said in the House that our programs are handouts given to Canadians. These are not handouts. These programs help families make ends meet and have a better life every day. For example, 26,000 people in my riding, Trois-Rivières, are benefiting from the dental plan. There is the Canada child benefit, which 8,700 households back home are receiving. More than 35,000 people in Trois-Rivières are receiving the Canada groceries and essentials benefit. Of course, we cannot overlook the school food program. Thousands of young people in the 22 most disadvantaged schools in my riding are receiving food assistance through the school food program. Canadians are proud that their government has succeeded in protecting its social programs, even in the current context. I would like to talk a little about the housing crisis. We know that rent is one of the biggest expenses for families. That is why we need to build housing faster. Obviously, we have launched Build Canada Homes. In fact, soon we will be studying Bill C-20, which we hope our colleagues will support. Agreements have already been signed to build more than 10,000 units, and construction will begin in the coming weeks. We have also proposed a GST rebate for first-time homebuyers. More recently, we announced $1.7 billion in transfers to the provinces to encourage cities and provinces to reduce barriers to construction, whether related to zoning, densification, or permitting. These are important measures. It is also important to give our young people hope that one day, they will have good jobs and be able to buy a home. That is why, in this economic statement, we invested $750 million in sports infrastructure. We also increased the number of summer jobs, and this summer, 100,000 young people will get their first job experience. In my riding of Trois‑Rivières, these investments add up to nearly $1.2 million. This will give small businesses a break. It will help non-profit organizations expand their services. For example, the Trois-Rivières Native Friendship Centre will be able to accommodate 30 more children at its upcoming summer camp with the help it received from Canada summer jobs. With the economic statement, we are moving ahead with the team Canada strong initiative, which involves a $10-billion investment in recruiting, training and hiring 80,000 to 100,000 new Red Seal trades workers. We want to build at speed and scale. That takes labour. We are rolling out the programs needed to equip ourselves to get there. The people I spoke to also talked to me a lot about the economy. It was the second-most important issue when I met with people in recent weeks. They understand the global context and they understand the repercussions of what is happening south of the border. People told me that they are very satisfied with the government and with the actions that the government and our Prime Minister are taking. I want to quickly tell members what people told me about the Prime Minister. They said that he was the right man for the job, that he governs with his head and that he is the adult in the room. They also told me to imagine what things would be like if the other guy were in power, referring to the Leader of the Opposition. Above all, people talked to me about pride. They are proud that Canada is taking its rightful place in the world. They are proud of the investments that we are making in the Canadian Armed Forces. They are proud of the fact that Canada is not giving in to the will of the President of the United States just to secure an agreement at any cost. They also told me that it is time to build and time to do things differently, to turn things around and to take every opportunity that presents itself. That is what we have been proposing since our government was elected in 2025. Through the Major Projects Office, for example, we will build and expand the port of Contrecoeur. There is the high-speed rail project, which I am sure my colleagues will want to discuss shortly. There is the defence industrial strategy, which will create up to 125,000 jobs. The build communities strong fund provides $51 billion to ensure our communities have the necessary infrastructure. Above all, there is the “buy Canadian” policy to favour Canadian companies in procurement processes. We know that none of this will be built overnight. In the meantime, we know that our industries are suffering because of the global context and the unjust and illegal tariffs imposed by the U.S. administration. That is why we are here to support our businesses and our workers, notably through the regional tariff response initiative, which we enhanced in the latest economic statement: The funding was originally set at $1 billion, but we have added $500 million. In my riding, companies such as FAB 3R, AGT Robotics and Captel are being hit hard by the tariffs. With these investments, they can diversify, protect jobs and modernize their production. This is in addition to other programs, such as the $5‑billion strategic response fund, which helps businesses adapt to the global context. Just recently, Minister Joly joined me in my riding to announce—

Just recently, the Minister of Industry and I were in my riding to annunce a $35‑million investment in Kruger to help this company diversify its production line and create market opportunities for Canada's forest products, which is another industry that is struggling right now. In the economic statement, the government announced the Canada Strong fund, a sovereign wealth fund with $25 billion in initial capital that Canadians can contribute to in order to receive their share of the returns generated by the build Canada strong program. Canadians are proud of their country and want to participate in this major social project we are building. While going door to door, I also had people raise the issue of the environment. We discussed the auto strategy and the nature strategy. We discussed our leadership on the international stage, which we are not abandoning. Canada is upholding its commitments. Canadians and Quebeckers know very well that no party has done as much to protect the environment and combat climate change as our party. That brings me back to the topic of pride. Protecting our territory and fighting climate change are matters of national pride, both in Quebec and in Alberta. We have been witnessing a surge in national pride since last year. The economic statement tabled by my colleague, the hon. Minister of Finance, meets the moment we are experiencing together. On this side of the House, we are taking action. We are adapting to a changing world. We are capable of envisioning the future. We are not afraid to make the necessary decisions. We are governing responsibly and ambitiously, and above all, we are continuing to be there for Canadians who need help. The economic statement feeds into the grand endeavour we launched in 2025 to build Canada strong for all Canadians, a proud Canada.

Mr. Speaker, in 2015, according to another statistic I would like to remind my colleague of, the child poverty rate was 16%. Today, it has fallen below 10%. That is exactly what we are doing: We are lifting people out of poverty. Although I know it is my colleague's turn to ask a question, I would like him to tell me where he would make budget cuts. Every day, we are told that we are doing nothing right. Could my colleague tell me where he would make cuts?

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his excellent question. When I talk to my constituents, they tell me not to take them for fools, because they know full well that the Conservatives do not care about affordability or the social programs we are putting forward. That is what my constituents are telling me. They know that we are here to support Canadians by eliminating the gas tax, by providing the grocery benefit, by providing the school food program, by accelerating the construction of affordable housing and by protecting jobs in the industries most affected by tariffs. The Conservatives voted against all those measures. No one believes that the Conservatives are actually there for the most vulnerable.

Mr. Speaker, I understand that it is hard for them to come up with a plan that makes sense. That is exactly what we are proposing: a plan that makes sense. I repeat, we have announced $1.5 billion to help the industries most affected by the trade war. We are investing in our infrastructure to build the Canada of tomorrow. We are going to train 100,000 youths in specialized trades to put them at the centre of the major projects that we are going to build. We are doing all this while reducing the deficit, which according to the economic statement is down from $78 million to $67 million. I will say this in English, because I do not have the right words in French. I am so tired of hearing about the social programs as if they are handouts, and of hearing about people who need to rent apartments as if “Why are you guys building apartments? People want to own their home.” Through the Chair, please stop putting Canadians down.

Mr. Speaker, the member is saying it is not true. Yes, it is. It is more important than ever that we find opportunities for improvement that are within our control. We need to control what we can. We know that Canadians are feeling the pressure of everyday expenses right now, especially when it comes to the cost of fuel. Canadians and consumers around the world are facing higher prices at the pumps, creating uncertainty and pressure on household finances. This is stemming directly from the events that are unfolding in the Middle East right now. This is why, on April 14, the Prime Minister announced a temporary suspension of the federal fuel excise tax on gasoline, diesel and aviation fuels across Canada. The suspension started on April 20 and will remain in effect until Labour Day. We are expecting that this will reduce Canadians' bill at the pumps by up to 10¢ per litre on gasoline and up to four cents per litre on diesel. This is adding to the 18¢ reduction from the carbon tax that we removed when we came into power last year. This is also in addition to the other measures we have put in place to support Canadians. We introduced the Canada groceries and essentials benefit to make everyday essentials like groceries more affordable. I know my colleagues across the aisle will mock this, but this measure builds on the GST credit and will provide additional support for more than 12 million Canadians. This is going to start with a one-time top-up next week, on June 5. Combined with a 25% increase in the benefit for five years as of July, a family of four will receive up to $1,890 this year, and a single person up to $950 in 2026. This is money in the pockets of Canadians. This is money that can help families make ends meet at the end of the month. This is money that can provide relief. We also know that a big part of taking things into our own hands is making life more affordable for Canadians. That is why Bill C-30 is proposing to extend the grace period during which homeowners are not required to start repaying their homebuyers' plan withdrawals from the RRSP from two years to five years. The homebuyers' plan helps eligible homebuyers save for a down payment by allowing them to withdraw up to $60,000 from an RRSP to purchase or build their first home, something the Conservatives voted against, or a home for a specified disabled person, without having to pay tax on the withdrawal. This extended grace period already applies to withdrawals made between 2022 and 2025 and provides relief of up to $4,000 per individual per year for three years, over which they are not required to repay the amount into their RRSP. Everyone deserves a roof over their head. That is why our government is taking action and putting housing and home ownership within reach of more Canadians.

Mr. Speaker, the measures in the recent spring economic update are part of the next step in our plan to build a stronger, more independent and resilient Canada for all, because we do have a plan on this side of the House. It would advance our progress in building more affordable homes and the major infrastructure that transforms and connects our economy, while bringing down costs to help people get ahead. It would help businesses seize new opportunities and give families the confidence to plan their future. It would build a Canada that is not just strong, but good; not just prosperous, but fair.

Mr. Speaker, the Government of Canada is focused on making housing more affordable and on making home buying more attainable for Canadians. Through budget 2025, we are making generational investments of $25 billion over five years for housing and $115 billion over five years for infrastructure. These strategic investments will build major infrastructure and homes, and create lasting prosperity, empowering Canadians to get ahead. That is why the Prime Minister launched Build Canada Homes in September 2025. It is a completely different way to build affordable housing for Canadians. The new federal agency is going to catalyze a more productive housing industry, something that sets it apart from anything that has been done previously. There are already agreements for over 10,000 units to be built over the coming months, and some of those shovels are already in the ground. Build Canada Homes is not going to act alone. It will work in close partnership with developers, manufacturers, provinces, territories, municipalities and indigenous partners to get housing financed and built. The goal is to make it faster and easier for builders to get big projects off the ground and deliver homes for Canadians right across the country. Young families and first-time homebuyers deserve the same opportunity to own a home their parents did. That is why we are taking action to provide Canadians with immediate relief through targeted tax measures. We are cutting the goods and services tax on new homes at or under $1 million for first-time homebuyers, delivering savings of up to $50,000. We are lowering GST on new homes between $1 million and $1.5 million. These initiatives, despite what the Conservatives are saying, will help more Canadians buy their first home. We are also helping first-time homebuyers through the tax-free home savings account that helps Canadians to save for their first home, which the Conservatives voted against. We are building on the success of programs delivered through the national housing strategy, like the $4.4-billion housing accelerator fund, which incentivizes municipalities to eliminate barriers to building that can be big obstacles to building fast. We are investing in a purpose-built rental supply through the apartment construction loan program. We are also taking action to help the community housing sector acquire at-risk rental apartment buildings, ensuring they remain affordable over the long term with the launch of the Canada rental protection fund. It is unacceptable for anybody in Canada to go without safe, affordable and inclusive housing. That is why the federal government is committed to solving the housing crisis and taking a leadership role on housing. The Government of Canada is removing barriers to construction, reducing risks for home builders and making significant investments in non-market housing in partnership with developers. We are working closely with builders, investors, indigenous partners and all levels of government to implement innovative solutions to get the job done. Together with partners, the Government of Canada is leading transformative changes in Canada's housing sector.

Mr. Speaker, the Government of Canada is committed to solving the housing crisis. We are working together with all our partners to use every tool available and get the job done. The housing accelerator fund and the apartment construction loan program are just some of the key programs that are helping Canadians and helping developers get apartments and homes built. Build Canada Homes is going to partner across the housing ecosystem to drive the development of affordable housing, supporting a mix of income needs. We need to increase our stock of affordable housing. There is no way around it. We are at 4%. We need to get to 8%. It will catalyze modern methods of construction as part of a national effort to increase housing construction, restore affordability and reduce homelessness. The federal government is back in the business of building homes for Canadians. We are taking bold action to build a housing market that works for everyone and to create lasting, meaningful change across the country.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague for his truly important speech. How many times does he think this issue has been raised, and how many times has it been addressed in the House over the past few months? The same question is asked day after day, and we answer it every time. As my colleague just mentioned, the Prime Minister has clearly set out the government's position on this matter. I would like my colleague to explain to us why asking the same question and getting the same answer does not help to move the debate forward. That is not what Canadians expect.

Mr. Speaker, I know that the members across the way have a hard time with facts, especially when these facts involve math. Allow me to help them out a bit. We have reduced the deficit by $11 billion. We are the second-strongest economy in the G7. Most importantly, we are attracting more investment than we have in the past 20 years. How did we do it? While the Conservatives are busy repeating the same questions day after day, we are responding and adapting to a changing world. We are here to build Canada strong for all Canadians.

Mr. Speaker, the Conservatives have been very clear about their austerity agenda but we are still waiting to hear which projects they would cut. We hope they can tell us. Would they cut $1-billion infrastructure agreement we reached with Quebec? Would they cut the expansion of the Port of Montreal in Contrecoeur? Would they cut the 865 housing units we just announced to help people in vulnerable situations? We hope they can tell us. We are awaiting a response.

Madam Speaker, I know that members on the other side of the House have trouble with the facts, but I am going to remind them of a few. Canada's fiscal position is the best in the G7. We are leading the G7 in investments. We have the second-strongest growth of the G7. On this side of the House, we are responding and adapting to a changing world. We are capable of imagining the future and making the necessary decisions. Our way of governing is responsible and ambitious, and most of all, we continue to be there for Canadians in need, with tax cuts, a dental plan, food assistance, a training program and the sovereign wealth fund. That is what building Canada strong for all Canadians means.

Madam Speaker, on this side of the House, we are here for Canadians. We understand that things are tough. That is why we lowered taxes, implemented the school food program and provided training for workers. We are here for Canadians. I want to ask my colleague, where would he cut? Would he cut the infrastructure agreements that we signed with Quebec? We gave them $1 billion. Would he make cuts to the 855 units we just announced a few months ago in Joliette, in his riding, and in the Laurentides? Would he make cuts to infrastructure projects, the expansion of the port in Contrecoeur—

Madam Speaker, the Conservatives have always been very clear about their austerity agenda, but we are still waiting to find out which projects they intend to cut and in which communities. Would you make cuts in your constituency, which I visited a few weeks ago for the opening of affordable housing projects for seniors and students? Would you cut the infrastructure agreement with the Government of Quebec, involving an investment of nearly $1 billion? Would you cut the 865 units we announced with Quebec three weeks ago for affordable housing, transitional housing and vulnerable people? What are you going to cut? Please, tell us.

Madam Speaker, it is very rich to hear this debate today. The Conservatives are still refusing to come clean with Canadians about where it is they plan to cut. The member is from Newfoundland and Labrador. Will he say what project the Conservatives are going to pull the plug on and tell workers to go home? Is it the Marina Redmond Centre in Corner Brook? Is it the Build Canada Homes announcement of 130 secure, affordable units for seniors in St. John's, the water infrastructure through the western coast, or the Tors Cove Hall that our government is providing funding for? Please, can they just tell us? We have been asking.

Madam Speaker, what I find really unfortunate is that the official opposition has about 15 days a year to bring intelligent debate to the House. On top of that, they have about 45 minutes a day to hold the government to account. However, instead of engaging in real debates and real discussions, they spend their time reciting slogans and criticizing everything the government does. Today, we spent the day arguing about the name of a sovereign wealth fund when, in fact, the purpose of this fund is to build Canada strong, and that is what Canadians need right now. On this side of the House, we are responsible, we are ambitious and we continue to deliver for Canadians. We are capable of imagining the future and we are not afraid to make the necessary decisions. Do the Conservatives have a plan or an alternative? I have not heard them talk about that.

Mr. Speaker, it is with tremendous pride that I highlight the victory of the Patriotes of the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, who were crowned Canadian university hockey champions a few weeks ago. This remarkable achievement is a testament to the talent, discipline and determination of our student athletes, who represented Trois‑Rivières with honour and passion. Throughout their journey, they have shown exemplary resilience by refusing to give up, even in their darkest moment. I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to the players, coaches and all the staff who support them. I also want to acknowledge the support of the fans, who help surround the team with such a special energy. This victory puts Trois-Rivières on the map and fills our community with pride. In fact, we are honoured to host the 63rd U Sports men's hockey championship in March 2027. Congratulations to the UQTR Patriotes!

Madam Speaker, we have been making representations in Washington that the tariffs are unjustifiable, and we welcome the members' engagement in ensuring that we continue to advocate and put forward the position of the government. This is work that we need to do together. That is not happening right now, and members know it. We are not doing this in a concerted way. We are not doing this in a team Canada way, unfortunately, and we need to do more of that.