Eric Duncan

Mr. Speaker, I rise on behalf of Conservative members regarding the foreign affairs committee's review of Canada's Indo-Pacific strategy. While this region is vital to Canada's future, the government report papers over four years of empty announcements, inadequate resources and delayed implementation. Instead of confronting threats, the government soft-pedals Beijing's military expansion, economic coercion and human rights abuses while pursuing a new strategic partnership with China. Most notably, the Liberals refused to sign the Canada-Taiwan trade co-operation framework agreement fully agreed upon since March 2025 and absurdly recommend operationalizing an agreement they refused to sign, simply bowing to Beijing's intimidation. Meanwhile, our weak hard-power contributions lag behind key allies, risking Canada's standing as a reliable security partner. Conservatives demand real action: sign the Taiwan trade agreement immediately, accelerate regional defence investments, publish transparent accountability scorecards and make all new engagement with Beijing strictly conditional on international law.

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister made a flashy announcement about promising to buy and build Canadian, yet we have learned this was all talk and no results. It was just a big political stunt. The Toronto Star confirms that since he made that promise, government purchases from American companies have actually increased by 50%, to nearly $8 billion. The Liberals are completely out of touch, and Canadians are rightfully shocked by this. Why is the Prime Minister choosing to send billions of Canadian tax dollars to the United States in the middle of an unjust trade war?

Mr. Speaker, we always have to dig deeper to get the truth when it comes to the Liberals' big announcements and promises. The Liberals claim they are buying Canadian, but that is not the case in two multi-billion-dollar examples. The reannounced LNG phase two project will be using Chinese steel instead of supporting laid-off Canadian steelworkers, and shockingly, the Liberals are handing out billions in federal contracts and work to American companies. So much for buy Canadian. The Prime Minister pretends to stand up to President Trump while giving out $8 billion to the United States in contracts. The question is simple. When will the Liberals stop sending Canadian jobs and money to Beijing and Washington?

Mr. Speaker, the latest survey from the National Payroll Institute demonstrates how the Liberals are out of touch and Canadians are out of money. More than one in four employed Canadians are living paycheque to paycheque and would struggle to cover their bills if their pay was delayed by just one week. This is at the highest level in five years. Things continue to go in the wrong direction, and the Liberals continue to double down on the same failed approaches. Our Conservative plan is to save Canadians money by taking all federal taxes on gas, about 25¢ a litre, off until Canada Day next year. Will they finally adopt our plan?

Mr. Speaker, it is all talk and no results, because the data from the survey gets worse. It further confirms just how bad the cost of living crisis is for Canadian workers. Only 18% believe their income increases are keeping pace with the rising cost of living, and groceries are now the largest source of financial stress, which was cited by 55%, while nearly half of employed Canadians say they are worried about personal debt. How many more surveys and reports that show the struggle of everyday Canadians do we need to see before the Liberals reverse course and adopt our Conservative economic action plan to put more money in Canadians' pockets and help them afford to live?