Parliamentary Speeches
797 speeches by François-Philippe Champagne — Page 1 of 16
Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, it is a very good question and I would like to thank the member. She has always been very supportive, and we have been working together for a number of years. Members do not need to take it from me. They can take it from the International Monetary Fund, which said there are really two countries in the world that stand out, Germany and Canada, because both have a AAA credit rating. We …
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moved that Bill C‑19, Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit Act, be read the second time and referred to a committee. Mr. Speaker, I can see the enthusiasm on both sides of the House. My Conservative colleagues too are brimming with enthusiasm this Monday morning. I am pleased to rise today to start the debate on Bill C‑19, Canada groceries and essentials benefit act. A lot of important things a…
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Mr. Speaker, the member is right. When we talk about the national school food program, 400,000 kids are better off. That should make every member of the House rejoice. When we do structural things to help Canadians, that is what the House is all about. I can already see the enthusiasm of members of the House to support this important bill so that we can send it to the Senate and make a difference …
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Mr. Speaker, I am surprised that my Bloc Québécois colleague is not rising to applaud a measure specifically designed to help our country's farmers, especially those in Quebec. As a matter of fact, in an effort to do the right thing and consult stakeholders, I spoke with the president of the Union des producteurs agricoles du Québec. Not only are we offering credit to families now, we are also goi…
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Mr. Speaker, I welcome the support of my colleague. He is an esteemed colleague of the House, and he understands well the needs of Canadians. In my previous role as minister of industry, we raised the temperature on the big chain grocers across the nation. Remember that competition is the best way to make sure that we protect consumers, and we will make sure there is more competition in the countr…
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Mr. Speaker, to be honest, I am a little surprised. I have a lot of respect for my colleague, but I think that, as a Quebecker, he should stand up in the House and applaud a measure that will ensure Canada's food security. What I am hearing from families in my riding is that their primary concern is food security, paying for groceries. Buying groceries is something that they have to do every other…
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Mr. Speaker, this is a very learned question from a colleague who has been a very esteemed member of the House. He understands the reality of Canadians. I know that my Conservative colleagues understand too, because if we go to any part of the country, like I said, we would know that the two things that Canadians face in terms of costs are the cost of rent and the cost of food. Obviously, there is…
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Mr. Speaker, I get the feeling that our Conservative friends want more good news. Here goes: We will be setting aside $500 million from the strategic response fund for structural measures in Quebec and Canada, introducing immediate expensing for greenhouse buildings, providing additional funds for food banks, developing a national food security strategy and working to standardize unit price labell…
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Mr. Speaker, I am so happy to see that some Conservatives are actually reading and listening to what we are saying. They should listen to Canadians, because perhaps that would help them. Twelve million Canadians would benefit from our measure. This is not something to shout at. This is something to rejoice. On this side of the house, we meet Canadians where they are. Canadians have told us, “Give …
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Mr. Speaker, I like my colleague, but the Conservatives have to be disconnected from reality; maybe it is because they are coming back from their convention over the weekend. Canadians have said that the two things that matter most for them now are the price of groceries and the price of rent. We have been acting on both to make sure that life is more affordable for Canadians, and we will continue…
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Mr. Speaker, it might be that my colleagues are more concerned about their own future, but on this side of the House, we are concerned about the future of Canadians. There is a lot to rejoice in today. That is why the Conservatives are so enthusiastic. It is Monday, and we have good news. We had second reading of Bill C-19. That is why all the Conservatives are smiling. They know that helping 12 m…
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Mr. Speaker, my colleague is a very learned member of the House and he knows well, for those watching at home, that most food products in Canada are zero-rated when it comes to GST. He knows this measure is good. I bet the member is going to go back to his riding and talk about it, and he is going to say the House has done the right thing. This is not about politics. This is about policy. This is …
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Mr. Speaker, while the Conservatives were focused on themselves in Calgary, this country was moving forward. Let me give a piece of news to my colleague, because he has been busy in the last few days, supporting his leader. Canada will have the second-fastest growth in the G7. That is what the international agencies are saying. Canada created hundreds of thousands of jobs. We have seen investments…
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Mr. Speaker, I am pleased that my esteemed colleague can list all of the measures we are taking to help Canadians. Indeed, 12 million Canadians are going to benefit from the new measure. I see it in his smile today. He is happy because we have reached second reading. He is going to be able to return to his riding and tell people, “Thanks to the Liberal government, we are there for Canadians.” I se…
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Mr. Speaker, let me start again. I see the Conservatives are full of enthusiasm this afternoon, but I want to make sure that they clearly understand what we are doing in the House. The second bill, as I was saying, was Bill C-15, the budget implementation act, which would help lay the groundwork for the generational investments that have been included in budget 2025. In other words, we have a long…
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moved for leave to introduce Bill C-19, An Act to amend the Income Tax Act. (Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
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Mr. Speaker, I can assure my colleague that we are as good at economics as we are at history. If there is one thing I can say, it is that we worked with the forestry sector, and I think everyone is aware of that. I know that some folks like to forget these things, but we have invested hundreds of millions of dollars to help the forestry industry. I come from a region that understands that. We have…
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Mr. Speaker, the Conservatives are good talkers, but I can tell members they have a short memory, because on Monday, Canadians noticed what will be happening. They are going to have a rebate for groceries and essentials. In addition to that, let me help the Conservatives with their householders, so they do not forget to tell their constituents. There will be $500 million for the strategic response…
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Mr. Speaker, my colleague is known for his rhetoric, but, on this side of the House, we are known for taking action. On Monday, we announced the Canada groceries and essentials benefit. The Conservatives may be laughing today, but 12 million Canadians will see a difference at the end of the month. Canadian families expect members of the House to be responsible. Will the Conservatives rise to the o…
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Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for the question. We know that the Conservatives are allergic to good news. I will remind them of what we announced on Monday. In addition to the Canada groceries and essentials benefit, we announced the following measures: $500 million from the strategic response fund to help Canada's supply chain; immediate expensing for greenhouse buildings to have more food gr…
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Mr. Speaker, I am sure that my colleague was very busy during Christmas, but she may have missed that Canada is going to be the second fastest-growing economy in the G7. That is a fact. We are building this country. Yesterday I had good news, and I have more good news. In addition to helping 12 million Canadians with real help with food, with groceries, there is more than what we announced yesterd…
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Mr. Speaker, yesterday was a historic moment. We supported Canadians. I can hear the Conservatives. They are so happy, they are going to put that in their householders. They are going to say to Canadians that a family of four will now receive $1,890 more to meet the moment. I know that the Conservatives know in their hearts that this is good. They are going to put it in their householders. We are …
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Mr. Speaker, instead of trying to find quotes, my colleague should watch television. Yesterday, he would have seen the Prime Minister join us in announcing the Canada groceries and essentials benefit precisely to address that. I realize that it may seem insignificant to my colleague, but $1,890 helps many families across the country. It is a serious measure for a serious moment in our country's hi…
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Mr. Speaker, there is more good news. I feel that my Conservative friends could use some. I have good news for my colleague and for the farmers of Beauce. He can say that structural measures were announced in yesterday's statement. He will be happy to know that I spoke with the president of the Union des producteurs agricoles and asked him how we could strengthen food security in Canada. We will w…
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Mr. Speaker, I know that today is Tuesday, but we have more good news, because I think my colleague was not listening carefully yesterday. We have made a historic announcement with the Prime Minister of Canada: the Canada groceries and essentials benefit. Twelve million Canadians, including people I know in my colleague's riding, are going to have more money in their pockets to help meet the cost …
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Mr. Speaker, I know that this is a particularly challenging week for the Leader of the Opposition, but let me help him. Today we have good news for Canadians. It is called the Canada groceries and essentials benefit. I know that in his heart he is rejoicing, because he has been asking questions in the House, and now we have delivered for Canadians. All the Liberal MPs are going to vote in favour. …
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Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague for his excellent question, because he really showed Canadians all the measures we have taken to help people. Today, 12 million Canadians across the country are celebrating the news of the new Canada groceries and essentials benefit. This will be a major help to families. As my colleague said earlier, it can help a single mother with concrete things such a…
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Mr. Speaker, coming from a star of Infoman, I am not surprised. I really admire my colleague, but he is behind the times. He must have gotten up a little late, because now it is called the Canada groceries and essentials benefit. The people in his riding applaud it. I know that, deep down, he applauds it too. The real question is whether he will stand up in the House, commend this measure that wil…
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Mr. Speaker, it is a pleasure to be back. It is only Monday and we already have some good news. It is called the Canada groceries and essentials benefit. This benefit will help 12 million Canadians. I can already see my Conservative friends. Deep down, they are happy, because they know that a family of four will get $1,890 and a single person will get up to $950 this year. The Liberals support thi…
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Mr. Speaker, I know that the Leader of the Opposition is a bit concerned about the week ahead, but let me quote the letter he sent us on January 24. We would not assume that he would be good for his word. He said, “If you have other ideas that make food affordable, we will fast-track them.” I have good news for him. It is called the Canada groceries and essentials benefit, which would help 12 mill…
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Mr. Speaker, I see that our Bloc Québécois colleagues like to talk about history. I know one thing: The Canadians and Quebeckers watching at home would rather talk about the future. I know Quebeckers. Those in my riding and those in every region of Quebec want a government that builds the future, attracts investments and supports families. Affordability is Quebeckers' top priority. What are we doi…
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Mr. Speaker, budget 2025 really is full of good news. Just look at the smiles on the Conservatives' faces. Our budget sends a clear message that the aerospace industry is a strategic national asset. Canada is one of the few countries in the world with a thriving aerospace industry, thanks to the talent, expertise and know-how of our workers. In budget 2025, we are making generational investments i…
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Mr. Speaker, we will take no lessons from the Conservatives, ever: not today, yesterday or tomorrow, any time they ask questions of members on this side of the House. Every single member on this side is fighting for Canada. We are fighting for all of our industry. We are fighting for our workers. We are fighting to build Canada strong. We should all join to defend our workers in the middle of a tr…
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Mr. Speaker, Canadians who are watching at home are looking at someone who has only ever made one deal: to come to this House. On this side of the House, we have always stood to make sure we will build this country. We will attract investment. The member should be ashamed. Ask a Canadian when the last deal was that he brought to this country. Ask him when he created one job in his country apart fr…
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Mr. Speaker, it is amazing to hear the Leader of the Opposition, because the first thing we did was make sure Canadians could have more money in their pockets. We, in fact, reduced taxes for 22 million Canadians. What is most disturbing for Canadians watching at home is that, at every step of the way, when we were there for families, for workers and for Canadians, Conservatives stood in the way. H…
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Mr. Speaker, this is a serious issue. My colleague forgot to mention that the first thing we did as a government was to lower taxes for Canadians. Twenty-two million Canadians are now paying less tax. The second thing that the Conservatives voted against—and it is important that people tuning in watch when these Conservatives ask questions—is measures to build housing. Affordable housing is the fo…
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moved: That this House approve in general the budgetary policy of the government. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 83(1), I would like to table, in both official languages, the budget documents for 2025, including the notices of ways of means motions. The details of the measures are contained in these documents. Pursuant to Standing Order 83(2), I am requesting that an order of the day be d…
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Mr. Speaker, I understand that my colleague has had a lot of reading to get through today, but there is an entire chapter on climate competitiveness. We understand that it is not only the right thing to do, but also the smart thing to do. My colleague will be pleased to see what is in the budget. I will give him this evening to read the budget, but he will see the many investment tax credits it pr…
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Mr. Speaker, I have a great deal of respect for my colleague, but yes, it is a generational investment budget. I can tell him that we were innovative with this budget. He should be very pleased. I know that the Quebeckers watching us are happy because for the first time, in our infrastructure fund, there will also be funding for health infrastructure, an issue raised by Quebec. Quebec has asked us…
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Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his question. We are in Ottawa. I would like to reassure all public service employees, who do exceptional work. I think everyone in the House can applaud them. These are men and women who are there to serve Canadians. We thank them for their work. We value their work. In our plan, we are saying that we will bring the public service back to a more sustainable s…
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Mr. Speaker, we made a clear choice. We chose Canadians. I know the budget has many pages. Maybe my colleague missed a chapter, but let me help him because we have a bit of time. We made the choice to invest in Canadians. We made the choice to protect and build our communities. We made the choice to invest in our young people. We made the choice to invest in our workers. We made the choice to inve…
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Mr. Speaker, I have a lot of respect for my colleague, but he might have noticed that the world has changed, and this is a new government, and—
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Mr. Speaker, let me repeat that, because I know they like to hear it: Canada has the strongest fiscal position in the G7. We are not the only ones who have said it; the director of the International Monetary Fund has said that Canada and Germany stand out. We have the fiscal capacity to invest. We are going to build this country and we are going to protect this nation. We are going to build Canada…
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Mr. Speaker, perhaps we should start over and give him another chance. There is a difference between spending and investing. The member should be happy because the people in his riding will see investments in infrastructure. They may even see investments in health care infrastructure. The plan we are proposing today is an investment plan, a generational budget of generational investments. People a…
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Mr. Speaker, even the Conservatives are cheering. They should be cheering about this as well: We made permanent the national school food program, helping 400,000 children each year. I know in their hearts, they support it. We have launched automatic federal benefits, reaching 5.5 million low-income Canadians, to ensure no one gets left behind. We will strengthen competition in the telecommunicatio…
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Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the member for bringing the affordability issue to this floor. We work together. There is a lot we can be proud of that we have achieved together. When we think about dental care, when we think about pharmacare, when we think about the national school food program, those are all the types of programs. The Conservatives call them slogans. When one is on the government s…
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Mr. Speaker, we will take no lessons from the Conservatives; trust me on that. At every step of the way, they fought against dental care. At every step of the way, they fought against the national school food program. At every step of the way, they fought against pharmacare. At every step of the way, they fought against programs that would support Canadians at a time of need. No one on that side o…
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Mr. Speaker, I think we all know on this side of the House, and Canadians know, that math might not be the cup of tea of the Leader of the Opposition, and neither may be economics. Let me quote one of the authorities in the world, who is the director general of the International Monetary Fund. She said just last week: And then we have countries in the G7 that are in a better position. Germany and …
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Mr. Speaker, I have enormous respect for my colleague, and he knows it. I am sure he will be pleased to know that we have already taken action. We did not wait for the Auditor General's report. Several weeks ago, I asked for a 100-day service improvement plan because we want to provide good services to Canadians. In addition—and I am sure he will spread this news in his riding—we even introduced a…
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Mr. Speaker, I am not sure who is watching question period today, but I doubt whether the people in his riding would be proud of seeing him attack those who work at the Canada Revenue Agency. These public servants do exemplary work. What they need is an improvement in processes and technology. Everybody wants to ensure that Canadians get good service. I know that he is aware that CRA agents work h…
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