Parliamentary Speeches

moved that Bill C-38, An Act to amend the Excise Tax Act (extension of the federal fuel excise tax relief), be read the second time and referred to a committee. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to be back here this morning. It is a pleasure to see all my colleagues. I see a lot of smiles in the House on both sides of the aisle. It is great to be back and it is great to be surrounded by so many familiar faces. It is great to see some new faces on this side of the aisle, and I want to welcome them to Parliament. Yes, they have been elected and now they are representing their constituents with distinction and a lot of energy. Like all members, I spent the summer meeting with Canadians, as we should all do, in Charlottetown, Edmonton, Toronto and obviously in my own riding of Saint-Maurice—Champlain, all of whom, like us, are trying to navigate a rapidly changing world. For those Canadians, I have good news, which is why it is an honour for me to participate in today's debate on the very important bill, Bill C-38, the Canadian fuel affordability act. The measures set out in this bill will give Canadians the support they need right now. We are faced with a world that is increasingly complex, increasingly volatile and, for many, more costly and unpredictable. The United States is imposing new tariffs on Canada. Global conflict and ongoing supply disruptions in the Middle East have been driving up fuel prices around the world, adding pressure to household budgets here and in many jurisdictions. In response, Canada's government remains focused on what we can control: building a stronger, more independent and more affordable country. Economic uncertainty and the rising cost of living mean that affordability is a major concern for families and businesses across Canada. One of our government's priorities is to help Canadians keep more of their hard-earned money. While we are working tirelessly to make Canada stronger in the long term, we are giving Canadians a hand today to help them bridge the gap to this better and more certain future. Our government is diversifying our trade partners abroad, attracting historic levels of foreign direct investment, and I am sure everyone took notice of the great investment summit we had; delivering responsible fiscal management as every Canadian expects from this government; and supporting Canadians while under pressure from everyday expenses. There is no doubt that Bill C-38 is a key part of this effort. Bill C-38 is just the latest initiative by our government designed to help Canadians cope with elevated fuel costs. Members will recall that in April of this year, we introduced a temporary suspension of the federal fuel excise tax on gasoline, aviation gasoline, diesel fuel and aviation fuel. This measure reduced federal fuel excise tax rates to zero cents per litre. The positive effects were felt right away. When the suspension took effect, gas prices dropped by 11¢ per litre on day one. Again, that was 11¢ per litre on day one. Clearly, the savings were passed on to consumers right away. The suspension was set to end earlier this month, after September 7, but before that date, our government announced that it would be extending the suspension of the federal excise tax on fuel until January 31, 2027, and then reducing the regular rates by 50% through March 31, 2027. The passage of Bill C-38 would ensure that Canadians get this much-needed relief at the pump right now. This would be immediate, targeted and felt across our nation. This measure has already brought down everyday costs for Canadians, including those in trucking, in the food industry, in agriculture, in housing, in construction and in the delivery sectors. This provides Canadians with immediate, substantial support. The additional fiscal impact of extending the federal fuel excise tax suspension is estimated at approximately $2.9 billion. All told, Canadians are expected to receive an estimated $5.3 billion in tax relief in 2026 and 2027. We know that this measure will continue to make a difference for Canadians, and we also know that extending the fuel tax suspension is one of the measures helping families, workers and businesses cope with global economic uncertainty. Let me put this measure in context and talk about fiscal responsibility and economic strength, because Canada is entering this period of a new world economic order in a position of strength. Canada's economy has remained resilient, despite global challenges. I want to take this opportunity in my first address to Parliament in this session as we come back to thank all the workers around this country. They have proven extremely resilient. I want to thank all the business owners. I think they deserve a big round of applause, because they are the ones who make this country work every day. I want to thank the countless small and medium-sized businesses across our country, which have proven resilient. The world has seen that Canada is far more resilient than people expected. Despite the winds bringing tariffs and other uncertainty in the world, Canada has shown a degree of resiliency that is an inspiration to all of us and to the world. In fact, Canada's economy is so resilient that our country is projected by the International Monetary Fund to have the second-fastest economic growth in the G7 this year and next. This is a testament to the resilience of our people, our workers and our businesses across the country. This performance has put us in a solid fiscal position. As highlighted in the spring economic update, we have reduced Canada's projected deficit for 2025-26 by more than $11 billion relative to budget 2025. That fiscal firepower is allowing us to build a Canada that is both strong and fair. As government revenues have increased, we have redirected some of that growth toward measures to improve affordability and support Canadians at a time of need. These measures are having a real impact on the lives of Canadians across the country. As Canada continues to build a stronger, more resilient and more independent economy, our government is taking concrete steps to bring down costs now while investing in long-term prosperity. For example, we are going to double the capacity of Canada's electricity grid to ensure a supply of clean, reliable, affordable energy produced right here at home. Our government has already accomplished much in helping bring down costs for Canadians. We have cut income taxes for 22 million Canadians by lowering the first marginal personal income tax rate from 15% to 14% as of July 1, 2025. In fact, it was the very first measure of this new government. This is providing tax relief of up to $420 a year per person or up to $840 a year for two-income families. We have eliminated the goods and services tax for first-time homebuyers on new homes worth up to $1 million and reduced the GST for first-time homebuyers on new homes between $1 million and $1.5 million. This relief has allowed more Canadians, particularly young families, to achieve their dream of home ownership. We eliminated the federal consumer carbon price as of April 1, 2025, directly saving Canadians money at the pump. On that same day, our government also removed the requirement for the provinces and territories to have a consumer-facing carbon price. To deliver additional support for more than 12 million Canadians, we also launched the new Canada groceries and essential benefit, a flagship measure that is immediate, targeted and meaningful for families across our country. It provides a family up to $1,890 this year and about $1,400 a year for the next four years and provides a single person up to $950 this year and about $700 a year for the next four years. This is meaningful, and it is going to help Canadians across our nation, but there is much more. We made the national school food program permanent, which is something every member of the House should be proud of. This is a game-changer for so many kids in our country and so many families. We just have to talk school teachers to know how much this is appreciated and is making a meaningful difference. It is going to provide school meals for up to 400,000 children per year. These are the kinds of things we were elected to do: to be there for children, to be there for families and to be there for Canadians. This is going to save participating families with two children in school an estimated $800 annually on groceries. This is really meaningful for many people. We also introduced automatic federal benefits, starting in the 2026 tax year, to ensure that up to five million low-income Canadians automatically receive the benefits they qualify for in the 2028 tax year. This is something that is very meaningful. It is the right thing to do to support Canadians. Canada is well positioned to respond to external pressures from the increasingly fragmented and uncertain world beyond our borders. We cannot control the global forces driving up prices, but we can control how we react to them. Our government is cutting taxes and boosting affordability to help Canadians manage everyday expenses, while building a more robust, more independent economy. Canadians see it, and they are behind this project to make Canada strong. It is not a coincidence that our government made this bill one of our first priorities of the new fall session. Canadians are expecting swift and concrete action from all of us, and when I say all of us, it is not not just those members sitting on this side of the aisle, but I am looking at my colleagues who are here this morning. They expect all of us to address the cost of living challenges, and today we are offering an opportunity for every member of the House not only to speak but also to take a step to support Canadian families. Canadians across the nation will be watching what people will do today, because it is sending a message that we stand with them. We are there for them, and that is the kind of message Canadians expect from the House. We are delivering for Canadians and expect all members of the House to do the same. The passage of this legislation would advance our government's important work to bring down costs for Canadians today while building a stronger economy for generations to come. I urge all hon. members to pass Bill C-38 without delay. Let us seize the moment. Let us be ambitious. Let us be there for Canadians together.

Madam Speaker, I have a lot of respect for my colleague. He is an esteemed and very experienced member of the House. I am trying to understand what he is saying to Canadians at home. I think what he is saying is that he is going to vote for the bill. I think that is good news, because it is something we should all support because it is meaningful, it is targeted and it is immediate. It is going to have an impact across our nation. It is going to reduce the pressure on the price of gas and the price of food. I take it that my hon. colleague will convince all his colleagues, because I know he is a man who has a lot of influence in his caucus. He will convince all those members to stand in unity with the government and do what is right for Canadians.

Madam Speaker, first of all, I want to thank my hon. colleague for her support. She has always been there to rise to the moment and support the government in a meaningful way. I want to thank her, not only on behalf of the government but also on behalf of Canadians, for the work she does and the position she has been taking in the House. I have had the privilege for almost 12 years now to see her in action, and she has always been there to support the government in a meaningful way. My hon. colleague's point about the investment summit should reassure her. She will have seen that our pension funds in Canada have been recommitting very large investments into the Canadian economy. This is very much welcome. I am always glad to work with her.

Madam Speaker, I just want to compliment my colleague. He is a true voice for our government in the House. He is right. This is one of the measures. We understand that affordability is front and centre, and we have been acting on all fronts. Canadians are concerned about the end of the week and the end of the month, with the price of food, the price of rent and the price of gas. He is right that we have a suite of measures to help Canadians. We introduced the Canada groceries and essentials benefit. We cut income taxes for 22 million Canadians. We cancelled the consumer carbon tax, and we provided GST relief for first-time homebuyers. At every step of the way, we have been there to support Canadians. The message is very loud and clear that we are going to be there for them. We are going to build Canada strong. We are going to do that together. We should all be proud of what we can achieve in this country. We support each other. We build for the future. We are going to make Canada strong.

Madam Speaker, that is a very important question that my hon. colleague posed, and I thank him for raising the issue. It is great to hear an MP from British Columbia supporting the ambitious agenda we have set for ourselves. I will state the words of the executive director of the International Energy Agency, who recently said that the world energy architecture is being redesigned, and Canada is going to be at the centre. This is a project for all Canadians. With great attention to the comment he made, we want to make sure that we develop our resources in a sustainable and responsible way. The member can trust the government to always do that with all the partners, the Province of British Columbia and indigenous nations. We are going to do what is right for this country, and I welcome his question.

Madam Speaker, first of all, the support from the New Democrats is welcome. I think they understand that the measure is a much-needed support for Canadians. This is about Canadians. This is about families, truckers and farmers. This is about the people who provide the logistics and feed this country. This is a measure that is very much needed. It is going to be impactful. I welcome the support, and I am sure the member is going to help us at committee to do that as quickly as possible to show that the NDP can stand up for Canadians.

Mr. Speaker, I know it's Tuesday and my colleague needs some good news. Let us talk about economic growth: 1.6%, 1.5%, 1.4%, 1.2%, 0.8%. Those are the the other G7 countries' second-quarter growth rates. Canada's was 3.3%, the highest in the G7. Together, we are going to build Canada strong. Together, we will build the strongest economy in the G7. I hope the Conservatives will get on board with our plan to build Canada strong together.

Mr. Speaker, I have the right answer for the Conservatives, and it is called “C-38”. Today, they have a chance to show Canadians they know that the number one issue is affordability, the cost of gas, the cost of food and the cost of housing. The good news is that we have taken action on all three. Today, I had the pleasure of introducing Bill C‑38, which extends the temporary suspension of the federal excise tax on gasoline. People at home are watching. Will the Conservatives do the right thing to help Canadians?

Mr. Speaker, we will take no lessons from the Conservatives. There is no way we will take lessons from them. Canadians know better. They know that we have been acting on the price of rent, on the price of food, and on the price of fuel. The question that people are asking today is whether, instead of using talking points, the Conservatives will do the right thing and support us to suspend the fuel tax. That is what they want to see. On this side of the House, Canadians know we have their back today and every day.

Mr. Speaker, if there is one thing Canadians, and those who are watching, know, it is that we are always going to be there for them. One question is this: Why, when it was time to vote, did the Conservatives vote against the Canada groceries and essentials benefit? Why did they vote against cutting taxes for 22 million Canadians? Why did they vote against cancelling the consumer carbon tax? Why did they vote against providing GST relief for first-time homebuyers? At every step of the way, Conservatives voted against supporting Canadians. On this side, we know what to do, which is always to be there for Canadians.

Mr. Speaker, everyone in this House understands that affordability is top of mind for Canadians. That is why we have acted on three levers. The first thing is that we are there to make sure that we build more affordable homes, because we understand that the first pillar of affordability is for people to find a safe and affordable place to live. The second thing is that we understand the price of food. That is why, with the Prime Minister, we introduced the Canada groceries and essentials benefit to help families across the country. Today, I introduced legislation to prolong the fuel tax suspension. I hope the Conservatives will do the right thing and support it.

Mr. Speaker, I want to compliment my colleague from South Shore—St. Margarets. I have good news for her constituents. In fact, it is good news for all Canadians. The message we are sending to Canadians is that we are there for them. We are going to support them at a time of need with a measure that is immediate, broad-based, and tangible and meaningful for families. I have the pleasure to announce in this House that we are going to extend the suspension of the excise fuel tax until January 2027. This is meaningful. This is going to help families. I hope every member of this House will stand up and vote in favour of it to support Canadians.

Mr. Speaker, everyone in the House is aware that affordability is a key concern for Canadians. We are talking about the cost of groceries, housing and gas. I have good news. We have taken action in all three of those areas. First, we presented a generational plan to build more housing across the country to help Canadian families. Second, together with the Prime Minister, we introduced the Canada groceries and essentials benefit, which will help families across the country. Another piece of good news is that, later today, I will have the opportunity to introduce a bill that will help families with the cost of gas. I hope that the Conservatives will support it.

Mr. Speaker, I think that Canadians know that the Conservatives do not have a monopoly on common sense. We understand the challenges facing Canadians across the country. That is why we were there to help Canadian families. Do my colleagues know what people are watching on TV today? They are watching a Conservative Party that has not changed. After a summer of reflection, the Conservatives are still here today asking questions instead of taking action to help us move the country forward. We are going to build a strong country together. Canadians know it.

Mr. Speaker, Canadians know that we are entering this period of economic transition, as the Prime Minister explained, from a position of strength. That is precisely because we have been responsible with public finances. While being responsible, we have always been there for Canadian families, whether it came to housing, food, gas prices or a national children's program. One thing Canadians know is that we will always be there to support them in difficult times. Let us build Canada strong together. I hope the Conservatives will join us in this major project for the country.

Mr. Speaker, again, we will take no lessons from the Conservatives. The very first thing that the Prime Minister of Canada did was to cut taxes for 22 million Canadians. That is something that Canadians will remember. Not only did we do that, but we suspended the fuel excise tax at a time when Canadians needed a bridge and a boost to the future. We are building a stronger Canada. We are helping Canadians. We are going to have the strongest economy in the G7. That is going to benefit all Canadians.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to begin by congratulating my colleague on his election and telling the people of Chicoutimi—Le Fjord that they will have a strong voice here in Ottawa. My colleague is right. We are entering this economic period from a position of strength and confidence. Canada has what the world needs, and investors are noticing, as he said. We have the talent, we have the industries, we have the critical minerals, we have the energy, and we are the only G7 country that has a free trade agreement with every other G7 country. Let us seize this opportunity. Let us be as ambitious as the folks in these industries, and let us build a strong Canada together.

Mr. Speaker, I have two pieces of good news today. The first is welcoming our colleague from North Vancouver—Capilano to this chamber, a hard worker who is going to be a big voice for British Columbia. The second thing is the productivity mega deduction. This is the most comprehensive tax change in 50 years in this country. This is going to be a game-changer for businesses across this country. This is going to put Canada on top, with the lowest level of taxation for new investments in the G7. We are going to—

Mr. Speaker, during this final question period before the summer recess, I would have expected the Leader of the Opposition to thank the Prime Minister of Canada for the work he did at the G7 summit. We brought back 13 deals that will generate $5 billion. Of course, the Prime Minister of Canada is representing Canada at an international event today. The 174 Liberal members on this side of the House are a team, a strong team that is always there to build Canada strong. We are going to build the strongest economy in the G7, and I hope the Leader of the Opposition will applaud this government's success.

Mr. Speaker, as we come to the end of the session, we would expect the Leader of the Opposition to be a bit more cheerful because, in fact, there is good news. If he wants to look at results, Canada is the second-fastest growing economy in the G7. We have seen that investment in machinery and equipment is up. We have seen that business investment in intellectual property is up. Instead of complaining, he should celebrate our workers, our industries and Canada. Let us build Canada strong together.

Mr. Speaker, let me remind the leader that we will take no lessons from the Conservatives. He needs to be reminded. We have the second-fastest growing economy in the G7. We have made record investments in infrastructure, generational investments in housing, generational investments in productivity and innovation and generational investments in our defences. We are going to build Canada strong. We are going to support our workers and our industries. We are going to build Canada like never before. Get on board, man.

Mr. Speaker, while the Conservatives are busy making videos, our Prime Minister is busy bringing deals. Members have heard it: 13 deals and $5 billion. That is what leadership is about. That is what Canada in the world is about. We are busy building the strongest economy in the G7. We have exports that are going to overseas markets. We are attracting a record level of foreign direct investment. Every day is a good day to fight for Canadians.

Mr. Speaker, my colleague will be pleased to hear that the Canadian economy ranks second in the G7 in terms of growth. Not only are we seeing growth, but we are also seeing investment; Bombardier is a perfect example of that. Quebec's aerospace industry is thriving. We have always been there to defend our industries. We have always been there to defend our workers. Together, we will build the most resilient economy in the G7. I hope that one day, the Conservatives will stand up to congratulate our entrepreneurs, our businesses and our workers. On this side of the House, we will do so every day.

Mr. Speaker, we hear the Conservatives talk against the economy. On this side of the House, we are proud. We are proud to have the most skilled workers in the world. We are proud to have an auto industry, a maritime industry, and an aerospace industry. We are proud to have critical minerals for the 21st century. We are proud to have abundant energy, renewable energy and nuclear energy. We are proud to be the only G7 country to have a free trade agreement with all the other G7 countries. On this side of the House, we will continue to support our entrepreneurs and our workers. We will continue to be proud of the Canadian economy.

Mr. Speaker, what Quebeckers and Canadians see is that we have a lot to get done. I am pleased to speak to Bill C‑30, a bill that is going to help families and workers, and that contains important measures for advancing Canada's economy. I am sure that our Bloc Québécois colleagues want to contribute to building a more prosperous Quebec. On this side of the House, we will always stand up, we will always be ready to work, and together, we are going to drive the economy of this country and the economy of Quebec forward.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to begin by thanking the member for Hull—Aylmer for his question and for all his leadership. I am sure that my colleagues will agree with me. He is right. Last week, we unveiled the national food security strategy, because we know that food security is a top priority for Canadians. These are flagship measures that will please everyone, even the Conservatives: $1 billion for food infrastructure, terminals and hubs, as well as $750 million to ensure that Canadians have access to more Canadian‑grown fruits and vegetables all year long. There are also measures to spur competition—

Mr. Speaker, I can see on the Conservatives' faces today that they are not very happy, but let me bring them good news, because the country wants good news. In fact, in 2025, Canada received the highest level of foreign direct investment. That is Canada. We have the second-fastest growth in the G7. We have made generational investments in housing, infrastructure, productivity, innovation and defence. We are going to build Canada strong. Let them get on board. We are going to build this country.

Mr. Speaker, Canadians do not want another clip. They do not want just another question. They want action. That is exactly what we have done on this side of the House. Canadians are concerned about the cost of rent, the cost of food and the cost of gas. That is exactly what we have tackled. We have made record investments in affordable housing, we have just sent the groceries benefit to more than 12 million Canadians and we have suspended the excise fuel tax on gas. We understand what Canadians want, and we will deliver for Canadians. Every day is a good day to fight for Canadians.

Mr. Speaker, what the people watching at home today are seeing is the Conservatives' hypocrisy. Where were the Conservatives when we launched the Canada child benefit, the national school food program, the Canada disability benefit and the Canada groceries and essentials benefit? Where were they when we launched the Canada-wide early learning and child care program? Where were they when we launched the Canada workers benefit? They were nowhere to be found, but we were there for Canadians.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his important question. My colleague knows full well that 100 days ago we implemented a plan to address certain challenges we have observed in the service provided by the Canada Revenue Agency. I can assure members that everyone working at the CRA is doing their best to serve Canadians well. They are ensuring tax integrity. They are ensuring that everyone pays their fair share of taxes. As we head into summer, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the employees who work at the Canada Revenue Agency.

Mr. Speaker, we on this side of the House know that every Canadian must pay their fair share of taxes. More importantly, in response to my colleague, it is important to note that we recently invested $10 billion. We reached an agreement with the Government of Quebec to invest $10 billion in Quebec's critical infrastructure. Specifically when it comes to homelessness, we recently announced an investment of over $150 million so that we can do our part to address this issue. We will always be there to defend everyone's interests and to ensure that everyone pays their fair share of taxes in Canada.

Mr. Speaker, I would also like to offer my sympathies to the family and friends of Constable Marc Pinizzotto. The thoughts of every member of the House go out to him and his family today. To answer my colleague's question, our government is making generational investments in infrastructure, housing, competitiveness, innovation and defence. Every member of our government is working on attracting investment, and the Prime Minister is making Canadians proud not just here at home, but around the world.

Mr. Speaker, my colleague will be pleased to learn that we are, in fact, working hand in hand with the Government of Quebec on these issues. My colleague should know that we conducted a pilot project to remove cell phones from the various prisons and penitentiaries across the country. We will always be there to ensure the safety of correctional officers. We will continue to work with the Government of Quebec. We will continue to fight extortion and crime in this country.

Mr. Speaker, I have never seen so much excitement from the Conservatives for an answer. We can see that summer is coming. They are awakening now. The question is very serious, and I can assure members of the House and all Canadians watching that we have some of the strongest laws when it comes to government information and disclosure. We believe in an open government. We believe in providing information to Canadians. Canadians can be assured that we have some of the strongest laws in the G7.

Mr. Speaker, I know it is Wednesday and the Leader of the Opposition is looking for good news. Let me help him. For Germany, it is 1.1%; Italy, 0.6%; Japan, 0.8%; and the United Kingdom, 1.1%. For Canada, it is 1.7%. That is the growth projection for 2027. This is what the OECD said just recently. On this side of the House, we are going to fight for Canadians, because every day is a good day to fight for Canadians.

Mr. Speaker, I know it is Tuesday and the Leader of the Opposition is looking for some good news. I have some for him. As the Prime Minister announced, the Canadian economy created over 80,000 jobs. We have the second-fastest growth in the G7 and we are attracting record investments in Canada. We believe in Canadian workers and Canadian industry. We believe in a prosperous Canada, and every day is a good day to fight for Canadian workers.

Mr. Speaker, I will take no lessons from the Conservative leader. The only job he has had in the past 10 years is being here, in the House. Canadians know that we, on this side of the House, are building a resilient economy, a more prosperous economy, the strongest economy in the G7. Even the International Monetary Fund recently said that Canada is in the strongest position fiscally. On this side of the House, we believe in Canadians. We believe in Canada's destiny, and we will fight every day to build a more prosperous Canada for all Canadians.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague for his leadership and for his excellent question. He has contributed to highlighting the good news that we received last week. With the Prime Minister, we are building the most resilient economy in the G7. While we are seeing strong growth in the Canadian economy, we are also keenly aware that the issue that matters to Canadians is affordability. We know that we need to take action on housing, groceries and gas prices. Last week, 12 million Canadians received additional support to deal with the rising cost of groceries. All Canadians watching at home know that, on this side of the House, we will always be there for them.

Mr. Speaker, it is going to be a real pleasure to start again. Let us take the list: Germany, Italy, Mexico, France, Japan, United Kingdom and Canada. Canada is going to have the second-fastest growth in the G7. This is the Canada we are building. This is the Canada that this team is building. This is the Canada that the Prime Minister is building. This is the Canada that Canadians want, and we are going to build it with them.

Mr. Speaker, I am sure Canadians who are watching today are fed up with the Conservatives' talking down the Canadian economy. Canada is a great country. We have the most educated workforce. We build planes. We build cars. We build ships. We have the critical minerals that the world needs. We have an abundance of energy. We are the only G7 country with free trade with all the other G7 nations. We are going to build Canada strong. We are going to build it together. We are going to have the second-fastest-growing economy in the G7. That is Canada.

Mr. Speaker, that is a good question. It is refreshing for Canadians to hear a good question like that. I want to thank my colleague, who does extraordinary work. As my colleague from Trois-Rivières said, the people watching us know that we are making generational investments to support the Canadian economy in infrastructure, in housing, in productivity, in innovation and in defence. However, tomorrow is June 5. That is when 12 million Canadians will receive the Canada groceries and essentials benefit. We will always be there for Quebeckers. We will always be there for Canadians. We will stand up for our industry and we will stand up for the entire country.

Mr. Speaker, what Canadians do not need at this time is these slogans, these clips and this empty rhetoric from that side of the House. Jacqueline knows, and she should know, that every step of the way, the Leader of the Opposition has voted against every affordability measure in the House. Jacqueline knows it, and we know it. Canadians know it. When it comes to affordability, we are going to stand with families. We are going to stand with workers. We are going to support our industries. We are going to build Canada strong together.

Mr. Speaker, on this side of the House, we have been busy building the strongest economy in the G7. We started with budget 2025, with generational investments in infrastructure, housing, productivity and defence, and the numbers that just came out prove it. In a sense, we have seen a record level of investment in this country. We have seen that investment in machinery and equipment is up. We have seen that investment in intellectual property is up. We have seen that government spending is down. We are going to build the strongest economy in the G7.

Mr. Speaker, I am quite happy to talk about numbers with the Leader of the Opposition. In fact, the OECD came out this morning to say that Canada would have the second-fastest growing economy for 2026-27. More importantly, on this side of the House we are focused on affordability. The good news is that, on June 5, 12 million Canadians will receive support. On this side of the House, we know how to build a strong economy. We know how to build a resilient economy, and we know how to take care of Canadians in their time of need. We will build Canada strong for all.

Mr. Speaker, what a great question from a great member who has great leadership. I have some good news. I know that the Conservatives can't see good news when it is in front of them, but let me tell them something. In budget 2025, we laid the foundation for growth in this country. We made generational investment in housing, generational investment in infrastructure, generational investment in productivity and innovation, and generational investment in our defence. That is leading us to have the second-fastest growth in the G7. We are going to build Canada strong together.

Mr. Speaker, it is odd to see the Conservatives looking so pleased this morning. I do not understand their attitude this morning. I know the people of Portneuf. They are watching question period this morning. Those who are watching understand that the world is facing headwinds in the global economy. People understand that there is a conflict in the Middle East, the most significant conflict we have seen in terms of energy. However, because I know the people of Portneuf well, I know that they know that we have a plan. We have a plan to invest in our country, a plan to invest in our young people, a plan to invest in our workers and our industry. That is exactly what we are going to do.