Parliamentary Speeches

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the sixth report of the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security in relation to Bill C-221, an act to amend the Corrections and Conditional Release Act with regard to the disclosure of information to victims. The committee has studied the bill and has decided to report the bill back to the House with amendments.

Mr. Speaker, I was obviously delighted, as many others were, to listen to one of our newest members of Parliament on this side of the aisle. I listened carefully and heard from her that she believes it is important both to fight for the interests of Canadians and Canada outside of Canada by building more alliances and by diversifying our trade relationships and to fight for the interests of Canadians, especially those who are struggling more with the high cost of living. Why, in her view, is it important to do those two things, especially in the context of what we hear from opposition MPs, who say that the Prime Minister should not try to address both challenges at the same time?

Mr. Speaker, I am very grateful to have the opportunity to speak this evening to highlight the Government of Canada's efforts to make life more affordable. This very important piece of legislation, Bill C-38, is part of those efforts. As we know, Canadians are having to cope with an increasingly complex and unpredictable world and, unfortunately, this world is also, in many respects, more dangerous and more expensive. In view of this, the Canadian government continues to focus on what it can control: building a stronger Canadian economy, diversifying our foreign trade, forging more alliances with countries that share our values, ensuring responsible fiscal management and supporting Canadians in managing the cost of living. Allow me to give a very concrete example. For several months now, shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz has been disrupted. This has led to soaring oil prices, a sharp rise in gas prices and increased costs for other essential goods. Did the Canadian government, or Canada, start this war in Iran? Of course not. Has the Canadian government taken action, and should it take action, to reduce costs for Canadians? Of course it has, and it should. Global conflicts and the persistent, significant disruptions to these supply chains stemming from the Middle East or elsewhere, including the conflict in Ukraine, are not things the Government of Canada can stop or even control. However, what we can do here in Canada and in the House of Commons, and what we are already doing, is help Canadians who are bearing the brunt of these conflicts through no fault of their own. The federal fuel excise tax has been suspended since April 20. Earlier in September, the Minister of Finance and National Revenue announced that the Canadian government had decided to extend the temporary suspension of the federal fuel excise tax until January 31, 2027, and then to apply a rate equal to 50% of the regular excise tax rate from February 1 to March 31, 2027. This will help reduce daily expenses for Canadians, particularly those related to road transportation and the food, agriculture, housing, construction, and delivery sectors. The suspension of this tax is expected to save Canadians up to about $5.75 on a 50-litre tank of gas. These are real savings for families. It also means lower costs for truckers and businesses. This measure is expected to provide more than $2.4 billion in relief to Canadians in 2026–27. By lowering the price of gas and diesel at the pump, the Government of Canada is taking real action to support all those who are currently facing very real challenges. I want to point out that this temporary suspension of the federal excise tax builds on other measures that have already been announced and put in place. I will give an example. Even before the conflict in the Strait of Hormuz began, economies, businesses and workers in many countries, including Canada, were thrown into uncertainty by a historic increase in tariffs. Is Canada responsible for the upheaval in global trade and the resulting rise in the cost of essential goods? Of course not. Should the Government of Canada take action and has it done so? Of course it should, and it has. To help Canadian families make ends meet, earlier this year, for example, we launched the new Canada groceries and essentials benefit. This new benefit is based on the GST tax credit and provides increased support to two million low- and modest-income Canadians. That is just the beginning. Starting in July of this year, middle- and lower-income Canadians received higher quarterly payments. The benefit will be increased by 25% for another five years and will add approximately $8.6 billion in additional support to families that are struggling to make ends meet, including middle-income and modest-income families. In total, a family of four could receive up to $1,890 this year and then about $1,400 a year for the next four years. A single person could receive up to $950 this year and then about $700 a year for the next four years. This is real support. It is concrete and tangible. It is helping people buy groceries, pay bills and cover essentials. That is not all. We also cut taxes for 22 million Canadians by lowering the tax rate for the first personal income tax bracket from 15% to 14%. In 2026, that reflects savings of $420 per person and $840 for a two-income family. We also eliminated the goods and services tax, or GST, for first-time homebuyers of new homes valued up to $1 million and reduced it for homes valued between $1 million and $1.5 million. In addition, we made permanent Canada's national school food program, which is helping 400,000 children and their families access high-quality meals at home and at school, saving the parents of two children an average of $800 a year on groceries. We have also taken very real action to improve the banking system's fairness and affordability for Canadians, especially those struggling to make ends meet. Since March, for example, consumers can no longer be charged more than $10 if their personal bank account balance is too low to cover a payment. In addition, non-sufficient fund fees cannot be applied if the account overdraft is less than $10. This year, we are also going to begin automating the payment of federal benefits. This will help up to 5.5 million low-income Canadians get the benefits they need and are entitled to receive. In conclusion, the Government of Canada is focusing on the things it can control, like building a stronger, more resilient Canadian economy, while at the same time helping Canadians who struggle in their daily lives under cost-of-living pressures caused by the many severe global disruptions that we are familiar with. For all of these reasons, I sincerely ask all members of the House to vote in favour of the bill.

Mr. Speaker, in fact, we are doing two things. First, we reduced income tax for 22 million Canadians, which is quite a large number. It has been, unfortunately, opposed by the Conservatives. The second thing we are doing is helping those who struggle more than richer Canadians. The member has heard my list of measures. For example, the national school food program is helping thousands, in fact more than 10,000 children in my region, who otherwise would struggle to go to school with a full belly and therefore would also struggle to learn what they need to learn to become good citizens.

Mr. Speaker, I am very grateful for such an excellent question. I want to briefly mention three points. First, as my colleague is aware, OAS has been increased for people over the age of 75 in light of the very clear evidence that seniors over the age of 75 not only have greater needs, but also lower incomes, and that older women, among others, live in more precarious circumstances for a variety of reasons that are well understood. Second, I want to mention the Canadian dental care plan, which helps approximately 25,000 people in his riding, including several thousand seniors. This represents savings of about $800 a year. I encourage my colleague—whose leader, unfortunately, opposes the Canadian dental care plan—to talk about it at length with the seniors in his riding when he sees them. I am sure he meets with them regularly. The third point is automatic benefits. As I was saying, there are nearly 5.5 million Canadians whose tax returns will be processed automatically, which will maximize the chances for these seniors, for the most part, to receive the benefits they need.

Mr. Speaker, I am always very pleased to hear and even see my colleague from Acadie—Bathurst. As my colleague knows, and as I have seen myself, his constituents really like him. They see him as an excellent MP who is on the ground and always there to advocate for his riding. It is a particularly important riding in northern New Brunswick. The Acadian community needs him, and he is always there to support it, despite all the challenges of serving a region that is a little farther from the major centres. Speaking of the most important programs, I know that roughly 20,000 families in his riding receive the Canada child benefit. It reduces child poverty in his riding by 50%. He has been there to support that measure from the start.

Madam Speaker, I am very grateful for the opportunity to rise today to speak to Bill C‑10, an act respecting the commissioner for modern treaty implementation. This bill seeks to create a new, independent officer of Parliament. It is a way to hold current and future governments accountable for the commitments made under modern treaties with indigenous peoples across the country. It is because of the need for a more consistent approach to modern treaty implementation that we strongly encourage the swift passage of Bill C‑10. I would like to reiterate that modern treaties are legally binding agreements that recognize the rights, priorities and aspirations of indigenous peoples. They aim to support indigenous self-government, establish better frameworks for economic development and environmental management and protection, and promote cultural vitality. Modern treaty implementation is crucial. While significant progress is being made, there are still opportunities to strengthen this implementation. Modern treaty partners have made it clear that Canada could become an even stronger partner and do more to honour agreements and commitments protected under the Constitution. For many years, indigenous partners have driven home the vital importance of proactive federal action in addressing modern treaty challenges. They are not alone. The Auditor General's 2003, 2007 and 2015 reports identified similar areas for improvement in the Canadian government's implementation efforts. One such area of improvement concerns independent oversight and accountability. That is why the bill before us today is so important. The commissioner for modern treaty implementation would be able to help resolve long-standing issues through targeted reports and audits. He or she could also look at specific issues concerning one or more treaties and choose the best path forward. In doing so, the commissioner would highlight opportunities for Canada to strengthen the role of the Canadian government as a treaty partner, which should lead to more sustained federal implementation efforts and improved relationships all around. David Wright, an associate professor at the faculty of law at the University of Calgary, used a very clear analogy before the Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs on March 12. The Auditor General is more like a family doctor, a generalist, while the commissioner will be a specialist whose mission will be precisely to diagnose and address the specific effects of modern treaty implementation. That is a powerful analogy. The commissioner will draw on their specific expertise in modern treaties to ensure that reviews and audits are based on a solid understanding of the spirit and intent of those treaties. The commissioner will have their own office, just like the Auditor General and the Privacy Commissioner. They will not be accountable to any specific department or to the Prime Minister, but will report directly to Parliament. This bill will also provide access to analyses and recommendations from independent experts. Furthermore, over the years, in response to feedback from modern treaty partners, successive governments have worked to strengthen the implementation of modern treaties. In 2015, the Government of Canada adopted the cabinet directive on the federal approach to modern treaty implementation. This measure marked the beginning of an important step toward greater transparency and accountability to help overcome systemic barriers in this regard. In 2023, the Canadian government also adopted Canada's collaborative modern treaty implementation policy. In May 2024, the government announced its intention to create a new officer of Parliament, which I strongly support today. Bill C-10 is a vital means of supporting our relationships with modern treaty partners. We have a duty to uphold our treaty obligations. Bill C-10 responds to more than 20 years of calls for independent oversight and for Canada to act as a stronger partner. This bill is the result of a co-development process and a genuine partnership between our government and modern treaty partners. Modern treaties have the power to strengthen the social, cultural and economic foundations of indigenous communities, thereby fostering more robust local economies, job creation, better infrastructure for everyone and support for clean energy. Currently, 27 modern treaties are in effect with 30 indigenous partners. These agreements cover more than 40% of Canada's territory, 80% of which is in the northern part of the country. In conclusion, we have come a long way, but there is still more we can do to increase transparency and accountability, and to fully honour our commitments to modern treaty partners. That is why we have drafted this bill and why we are calling for its swift passage. That is why it is so important. This bill demonstrates Canada's commitment and dedication and represents a step toward a better future for our important modern treaty partners. It is time for the House to show unity. The implementation of modern treaties is a national imperative. Finally, like others have done, I would like to thank all the strong indigenous voices who paved the way for this bill to be introduced in the House. Their leadership inspires us to keep our promises.

Madam Speaker, I would like to emphasize the importance and insightfulness of this question, which relates specifically to Quebec and the Quebec City region. I would like to emphasize how important my colleague's support is, as well as how important his voice is here in the House. He regularly reminds our colleagues in the Conservative Party that this bill will benefit Canada as a whole. In Quebec, for example, people are talking about the extremely important work that will take place in connection with Churchill Falls. One of our colleagues pointed out that signing a modern treaty with the Cree Nation was a game-changer in Quebec, enabling progress on the construction of vital energy and economic infrastructure. I predict, as he probably does, that this sort of example will also help us work effectively with the indigenous peoples who will be partners in the Churchill Falls project.

Madam Speaker, our colleague is quite right to mention listening. Listening is key to this bill. Over the last 20 years, many indigenous peoples have asked the Canadian government to create this commissioner role. We must listen to what indigenous peoples are asking us to do if we are to work with them in a spirit of respect. I urge my colleague to encourage his fellow Conservative Party members to move forward. People have been waiting for this office for 20 years. We must now take the next step.

Madam Speaker, the member used some deeply meaningful words: transparency, responsibility, accountability, listening and collaboration. All of these are very important if we want to make progress on some of the major projects that the Canadian government is trying to implement. All of these major projects are going to transform our economy, create more, better jobs for our children, young people and others, and lead to a cleaner economy and environment. None of this is possible unless we work respectfully with indigenous peoples and respect their rights specifically. As my colleague mentioned several times today, the purpose of the office of the commissioner for modern treaty implementation is to ensure that the Canadian government has all the tools, including oversight tools, to ensure that its relations with indigenous peoples support other federal initiatives.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to have heard my colleague's views. He emphasized the importance of investing in Canada and Quebec to grow our economy and create more and better jobs. He really emphasized investment and the importance of investment. However, he concluded by saying that Canada, unlike other countries around the world, would be unable to do this properly while following appropriate rules of governance. Why is he so skeptical about Canada's ability to perform as well as other countries?

Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate the 250,000 residents of the greater Quebec City and Chaudière-Appalaches region who are now covered by the new Canadian dental care plan, helping them to save an average of $900 a year on the cost of dental care. I would also like to congratulate the staff and students of the faculty of dentistry at Laval University, who will be using an additional investment of nearly $4 million to further improve access to dental care in our beautiful region. This investment will fund new placements in social dentistry at the SPOT clinic in Quebec City's lower town, as well as at a new clinic on the south shore. It will also mean placements can be offered in private practices located in underserved areas of the greater Quebec City region. I would like to once again thank and congratulate all the partners involved in this important project.

Mr. Speaker, on April 2, we announced that the first Build Canada Homes project in Quebec will be built on the iconic Îlot Saint-Vincent-de-Paul site at the top of Côte d'Abraham, right in the heart of Quebec City. This project includes 151 community housing units, a child care centre with 80 spots, and a public plaza featuring gardens and scenic views, which will breathe new life into and enhance the value of a unique site at the junction of Old Quebec and the beautiful Saint-Jean-Baptiste neighbourhood. I would like to congratulate the members of the Saint-Jean-Baptiste citizens' committee, the Old Quebec citizens' committee, and the many partners involved in this project, including Action-Habitation, La Bouée, and the Patrotôt solidarity co-op for their collaboration on this initiative, which is a source of pride for our city and will continue to be so for generations to come.

Mr. Speaker, filing a tax return is essential for receiving benefits such as the new Canada groceries and essentials benefit, which can provide up to $900 for a single individual and up to $2,000 for a family of four this year. This new benefit will support 12 million low- and modest-income individuals to offset increased expenses related to food inflation. I want to say a big thank you to the dozens of volunteers at Patro Laval, in my riding, who will be providing nearly 3,000 people with a free and confidential tax filing service until April 23. I also want to thank the Government of Canada for supporting this important initiative from Patro Laval and many other organizations across the country through the community volunteer income tax program.

Madam Speaker, I was very interested to listen to our colleague's speech and also to compare it to what we heard yesterday on the topic of Indonesia, when we heard some Conservative voices saying that we were spending or wasting too much of members' time talking about trade. Does the member believe we are spending too much time in the House investing in trade relationships and building a stronger economy?

Madam Speaker, I am very pleased to hear that the member points to the fact that we need to double our exports to non-U.S. destinations in the next few years. He also knows that Canada has what the world needs in that context. I am surprised, however, to hear his leader say that the PM needs to stay at home; that if he were the PM, he would stay at home; that we should not travel to meet global and business leaders who will be investing billions of dollars into our economy and building a stronger Canada for all workers; and that we should not engage and meet people where they are in the world. Does the member agree with that point of view of his leader?

Mr. Speaker, I feel good about two things that my colleague mentioned in his remarks. The first is that we are once again debating a free trade agreement that is excellent for jobs across Canada, including in Quebec. The second is that the Canadian government and the Prime Minister are successfully working on economic security and national security. He rightly mentioned the aerospace industry. Is he also aware that this work is having a significant impact on the shipbuilding industry in the greater Quebec City area? The Davie shipyard and its thousand suppliers are creating a major shipbuilding hub in the greater Quebec City area because of this combination of national security and economic security.

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the third report of the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security in relation to Bill C-8, an act respecting cyber security, amending the Telecommunications Act and making consequential amendments to other acts. The committee has studied the bill and has decided to report the bill back to the House with amendments.

Mr. Speaker, unfortunately, over the past few years, I have had little opportunity to observe my colleague's work at the committee. However, listening to him, it is clear that he has worked very hard and very effectively for the people in his riding. I am very pleased to hear him talk about the solid benefits of this agreement for farmers, including those in his riding. I would like to ask him the following question. We know very well that there is no such thing as an ideal world; there is only the world as it is. There is no such thing as an ideal agreement; there are only agreements that could be signed. Given all the criticism that has been levelled at the agreement, does he still believe, ultimately, that it is a good agreement and a good deal?

Mr. Speaker, between February 14 and 22, Quebec City really came alive thanks to the Sun Life Pentathlon des neiges, the largest winter sports event in the country. For over 20 years, this event has served to showcase Quebec's capital region thanks to a dedicated team, hundreds of volunteers and strong partners. I would like to acknowledge the spokespersons for this year's event, Olympic champion Alex Harvey and Lyne Bessette, a great athlete and former member for Brome—Missisquoi. I am also proud that Canada Economic Development has been supporting this event for several years now and has been helping to promote it across the country. To wrap up, I would like to sincerely thank the founder of the event, Jean-Charles Ouellet, who was also my high school gym teacher and whose vision of shared enjoyment through physical activity continues to inspire our community.

Mr. Speaker, we have come a long way since 2015. In 2015, when we were elected, the former government had unfortunately excluded every segment from Quebec City to Montreal from any projects, including a high-speed rail or even a high-frequency rail. It is now 2026. What could my colleague, the Minister of Transport, say to my colleagues from Quebec and Quebec City about the importance of this high-speed rail for the Quebec City region?

Mr. Speaker, I would like to once again acknowledge the great wisdom, great tact and nuance that my colleague from neighbouring Québec Centre regularly brings to the table. Given everything he said about the importance of being sensitive to what happened over 50 years ago and supporting those who were affected, I would still like to ask him clearly what he thinks about high-speed rail for Quebec City and for his riding in particular.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to begin by recognizing the honour and the sensitivity of my colleague on the other side of the House. I say that with all sincerity. I think he spoke from the heart, and we felt that very clearly. Having said that, I believe that he may have misunderstood or at least misrepresented the scope of the consultations Alto is undertaking, which are just getting under way. Apparently, some 26,000 people have already had the opportunity to give their opinion. Over the coming weeks, consultations will be taking place at various times and in several cities, including in Quebec City on February 11 and 12. How can anyone say that high-speed rail is being built without consultation?

Mr. Speaker, again, I want to commend my colleague and the other members who have risen for speaking plainly and with great sensitivity. We must indeed acknowledge the mistakes of the past. However, it is now 2026, and we have learned from those mistakes. There are now ways of doing things with sound, established consultation processes. Rather than saying that there is no consultation, does my colleague not believe that we should instead encourage our constituents to participate in this important consultation exercise?

Mr. Speaker, I thank our colleague for his excellent statement on the importance of this project. My colleague made a suggestion. He asked how we could work together to encourage people to take part in the consultation process, instead of saying that there is no consultation, or that voicing one's opinion is pointless. Instead of saying that and discouraging people from sharing their opinions, how can we collectively encourage all Quebeckers in the House of Commons to encourage public participation in this major project?

Mr. Speaker, I thank our colleague for speaking with such wisdom, sensitivity, respect and dignity. She clearly said that everyone here today agrees on the trauma experienced by the people of Mirabel. She also said that Minister Garneau had already recognized this just a few years ago. She also mentioned that it is 2026 and that we know how to do things better now. What would she suggest that all members of the House of Commons, including members of the Bloc Québécois, do to encourage people to participate in the consultation process on this major project, the Alto high-speed rail project?

Mr. Speaker, I believe that the member likely listened carefully to what was said this morning and early this afternoon. As he rightly pointed out, he heard several concerns, memories, recollections and stories of all the trauma experienced by the people of Mirabel. However, he may not have listened to everything that was said. For example, it was said that members of the House are encouraged to invite their own constituents to participate in the extensive consultation process currently under way in Quebec and, presumably, in their own ridings. How does he plan to encourage the people in his riding to participate in this consultation process?

Mr. Speaker, I think my colleague understands and clearly noted some of the benefits of the Alto project: the equivalent of 100,000 cars being taken off the road; a 50% reduction in travel time; greater reliability; higher frequency; a more comfortable journey; and the creation of 51,000 good jobs. Already, 26,000 people have participated in the consultation process that is only just beginning. How does my colleague plan to encourage other people, including those in his riding, to take part in this consultation?

Mr. Speaker, on January 1, my friend and canoeing and camping buddy, André Provencher, left us far too soon after a courageous battle with cancer. Mr. Provencher was passionate about local news and a staunch defender of Quebec culture and he held executive positions at TVA, Télé‑Québec and Cogeco. He also launched La Presse Télé, which produced popular television series such as Les Parent, Les chefs! and En direct de l'univers. He led the digital transformation of the daily newspapers Le Nouvelliste and Le Soleil, and he oversaw the creation of the Fonds Capital Culture Québec. Passionate, honest and loyal in friendship and in business, André knew how to spot people with talent and help them to succeed. On behalf of all members of the House, I want to offer our deepest condolences to his wife, Rachel, and his sons, Paul, Bruno and François.

Mr. Speaker, today I would like to pay tribute to all those who helped create the new permanent exhibition “Growing Up with the Ursulines” at the Pôle culturel du Monastère des Ursulines in Quebec City, in the beautiful riding of Québec Centre. The result of more than four years of work, this exhibition pays tribute to 400 years of educational and social engagement by the Ursuline Sisters, women who have left a profound mark on the social, cultural and intellectual development of the greater Quebec City area and across the country. The exhibition “Growing Up with the Ursulines” features six thematic rooms and more than 180 objects and archives, including the founding document signed by King Louis XIII. It shows visitors how these visionary women helped advance the status of women in Quebec City and Quebec. I invite all members of the House, as well as everyone listening to us, to come visit this exhibition and experience the exceptional legacy of the Ursuline Sisters.

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the second report of the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security in relation to Bill C-12, an act respecting certain measures relating to the security of Canada's borders and the integrity of the Canadian immigration system and respecting other related security measures. The committee has studied the bill and has decided to report the bill back to the House with amendments.

Mr. Speaker, today I would like to highlight the outstanding work of Craque-Bitume, an urban ecology collective that, for the past 14 years, has helped Quebec City residents embrace an eco-conscious lifestyle. Craque-Bitume is known for its urban and community garden initiatives, its environmental education workshops, and its impressive community composting network that now boasts 34 sites, 18 of which are located in the beautiful riding of Québec Centre. I would like to recognize the commitment of the organization's many volunteers, including Ms. De Haan, who so passionately supports Craque-Bitume's work. My congratulations to Craque-Bitume and all its partners for their leadership and their collaboration. They are making the people of Québec Centre so proud.

Mr. Speaker, I listened with some attention to the member's speech. I wonder how someone from the Conservative Party could vote against a bill that reduces middle-income taxes for 22 million Canadians. How is that possible? In her speech, she said she wants taxes to be removed on new homes for new buyers, and that is exactly what the bill does. How is it possible that she would vote against such a bill?

Mr. Speaker, I have the good fortune of sitting in front of my esteemed colleague, who is an academic and economist by profession. I was a little troubled by his comments on the possible role of a trained economist in politics. The current Prime Minister is a world-class economist. He was the governor of two central banks. I do not know of anyone else in the history of Canada, or perhaps anywhere else, who has done the same. This is someone who has had an international career and who knows how finance and economics work. My colleague seems to be saying that someone like that who enters politics is not a good politician by definition. I am a little confused, because he and I have somewhat similar backgrounds. We are not professional politicians. We have done other things in life. Why would a trained economist not have a place as a politician in Canada?

Mr. Speaker, I was very impressed to hear my esteemed colleague from Madawaska—Restigouche say that last summer, he visited 200 places where people had found jobs through the Canada summer jobs program. I wish him good luck and lots of fun next summer, because the program is increasing the number of funded positions from 70,000 to 100,000. What does he think about the impact this program is having on young people and community organizations in his riding?

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of Bill C-4, the making life more affordable for Canadians act. The bill would enact three important measures designed to make life more affordable for Canadians at a time when a range of economic headwinds are combining to pose significant affordability challenges. First, we would cut taxes for 22 million Canadians; second, we would eliminate the GST for most first-time homebuyers for new homes; and third, we would cancel the consumer carbon price while keeping industrial pricing regimes in place and, in fact, reinforcing them so we can make life more affordable for Canadians while tackling the existential challenge of climate change. In a rapidly changing and uncertain world, Canada's government is focused on what we can control. We are protecting our communities and our country, we are building our economy with major projects and millions more homes, and we are empowering Canadians with lower costs and new opportunities to help them get ahead. Bill C-4 is part of our government's plan to ensure that every Canadian has more control over building their own future. Bill C-4 would lower taxes for 22 million Canadians. In practical terms, this means that the tax rate on the first personal income tax bracket would drop from 15% to 14%. In 2025, this first tax bracket applies to the first $57,375 of taxable income. For individuals whose taxable income is below that cut-off, their entire income tax will be reduced. The taxes of people whose income is above the cut-off will be reduced on the first $57,375. In total, this represents a tax reduction of up to $420 per taxpayer in 2026. For a family with two taxpayers, it would be up to $840. After the bill was introduced, the Canada Revenue Agency updated its source deduction tables for the second half of the 2025 tax year. That means the reduced tax rate is already in effect for many Canadians. Let me remind the House that the tax cut specified in the bill came into effect on July 1. Ultimately, because the one percentage point cut in the lowest tax rate would come into effect halfway through the year, the full-year tax rate for 2025 would be 14.5%, while the full-year rate for 2026 and future tax years would be 14%. However, for that to happen, Bill C-4 must be passed. This is important support for Canadians. It is a very good reason to vote in favour of the bill. Another good reason to vote for Bill C-4 is a GST rebate that would help Canadians access the housing market. Under the law, the GST generally applies to the sale of new or substantially renovated housing. Bill C-4 would eliminate the GST, or the federal portion of the HST, for first-time homebuyers on a new home valued up to $1 million. It would also allow first-time homebuyers to reduce the amount of tax they pay on a new home valued between $1 million and $1.5 million. The first-time homebuyers GST rebate included in Bill C-4 would save Canadians up to $50,000 on a new home. It would allow more young people and families to enter the housing market. Moreover, this measure could incentivize first-time homebuyers to buy newly built homes. In turn, this increased demand would encourage developers to build more homes, which would have a positive effect on housing supply. Expanding the housing stock is indeed key to addressing housing affordability. Canada has been in the midst of housing crisis for several years now. Our government has a plan to double the pace of residential construction over the next decade. Any policy that can contribute to that is welcome. There are others, such as Build Canada Homes, which is investing in and will invest in the renovation and construction of many social and deeply affordable housing units across the country. The third thing Bill C-4 would do would be to remove the consumer carbon price from law following its cancellation back in April. Large emitters will still be subject to pollution pricing, as that is an important and central pillar of Canada's plan to build both a strong economy and a greener future. Industrial carbon pricing systems encourage investment in technologies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Our government has been very clear. Pollution pricing for large emitters will remain a key part of our plan to build a strong economy and a greener economy. In conclusion, the bill proposes three clear measures that will help Canadians in very concrete ways. First, there is a tax cut that will put more money in the pockets of Canadian workers, up to $420 per taxpayer and up to $840 for a family of two, impacting 22 million taxpayers across the country. Second, there is a GST rebate for first-time homebuyers purchasing a new home. This represents savings of up to $50,000 on the initial cost of purchasing a new home to help first-time buyers and young people in particular enter the housing market. Third, there is the removal of consumer carbon pricing from law. I urge all members of the House to vote in favour of this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I welcome the new member and obviously commend his important work. However, I would warn him about the things that previous members of the Conservative Party have done over the last few years. The first thing Conservative MPs did in 2016 was vote against the middle-income tax cut at that time. Another thing that other Conservative MPs did, just a few years later, was to again vote against a middle-income tax cut. That was around 2020 or 2021. Therefore, I invite him to consider very carefully how he will vote on Bill C-4 so that future Conservative MPs can base their future votes on his soon-to-be-known behaviour.

Mr. Speaker, my hon. friend knows very well what has taken place over the past few months. A payment was promised to all Canadians in the provinces that participated in the consumer carbon pricing regime, which did not apply to Quebec or British Columbia. The regime no longer exists. Therefore, the rebate does not exist either. That has been very well understood, I think, by everyone who has been following the situation over the past few months.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from Beauport—Limoilou, who is now a Liberal member from the greater Quebec City area and who has increased the number of Liberal members from the greater Quebec City area by 50%. It is not complicated. The Conservatives and the Bloc Québécois voted against the Canadian dental care plan and the Canada child benefit. On top of that, the Conservatives called the national school food plan wasteful and trash. They also voted against child care. These are examples of measures that are very important to the people in my riding, and it is unfortunate to have to repeat once again that the Conservative members have systematically opposed them.

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the member's input, which suggests that she will vote in favour of Bill C-4 because she seems to be supporting the removal of GST on the purchase of new homes for first-time homebuyers. That is excellent news. We look forward to confirming that vote soon in the House. It is great that she supports the measure, and we look forward to seeing that in the House through her vote.

Mr. Speaker, I am grateful and proud of my colleague's speech. I heard her talk about the Canada summer jobs program. I believe that very few members of the House recognize that the proposed budget would increase the number of jobs under the Canada summer jobs program from 70,000 to 100,000 next summer. Could my colleague talk about the impact of this increase in the number of jobs for young people, for community organizations and for small and medium-sized businesses in her riding?

Mr. Speaker, at the recent G7 Leaders' Summit, Canada clearly stated that it would be a leader in the global race for critical minerals. Critical minerals are an essential part of manufacturing electric vehicles, clean technologies and information technologies. Controlling critical minerals also means ensuring good jobs for the middle class and economic security for our country. Can the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources tell us how the Canadian government is asserting its leadership in critical minerals for the benefit of Quebeckers and all other Canadians?

Mr. Speaker, let me start by saying that I will be sharing my speaking time with my distinguished colleague from Bourassa. I am very pleased to have this opportunity to explain what the government is currently doing to build safe communities and to prevent crime, as well as our plans for the future. Canadians expect the government to be smart about fighting crime. I want to thank and commend the many mayors, provincial partners, and provincial and municipal police forces for their ongoing collaborative efforts to reduce gun and gang crime. We are all responsible for making things better, and we all want to make things better. That is why, in recent years, the Canadian government has made significant improvements to Canada's firearms laws. New firearms licensing requirements have come into force, maximum penalties for firearms trafficking and smuggling have been increased, and many new harm reduction tools have been put in place. We will keep working to ensure that Canada's firearms regime is responsible and effective, supports the safe use of firearms by law-abiding owners and protects our Canadian communities from the devastating effects of gun violence. Effective enforcement and operational co-operation are also essential in the fight against gun violence. Investments have also been made to improve law enforcement and border security services. This includes funding for the RCMP to increase its capacity to trace crime guns and enhance anti-smuggling activities, as well as funding to the CBSA to strengthen border controls in order to prevent the smuggling of firearms into the country. We will also continue to strengthen co-operation with key U.S. partners, including through the cross-border firearms task force. We know that gun violence is a tragic reality across the country and that it is often linked to street gangs. For too long, the roots of this violence have been neglected. The Canadian government has made considerable efforts to change this situation, because everyone deserves to feel safe in their communities, and that sense of safety is shattered every time a violent crime occurs. Our efforts must start there, in the community. Grassroots efforts, meaning community-led initiatives, can help address the social conditions that lead to criminal behaviour. Getting tough on crime is not enough; we also have to be smart and strategic about our approach. We need to get to the root cause of the problem. In the community, this is done by addressing the social determinants of crime. These are conditions that may lead individuals to engage in violent and criminal behaviour. Our government firmly believes that any solution to gun and gang violence must combine prevention and intervention efforts. In 2022, for example, the Department of Public Safety launched the building safer communities fund, which provided $250 million directly to municipalities and indigenous communities to strengthen gang prevention programs and address the social conditions that give rise to crime. This money supports initiatives that tackle the root causes of gun crime by supporting community-led projects that address violence among youth involved in or at risk of joining gangs. The fund uses data, including demographic data and crime statistics, to direct investments where they will have the greatest impact. This targeted approach ensures that the most at-risk communities receive timely support that they can invest in protecting the safety of their residents. To support communities, $391 million will go directly to the provinces and territories as part of the gun and gang violence action fund, and $10 million will be allocated to the youth gang prevention fund. That is in addition to more than $40 million per year for the national crime prevention strategy, which supports community efforts to prevent youth involvement in crime and tackle known risk factors. In June 2022, the Government of Canada also tabled the federal framework to reduce recidivism, which aims to break the cycle of reoffending, support rehabilitation and make our communities safer for everyone. Over the past few years, the Government of Canada has also introduced reforms to simplify unnecessarily complex or redundant bail rules that caused unfortunate and detrimental delays in the criminal justice system without necessarily improving public safety. Canadian bail laws are very clear. A person must be detained while awaiting trial if their release would pose a public safety risk or undermine confidence in the administration of justice. That said, we are determined to continue working with the provinces and territories to make responsible and effective changes to the bail system, where warranted. Similarly, our partners know as well as we do that when it comes to preventing and combatting gun and gang violence, there is still much work to be done together. We are hopeful that both sides of the House can work together.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague for his pertinent and thoughtful comments. The key word here is “thoughtful”. The measures we put in place must be thoughtful measures. Sadly, some of the measures implemented by the Harper government were poorly thought out. They led to court challenges, sometimes reaching the Supreme Court. These measures were struck down, which had a huge impact on delays. My colleague is correct in pointing out that there may be other ways to reduce delays. When we reduce delays we also reduce costs, backlogs and injustices that directly affect victims.

Mr. Speaker, we all agree that we want to reform the bail system. That is why, as the Prime Minister said again today, we will very shortly be bringing the House a proposal to reform the bail system that will achieve three known objectives. The first objective is to combat gun violence and organized crime to make it harder for violent repeat offenders to get bail. The second objective is to increase the penalties for violent repeat offenders, particularly those involved in organized crime, break-ins, auto theft and human trafficking. The third objective is to reduce court delays, as our colleague from Montcalm was saying. Reducing these delays warrants careful consideration of this bail reform proposal.

Mr. Speaker, in fact this calls for the support of all members of Parliament on both sides of the House. When it comes, it will come quickly. We need to arrive at a consensus. I think we all share the same objective, a consensus based on reason, efficiency and clear guidance on the part of experts. I am confident. I look forward to broad bipartisan support for the bail reform bill, which is going to come soon.