Debates of Oct. 27th, 2025

Citizenship Act

[Xavier Barsalou-Duval, Bloc, Pierre-Boucher—Les Patriotes—Verchères, QC]

Mr. Speaker, my colleague was quite right to point out the factor of the unknown. As the minister said, we have no idea how many new citizens this law will create. In this context, it appears that the committee was wise to ask for a report to be tabled in the House or, at the very least, in committee, to indicate how many people would be affected every year by this new law.

I would like to know whether my colleague sees this as important and whether he heard the government say that it would honour that request.

[Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Bloc, Lac-Saint-Jean, QC]

Mr. Speaker, it is ridiculous that the government will not tell us how many people are currently affected by this law and will obtain citizenship. Worse still, after this bill passes, the government does not want to tell us how many people will be affected year after year. The government is allergic to accountability, no matter what the issue is. It is the opposite of Midas, who turns everything he touches into gold. The government turns everything into a word I will not say.

This government has a real problem with being accountable to the people. No one understands why, since it is the government's duty to be accountable to the public. Every time the government is asked for a report or accountability, it buries its head in the sand like an ostrich. This government is truly shameful when it comes to being accountable to the people.

Canadian Farmers

[Tim Louis, Liberal, Kitchener—Conestoga, ON]

Mr. Speaker, as the vibrant colours of autumn signal the end of harvest, I want to take a moment to recognize the incredible farmers in Kitchener—Conestoga and across our country, whose dedication helps feed us all.

From the fields of Wellesley and Wilmot to the barns and greenhouses of Woolwich, farmers work tirelessly, feeding our families, fuelling our economy and stewarding the land with care and resilience.

While the fall harvest marks a seasonal milestone for many, the work of farming never truly stops. Whether it is planning, caring for livestock or managing operations, our farmers continue their vital work year-round. Therefore, I thank all our farmers for their hard work, their resilience and their deep care for the land and for us. They make Kitchener—Conestoga proud and Canada strong.

Recognition of Veterans

[Alex Ruff, Conservative, Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound, ON]

Mr. Speaker, this weekend the Billy Bishop Museum hosted the 25th annual Honouring Our Local Veterans ceremony.

To date, 230 local veterans have been honoured. This year, 11 brave men and women were recognized for their service and their sacrifice.

The following are from World War I: Private Percy James Barber, wounded at Vimy Ridge, and Lance Corporal Arthur Simpson Martin, MM, with the RCD.

The following are those from World War II who were killed in action: Private Benjamin Roy Ashkewe, Sergeant Howard Arnold Jones, Lieutenant James Russel Martin, Private Leslie McGregor and Flying Officer Howard Weaver.

The following are those who served but returned home: Corporal Margaret Ruth Ellis, in the RCAF Women's Division, and Sergeant Major William Alexander Spears of the Perth Regiment.

The following are the more recent veterans: Warrant Officer Allan Johnson of the RCR, with tours in Kosovo and Afghanistan, and Chief Warrant Officer Chris Pawliw from the Grey and Simcoe Foresters, with tours in Croatia, Sierra Leone and Afghanistan.

Our veterans are incredible men and women who have served our country and deserve to be remembered for their sacrifices and their contributions to Canada.

Pro patria. Lest we forget.

Gordon Grant

[Wade Grant, Liberal, Vancouver Quadra, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to tell Parliament that I have a lot to celebrate this year. However, my family came together in mourning this summer. My 91-year-old uncle, Gordon Grant, passed away. He was the oldest member of our family.

He comes from a unique background. My grandfather Hong Tim Hing immigrated from China. My grandmother Agnes Grant was a Musqueam member. Gordon was the first mixed Chinese-Musqueam person in our community.

At the age of 20 years old, he became a father to my dad because their father passed away. I never got to meet him.

I know he is a man on whose shoulders I firmly stand today. I would not be who I am without his strong will and determination. He was able to raise five children of his own.

He allowed me to be a proud to be a Canadian of Chinese and Musqueam ancestry. He allowed me to be proud to be a Canadian. We would all be better off with more Uncle Gordies in this country.

[Member spoke in Hul'q'umi'num]

[English]

Sealing Industry

[Jonathan Rowe, Conservative, Terra Nova—The Peninsulas, NL]

Mr. Speaker, whether we talk about the farmers struggling with the canola trade, the steel companies facing tariffs or the auto workers losing 3,000 jobs to the U.S.A., it seems as though all the Liberals are doing is helping Trump build a wall on trade barriers. They never mentioned the trade barriers on our sealing industry in Newfoundland and Labrador.

The seal overpopulation in Atlantic Canada is killing our ecosystem. According to the DFO, a sustainable harvest is around 250,000, yet only 30,000 are being killed each year.

Here are the facts: Each seal eats 11 pounds per day. Collectively, they eat 9.7 billion pounds per year. The entire Atlantic fishery lands less than 2.5 billion pounds.

We need to restore balance to our ecosystem. We need to feed Canadians. We need a Prime Minister who will remove the global trade barriers for seal harvesters in our country.

Huguette Veilleux

[Steeve Lavoie, Liberal, Beauport—Limoilou, QC]

Mr. Speaker, as we celebrate Women's History Month, I want to pay tribute to the outstanding and often unnoticed contribution of one exceptional woman.

Born during World War II, she raised seven children while working alongside her husband day after day on the family farm in the Lower St. Lawrence. Despite her demanding and exhausting days, she found the strength and courage to sit as a board member for a major insurance company for over 26 years, from 1986 to 2012. I need not remind the House that, back then, the number of women sitting on the boards of major corporations could be counted on one hand.

Only recently did her children fully realize that their mother, with remarkable discretion and unwavering determination, had helped blaze new trails for women on the path to a more egalitarian society. Her name was Huguette Veilleux.

I want my mother to know that I am proud to be her son.

Canada-U.S. Relations

[Michelle Rempel, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

Mr. Speaker, lately, there have been a lot of terse words said about Canadian-American relations, so today I would like to try something a little different. For generations, Canada and the U.S. have shared the world's longest undefended border, fought together on the battlefield against evil, maintained strong trade ties and joined our nations through marriages such as mine.

The peace, freedom and prosperity we have shared has helped to bring stability to the world. To continue, we must each safeguard our economies and societies through smart policies, strong militaries and robust protections for our democratic institutions, as well as, frankly, seeking to understand the complexities that each of our nations faces, our hopes and our challenges.

I will do my part by saying to Master Sergeant Jeffrey Scott Garner, Sr., my husband, a proud American to the core, that I love him. I thank him for loving me as I stand for my people while also providing me with important perspectives about his nation.

May we all continue to strive for prosperity and peace between our nations. The free world is counting on us to get it right.

Buffalo Sabres Player

[Mike Kelloway, Liberal, Sydney—Glace Bay, NS]

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Colten Ellis of River Denys, Cape Breton. Recently, Colten made his NHL debut with the Buffalo Sabres, in which he turned aside 26 shots, earned his first NHL win and was named the first star of the game in Buffalo's 4-2 victory over the Red Wings.

Colten's rise from Cape Breton's local rinks to the NHL speaks to his incredible determination and incredible talent, as well as the community that has been behind him from day one. He is showing young athletes across Cape Breton that anything is possible.

On behalf of all Cape Breton hockey fans, I extend heartfelt congratulations to Colten and his family. We are proud of him, and we will be cheering for him every step of the way.

125th Anniversary of Credit Union

[Dominique Vien, Conservative, Bellechasse—Les Etchemins—Lévis, QC]

Mr. Speaker, it being the 125th anniversary of Desjardins Group, it is an honour for me, as a resident of Lévis, to pay tribute to Alphonse and Dorimène Desjardins, founders of what has become the largest co-operative financial group in North America and one of Quebec's largest private employers.

The first caisse populaire, the Caisse populaire de Lévis, was founded in December 1900, when 132 people signed the founding social pact. Since then, Quebeckers have not wavered in their commitment to this institution. With some seven million members and branches throughout the regions, Desjardins is now a key player in Quebec's economic development, as well as an important player elsewhere in Canada and beyond our borders.

I applaud the vision of Alphonse and Dorimène, their enduring values of justice and solidarity, and all the employees who, over the decades, have made Desjardins a co-operative that inspires immense pride. I also applaud Denis Dubois, president and CEO of Desjardins Group, who is with us today in Ottawa.

[Jean-Denis Garon, Bloc, Mirabel, QC]

Mr. Speaker, this year we are celebrating the 125th anniversary of the pride of Quebec: Desjardins Group. Founded in Lévis in 1900 by Alphonse Desjardins, it was the quiet revolution before the Quiet Revolution.

While anglophone banks turned their backs on French Canadians and predatory lending was wreaking havoc, Alphonse Desjardins drew inspiration from the European co-operative model to create a fund for and by the people.

Over the years, credit unions have helped our people, farmers, labourers, gain access to credit, in addition to participating in the birth and growth of several local gems such as Sico, Vachon, Cascades and, of course, Cirque du Soleil.

Today, Desjardins has deep roots in our regions, our villages and our towns. It is a symbol of determination and collective success that reflects the entrepreneurial spirit of the Quebec people.

On behalf of the Bloc Québécois, I invite the House to join me in wishing a fantastic 125th anniversary to Desjardins Group. I raise my glass to 125 more years and beyond.

Homelessness Awareness Night

[Natilien Joseph, Liberal, Longueuil—Saint-Hubert, QC]

Mr. Speaker, this year marks the 27th edition of Homelessness Awareness Night in Longueuil, and the theme was “solidarity for greater dignity”.

This annual event is organized by the Table Itinérance Rive-Sud, bringing together residents, community organizations and institutions to raise awareness about homelessness, challenge prejudices and promote solidarity.

I would like to commend the exceptional work of Gilles Beauregard, the volunteer and community organization coordinator. I would also like to thank everyone who courageously shared their lived experiences. Their commitment reminds us that no one should be left homeless and hopeless.

Homelessness is not inevitable, but addressing it requires compassion, collaboration and action. Together, let us build communities where everyone can live with dignity.

The Budget

[Pat Kelly, Conservative, Calgary Crowfoot, AB]

Mr. Speaker, after 10 years of the Liberal government, Canada has gone from having the world's most prosperous middle class to a country of empty bank accounts, empty refrigerators and unaffordable homes. That is why Conservatives demand an affordable budget, one that cuts the hidden taxes on food, like the industrial carbon tax, the plastics ban and the fuel regulations; one that cuts taxes on work, housing construction, investment and energy, like income taxes and the capital gains tax; and one that stops the inflation tax, the cruellest tax of all, by keeping the deficit under Justin Trudeau's staggering $42.7 billion and by reining in out-of-control spending on bureaucracy, outside consultants, false asylum claimants and especially corporate welfare.

The government has chased half a trillion investment dollars out of Canada and has taken Canada to the bottom of the G7 and the OECD in per capita growth. That is why Conservatives demand that the budget contain a complete reversal of the lost Liberal decade and puts Canadians first.

Serving Scholars Program

[Dominique O'Rourke, Liberal, Guelph, ON]

Mr. Speaker, visiting Ottawa today are two remarkable individuals who founded the University of Guelph's serving scholars program: Dr. John Walsh and Lieutenant Darren Sargent of Guelph's 11th Field Artillery Regiment.

For eight years, the serving scholars program has provided academic accommodations and experiential learning opportunities while fostering a campus culture that values military service. It enables Canadian Armed Forces members to stay in the Reserve Force, grow professionally and gain knowledge that strengthens both their military careers and academic success. Serving scholars reminds us of a simple truth: Those who wear the uniform can also wear the cap and gown, because those who serve our nation deserve every chance to succeed in the classroom.

On behalf of the Parliament of Canada, I thank Dr. Walsh, newly promoted Lieutenant Sargent and all past and current students who have served and studied through the serving scholars program. Their dedication to Canada in uniform, in the classroom and in the community makes us very proud. I thank them for their service.

Affordability Supports

[Kelly DeRidder, Conservative, Kitchener Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, affordability in the Waterloo region has never been worse. Since 2019, monthly visits to Canada's food banks have more than doubled. In the Waterloo region alone, one in eight families is currently accessing food assistance programs just to feed their families, spending $1,350 a month on groceries alone while housing prices are increasing, yet the Liberal government has failed to deliver.

Promises were made, but the supports have never come. Let me quote the Prime Minister: “We will need to do things previously thought impossible at speeds we haven’t seen in generations.” This was during the election. Let me quote him now: “it will take some sacrifices and it will take some time.”

Canadians have sacrificed enough. We need leadership that listens, acts and empowers. It is time to stop rewarding delay and start demanding results, because in the Waterloo region, unaffordability is not just a talking point; it is real.

125th Anniversary of Credit Union

[Mona Fortier, Liberal, Ottawa—Vanier—Gloucester, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I rise in tribute to a remarkable Canadian who once worked right here in the House of Commons as a stenographer. As he listened to debates in the House, Alphonse Desjardins grew aware of the problem of access to credit and the devastating impact of usurious loans.

He undertook a vast study on the co-operative model. Over the course of his research and discussions with numerous European co-operatives, he adapted this model to the context of the day and opened the first credit union in Lévis. Over the past 125 years, Desjardins Group has evolved into the largest financial co-operative in North America, and we owe it a huge debt of gratitude.

I would like to thank Alphonse and Dorimène Desjardins, who left us an essential institution. Desjardins is known across North America for financial solidarity, high capitalization and an unwavering commitment to its 7.8 million members and customers across the country. I also want to give a nod to Denis Dubois, the new president and CEO of Desjardins Group, and wish Desjardins another 125 years of building for the future.

Food Affordability

[Carol Anstey, Conservative, Long Range Mountains, NL]

Mr. Speaker, more than two million visits were made to food banks in March, with twice as many Canadians needing help to eat than in 2019. In a nation as rich in resources as we are, this is unacceptable.

Nearly one in five people who turn to a food bank is employed. They go to work every day and still cannot afford groceries. One third are children. Seniors are showing up in record numbers. Food banks are doing everything they can, but they are being pushed beyond their limits. They are spending more than twice what they did just a few years ago to keep shelves stocked.

Recent reporting shows that grocery prices in Newfoundland and Labrador rose about 4% last year. That may sound small, but for families already stretched thin, it means they go without. In Stephenville, Catherine told my office she buys only what is on sale and that fresh fruit is a luxury. She grows vegetables so she can eat. She does everything right and still falls behind every month.

The time for action is now. Canadians deserve more than excuses.

Women's History Month

[Jean Yip, Liberal, Scarborough—Agincourt, ON]

Mr. Speaker, October is Women's History Month, and it is not over yet. Join me in celebrating all the amazing women and girls across the country, women past and present who have made groundbreaking discoveries in medicine, pioneered innovations in AI, championed in public service and so much more.

On this side of the House, we invest in women's prosperity. We have contributed $7 billion through the women entrepreneurship strategy to support over 400,000 women in launching and scaling up their businesses. On this side of the House, we invest in women's safety. We have contributed over $539 million through the national action plan to end gender-based violence to better protect women and end the cycle of violence. On this side of the House, we invest in women's leadership. Women make up 40% of our Liberal team in Parliament, and we have the largest women's caucus in Canadian history.

We know that when we invest in women, Canada thrives.

The Economy

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, Food Banks Canada released its HungerCount 2025 report today, which shows a 100% increase in the number of people who have to rely on food banks in Canada since the Liberals came to power.

Last year, 39% of the population experienced food insecurity; 53% skipped a meal; 34% went an entire day without eating and 82% of households did not have enough to eat because of the Liberals' inflationary policies.

How many meals will Canadians have to sacrifice because of this Prime Minister's costly budget?

[Steven MacKinnon, Liberal, Minister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, Food Banks Canada has identified four key areas that it says will help address the issue of hunger in Canada. This is a persistent problem that should not exist, but one that we are fighting hard to address. The areas to focus on include benefits for people with disabilities, providing dental care, offering meal programs in schools and supporting the national housing strategy. These are all programs that the Conservatives voted against.

The Leader of the Opposition raises this issue and then votes against any initiative that helps the most disadvantaged people. Shame on him.

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, I am going to paraphrase what Food Banks Canada said in its Hunger Count report. It took decades to reach one million visits to food banks in a month, but just half a decade to more than double that.

Let us talk about the Liberals' programs. They have been in power for 10 years and there are now 700,000 children who need food banks. The Liberals' programs feed bureaucracy, not children.

Will they force Canadians to sacrifice even more meals with their—

[The Speaker, Francis Scarpaleggia]

The hon. Secretary of State for Children and Youth.

[Anna Gainey, Liberal, Secretary of State (Children and Youth)]

Mr. Speaker, I know that Canadians are facing challenges. That is why our government is investing in Canadian families to help them get ahead. This report underscores the help that families receive through the national school food program. We are making it permanent.

We are easing the pressure on families through our investments in dental care, child care services and the Canada child benefit.

According to this report, these measures are essential for taking the pressure off families.

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, Food Banks Canada released its report today, “HungerCount 2025”, showing that the number of Canadians relying on a food bank has more than doubled since the Liberal government took office. It shows that 39% of the population experienced food insecurity, 82% did not have enough to eat, 34% went an entire day without eating, 53% missed a meal to afford something else and 28% went hungry at least once a week. Now the Prime Minister says that Canadians will have to make even more sacrifices.

How many meals will Canadians have to sacrifice for yet another costly Liberal budget?

[Steven MacKinnon, Liberal, Minister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, the Leader of the Opposition is good at throwing all of this stuff out. What he is not good at is reading what the groups on the ground have to say. Of course, there are too many people living in poverty in Canada, but there are significant initiatives being put in place by the government, opposed by the Leader of the Opposition and his party, that were systematically evoked in the report from Food Banks Canada today.

We support these key assistance programs for Canadians. He votes against them and then dares to get up and criticize us for putting in place support for the weakest Canadians.