Colleagues, my apologies, I could not hear.
The hon. Minister of Jobs and Families.
House of Commons Hansard #35 of the 45th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was commissioner.
House of Commons Hansard #35 of the 45th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was commissioner.
This summary is computer-generated. Usually it’s accurate, but every now and then it’ll contain inaccuracies or total fabrications.
Commissioner for Modern Treaty Implementation Act Second reading of Bill C-10. The bill establishes an independent Commissioner for Modern Treaty Implementation to ensure federal accountability for treaty obligations. Liberals argue it is a vital, co-developed step for reconciliation, trust, and economic prosperity, urging quick passage. Conservatives oppose it as unnecessary bureaucracy, stating it duplicates the Auditor General's work, lacks enforcement power, and highlights the government's failure to sign new treaties. The Bloc supports the principle but seeks stronger enforcement powers. The Green Party urges swift, non-partisan passage, emphasizing Indigenous partners' long-standing advocacy. 56100 words, 7 hours in 2 segments: 1 2.
Canada-U.S. RelationsOral Questions
The Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia
Colleagues, my apologies, I could not hear.
The hon. Minister of Jobs and Families.
Patty Hajdu Liberal Thunder Bay—Superior North, ON
Mr. Speaker, Canadians were under no illusion that this would be easy.
What they wanted was a leader who would be truthful with them, who would stand up for them and who would make sure that the government they selected would have their back in difficult times. That is exactly what we are doing, whether it is investing in our steel industry, supporting skilled trades or building major projects, this government has the back of Canadian workers, something I do not think they could say about the opposite party.
Jasraj Singh Hallan Conservative Calgary East, AB
Mr. Speaker, Canadians were promised one thing, but the bait and switch left them a leader who is elbows and knees down now, and the Liberals cannot get their story straight on the economy. First they blamed Trump's tariffs for having the fastest-shrinking economy in the G7. Now they claim they have the best deal on tariffs with the U.S. It does not add up. Since the Prime Minister took office, he has doubled the deficit and chased $52 billion of investment into the U.S., and now another $1 trillion. Now 86,000 Canadians have lost their jobs.
Why? Is it because of the Prime Minister's failed trade diplomacy, his failed economic policy or both?
Wayne Long LiberalSecretary of State (Canada Revenue Agency and Financial Institutions)
Mr. Speaker, when Canadians compared leaders, they had a choice between a world-class leader with world-class economic business experience versus a leader with none. On November 4, we are going to table a disciplined budget that is going to create jobs.
If we want to talk about job creation, the only job the leader opposite has ever created was the one he left open for the member for Carleton in the last election.
Shelby Kramp-Neuman Conservative Hastings—Lennox and Addington—Tyendinaga, ON
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister is a man of sharp contrasts. He vowed to deliver the strongest G7 economy, and we have the weakest. He promised thousands of new jobs, and 86,000 Canadians have lost theirs. He said he would negotiate a win with the United States; instead, weak negotiations were dressed up as a victory. Liberals talk a big game about having the best deal. It is quite the contrary.
Is this failure the result of economic mismanagement, diplomatic incompetence or both?
Patty Hajdu LiberalMinister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario
Mr. Speaker, talking about incompetence, for a member opposite not to understand why CUSMA gives us the best deal in the world is sheer incompetence in Canadian politics.
I will say that this government is solely focused on the success of Canadians, whether it is investing in the kinds of projects that will create great jobs, making sure people have the skills to be able to take those jobs or supporting Canadians in good times and in bad. Canadians know that the Liberal government has their back, and they are really not very sure about those guys.
Gérard Deltell Conservative Louis-Saint-Laurent—Akiawenhrahk, QC
Mr. Speaker, today is the day of reckoning for the Prime Minister. He is at the White House to deliver on the signature promise he made to Canadians a few months ago, which was to bring home a big win for Canada against the United States.
Let us remember that he promised to end the tariffs on autos, aluminum, steel, softwood lumber and the Buy American Act. They were all supposed to be eliminated. All that was actually supposed to have been done by July 21, but it did not work out. What actually happened? Concessions, concessions and more concessions.
Canadians deserve better. Can the government explain why the Prime Minister has not delivered?
Carlos Leitão LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Industry
Mr. Speaker, we are dealing with a very complex situation. Our best course of action is to not make a bad deal. We are not going to be hasty about anything with President Trump, who is unpredictable.
As of now, we still have the free trade agreement with the United States. Eighty-five per cent of our exports enter the United States tariff-free and tax-free.
We will negotiate the best deal in the interest of all Canadians.
Gérard Deltell Conservative Louis-Saint-Laurent—Akiawenhrahk, QC
Mr. Speaker, I have the deepest respect for the parliamentary secretary. When he was with the provincial government, he balanced the budget. Today, after only six months by the Prime Minister's side, the debt has doubled. That is his administration's record.
Yes, we want a good deal, but he was elected six months ago on a promise that we were going to get a real deal. He even promised to deliver it by July 21. Six months later, we have not made a single gain and new concessions keep being made.
What can Canadians expect from a government that does nothing but make concessions?
Carlos Leitão LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Industry
Mr. Speaker, Canadians can expect a government that is going to negotiate the best possible deal for all Canadians in every region and in every sector.
Right now, 85% of our exports enter the United States tariff-free. We are not going to rush into negotiating a bad deal. We are going to get the best possible deal in due time.
Marilène Gill Bloc Côte-Nord—Kawawachikamach—Nitassinan, QC
Mr. Speaker, allow me to quote postal workers: “Repeated government interventions in our dispute have completely ruined...negotiations. Every time the Government has stepped in, it has only made reaching new collective agreements that much harder. With every intervention, the Government has pushed the parties farther apart.”
Ottawa created this conflict and is solely responsible for the disruption of postal services.
Does the minister realize how much damage he has caused by trying to dismantle a public service?
Joël Lightbound LiberalMinister of Government Transformation
Mr. Speaker, once again, I am absolutely flabbergasted by that question. This is not about dismantling a public service. It is about saving a public service that, right now and for the past seven years, has been operating at a loss to the point where Canada Post is currently losing $10 million a day.
The labour dispute the member is referring to has been going on for 20 months. The serious, responsible thing to do is to act immediately to transform Canada Post in order to put this vital institution back on a path to financial viability. That is exactly what we are doing.
Marie-Hélène Gaudreau Bloc Laurentides—Labelle, QC
Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Government Transformation likes to remind us that there was a strike at Canada Post a year ago.
He keeps repeating that the government is losing $10 million a day with Canada Post, but he forgets that during last year's strike, independent businesses criticized the government's inaction because the strike was costing them $100 million a day.
By causing the postal services to grind to a halt, does the minister realize the damage he is doing to our small businesses, our regions, and our most vulnerable citizens?
Joël Lightbound LiberalMinister of Government Transformation
Mr. Speaker, I know that both the union and management are committed to the financial viability of Canada Post. Clearly, the Bloc Québécois is not committed to the financial viability of Canada Post. For the Bloc Québécois, it is acceptable for Canada Post to lose $10 million a day. For us, it is not.
We are asking both the union and management to come to an agreement so that this institution, which is so important to the country, can find a path to financial sustainability. It is simply unacceptable for it to lose so much money and for Canadians to foot the bill.
Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands—Rideau Lakes, ON
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister promised a good deal for Canadians by July, but we have seen 86,000 Canadian workers lose their jobs. This includes 100 families in Maitland, as Invista sent its jobs down to the U.S. It includes 35 families in Brockville, as steel tariffs crush the operations at Douglas Barwick and put more jobs on the line.
Canadians cannot feed their families on the empty promises they are hearing across the way today or from the Prime Minister. When will he deliver that good deal for Canadians he promised by July?
Ryan Turnbull LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance and National Revenue and to the Secretary of State (Canada Revenue Agency and Financial Institutions)
Mr. Speaker, it is slightly ironic that the Conservatives are lecturing us about protecting jobs. While the opposition leader fought all summer to protect his job, we were standing up to protect Canadian jobs. We have offered workforce re-skilling for 50,000 workers. A strategic response fund of $5 billion will provide flexible financing to help firms adapt to tariffs. We have launched and moved forward on a buy Canadian policy, liquidity relief, a regional tariff response initiative and a remissions framework.
All of these things demonstrate to Canadians who is going to stand up for their—
EmploymentOral Questions
Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands—Rideau Lakes, ON
Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the 86,000 Canadians who lost their jobs, how is that going for them? I want to know. As Canada has the fastest-shrinking economy in the G7, with $52 billion of net investment fleeing Canada, we want to know this: What is their plan?
Canadians cannot feed their families with these empty promises. The Prime Minister promised that deal. Instead, he is down in Washington, gushing over Donald Trump as investment flees our country at a record pace.
What are they doing for Canadians who are out of work?
Ryan Turnbull LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance and National Revenue and to the Secretary of State (Canada Revenue Agency and Financial Institutions)
Mr. Speaker, in the famous words of Helen Keller, pathetic is the man “who has sight, but no vision”. I would suggest to Canadians that the Conservative Party has no vision for the future of Canada's economy.
This party got elected on a mandate to build Canada strong and protect Canadian jobs, and that is exactly what we are doing.
Adam Chambers Conservative Simcoe North, ON
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister promised he would negotiate a grand security and economic deal with the Americans, and then went on to make concession after concession, with little to show for it. He cancelled the DST. He cancelled reciprocal tariffs. He withdrew complaints on softwood lumber. Now, he is gushing over the President of the U.S., calling him a “transformative” leader once again. What does Canada have to show for it?
When will the Prime Minister keep his promise to Canadians and secure a deal with the Americans?
Wayne Long LiberalSecretary of State (Canada Revenue Agency and Financial Institutions)
Mr. Speaker, while the Conservative leader was busy this summer trying to get back the only job he has ever had, we criss-crossed the country, listening to Canadians. We got feedback from Canadians. On November 4, we are going to table a disciplined budget that is going to spend less, invest more and create thousands and thousands of good-paying jobs. This is what a government that is going to build Canada strong looks like.
Adam Chambers Conservative Simcoe North, ON
Mr. Speaker, he said a “disciplined budget”. The deficit has doubled. Almost 100,000 Canadians are now out of work. The government still does not have a deal with the Americans. Auto plants are being mothballed, manufacturing is slowing, $54 billion in investments have left this country and tariffs are higher today than when the Prime Minister took office.
When will he deliver on his promise to secure a deal with the Americans?
Wayne Long LiberalSecretary of State (Canada Revenue Agency and Financial Institutions)
Mr. Speaker, as we on this side go door to door, what we are hearing back from Canadians is crystal clear. Canadians chose. They compared a leader with world class experience to a leader who has never had a job outside the House of Commons.
We stand with our Prime Minister. Canadians stand with our Prime Minister. We are going to build the strongest, most resilient economy in the G7 and make it an economy that Canadians can be proud of.
Jason Groleau Conservative Beauce, QC
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister had promised to resolve the issue of U.S. tariffs by July 21. Today, not only did he fail to keep his promise, but the situation is getting worse. On October 14, Canadian softwood lumber will be hit with another tariff increase, bringing the total duty to 45%.
In Beauce and across the country, our market is struggling. Our businesses are suffering while the government sits on its hands. The Prime Minister himself said that he would score us a big win, but he just keeps losing.
Will the Prime Minister keep his promise to get all U.S. tariffs removed?
Carlos Leitão LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Industry
Mr. Speaker, I would like to remind everyone in the House that 85% of Canada's exports to the United States enter the U.S. tariff- and duty-free. As for the other exports that are affected by specific tariffs, we are working on this.
We are protecting businesses and supporting them during this transition process. We will always be there to support businesses, particularly in the regions.