House of Commons Hansard #23 of the 45th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was c-2.
This summary is computer-generated. Usually it’s accurate, but every now and then it’ll contain inaccuracies or total fabrications.
Criminal Code First reading of Bill C-220. The bill aims to remove immigration status as a factor in sentencing, seeking to end a two-tier practice where non-citizens allegedly receive more lenient sentences for serious crimes. 100 words.
Corrections and Conditional Release Act First reading of Bill C-221. The bill amends the Corrections and Conditional Release Act to provide victims of crime with timely, accurate information on offender sentencing, parole eligibility, movements within the prison system, and ensures their participation at parole hearings. 300 words.
Strong Borders Act Second reading of Bill C-2. The bill strengthens the asylum system and secures Canada's borders by modernizing customs, expanding the Coast Guard's mandate, and combating fentanyl and money laundering. Opposition parties raise concerns about potential infringements on privacy and civil liberties, including mail opening without warrants and cash transaction limits. They also highlight the lack of bail and sentencing reform for violent crimes, while some question the bill's constitutionality. 24500 words, 3 hours.
The Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia
Today, the member for Fort McMurray—Cold Lake will be leading us in the singing of the national anthem.
[Members sang the national anthem]
Doug Eyolfson Liberal Winnipeg West, MB
Mr. Speaker, I rise to offer a tribute to a community advocate and close friend, Paul Stewart.
For years, Paul was a tireless advocate for those affected by prostate cancer and a volunteer and participant in Ride for Dad, an annual motorcycle parade that raises funds for research and has improved treatment for prostate cancer. I have had the privilege of joining Paul and thousands of other riders in Winnipeg on the Ride for Dad on several occasions and can attest to the positive impact Paul had on those around him.
Sadly, Paul died on June 15, less than one year after being diagnosed with prostate cancer. I offer my sincerest condolences to his wife Jane, his son Donald and the numerous extended family members and close friends whose lives will never be the same without him.
Paul has left the world a better place. May his final ride be easy and may the road stretch far and wide.
Andrew Lawton Conservative Elgin—St. Thomas—London South, ON
Mr. Speaker, September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, the time to honour the children and their families facing cancer. MPs today are wearing gold pins to emphasize the importance of awareness, hope and research for childhood cancer, the leading cause of death by disease for Canadian children.
Dave and Maureen Jenkins from Belmont, Ontario, provided these pins in memory of their daughter Maggie, who passed away at just 12 years old. I am grateful for Childcan in London, an invaluable resource for families across southwestern Ontario grappling with childhood cancer, whether it is by lending a supportive ear or covering unexpected expenses.
I would like to recognize Tamy Bell here on the Hill today. She founded the Golden Society and has raised over $725,000 for CHEO and cancer research in memory of her brave son Griffin, who she lost to cancer last year at age six.
At 7 p.m. this evening, Parliament Hill will shine gold for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. I hope all members will join me in honouring the courageous children and families affected by childhood cancer.
Sukh Dhaliwal Liberal Surrey Newton, BC
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honour the life of Mr. Mohammed Iqbal Cheema, a true pioneer of Pakistani and Muslim communities in B.C.
Born in Faisalabad, Mr. Cheema arrived in Canada in 1972 with his young family and went on to build a legacy of service, generosity and community leadership. Over the past several decades, he welcomed newcomers at the airport, offered them shelter and worked tirelessly for organizations such as the BC Muslim Association, the Pakistan-Canada Association and the National Federation of Pakistani-Canadians.
Mr. Cheema's dedication to service, family and community has inspired generations. He will be deeply missed, but his memory will live on as a blessing to all of us.
Michael Cooper Conservative St. Albert—Sturgeon River, AB
Mr. Speaker, as the 42nd ICAO Assembly sets to convene in Montreal, Canada's democratic ally Taiwan continues to be excluded from ICAO. Taiwan's exclusion is about one thing and one thing only, bending to Beijing's bullying, and it has to stop.
Taiwan is the 11th largest aviation market in the world and serves as a vital global hub. Excluding one of the world's largest and most responsible airspace managers creates a dangerous gap. It undermines global aviation safety and, frankly, makes a mockery of ICAO's stated mission. It is time for ICAO to stop placating the Beijing dictatorship, put global aviation safety first and invite Taiwan to participate at the assembly.
Angelo Iacono Liberal Alfred-Pellan, QC
Mr. Speaker, this summer, in Alfred‑Pellan, I met with company representatives and citizens who are worried about the effects of U.S. tariffs on our economy. Now that Parliament has resumed, I can reassure them that our government has indeed heard their comments.
With our new industrial strategy, we will diversify our markets, support our SMEs and focus on reskilling our workers so we can build a Canadian economy that is stronger, more resilient and more competitive. In terms of infrastructure, the Major Projects Office will play a key role in accelerating investments across the country. The number of major projects, like the Contrecœur container terminal or the timely implementation of the Alto high-speed train, will increase, which will create thousands of jobs.
In Alfred‑Pellan and across Canada, our government will provide tangible, quick and ambitious solutions.
Michael Chong Conservative Wellington—Halton Hills North, ON
Mr. Speaker, this year, in Wellington County, the Township of Puslinch celebrates its 175th anniversary.
Older than Confederation, Puslinch was established in the Province of Canada in 1850 under the municipal corporations act of 1849, which had been introduced by the great ministry of Robert Baldwin and Louis-Hippolyte LaFontaine. Named after a place in England, the township is filled with history from early pioneers: the English, Highland Scots, Germans and Irish Catholics.
The township played a key role in early Canadian agriculture, with Dr. Frederick Stone bringing to Puslinch the first Hereford cattle breed and other cattle breeds. His farm eventually became the Ontario Agricultural College at the University of Guelph.
I congratulate Mayor Seeley and the township council for continuing the 175-year tradition of local democratic governance.
Arielle Kayabaga Liberal London West, ON
Mr. Speaker, as we open this new session, I want to welcome my colleagues back to the House of Commons. We are here because Canadians expect us to get things done. For me, that means delivering for the people of London West.
Londoners have been very clear that they want affordable housing, good jobs and support for their families, which is why I welcome the new housing investments that will speed up construction, bring down costs, and put young people and skilled workers on the job.
With the new work relief measures, we are making sure that families have the help they need right now through the tough times. We are also seeing major CAF investment, which means stable and long-term jobs for Canadians while strengthening our economy and protecting our country.
London is at the centre of growth in southwestern Ontario, and my focus is to make sure that Ottawa continues to match that ambition by investing in people, industries and the future that all Canadians want.
Michael Guglielmin Conservative Vaughan—Woodbridge, ON
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister once said that Canadians would judge him by the cost of groceries. Well, beef is up 33%, coffee is up 22% and sugar is up by 20%. Food inflation has risen by 40%. Canadians in Vaughan—Woodbridge and across the country feel the pinch every single time they walk into the grocery store.
A new report shows that over 25% of households are struggling to afford food, which is up from 18% in 2023. At Toronto's food bank, it took nearly four decades to reach one million visits, yet in only three years, demand has quadrupled to four million visits. The poverty rate has climbed for the third straight year, and is now sitting at 9.9%, increasing by 38% from just two years ago. That is not just a number. It is a crisis that is unfolding in real time.
Canadians deserve a government that will cut wasteful spending so they can afford to put food on their tables.
Jean-Denis Garon Bloc Mirabel, QC
Mr. Speaker, on July 1, we learned of the sudden death of Patrick Charbonneau, the mayor of Mirabel, at the age of 46. Patrick was more than an elected official; he was a caring, passionate man with a real desire to serve his community. After entering politics in 2013, he always worked with integrity, vision, compassion and an approachable warmth. Patrick was a friend, an ally, a trusted partner who always showed up, a person who was deeply human, ambitious, funny and committed. He wanted to change things, and he did it with the big heart he was known for. Above all, he was a loving father and a devoted family man. He often talked about his children with unaffected tenderness. His love for them was palpable.
We will remember him for his laugh, his quick wit, his generosity and everything he accomplished for Mirabel and the region. On behalf of the people of Mirabel, the House and the Bloc Québécois, I would like to express my deepest condolences to Annick, Olivia, Maël, Mr. and Mrs. Charbonneau and Mayor François Bélanger. May his work continue to inspire us.
Mona Fortier Liberal Ottawa—Vanier—Gloucester, ON
Mr. Speaker, each year, during the third week in September, we celebrate National Payroll Week, which is a moment to recognize the professionals who ensure Canadian workers are paid accurately and on time.
The pay cycle is more than just an administrative process; it is a cornerstone of employee well-being. It guarantees accuracy, transparency and trust, enabling workers to meet their daily needs, plan for the future and build their financial security.
I thank all designated payroll professionals for their integrity and the essential work they do to keep Canada paid and to strengthen financial confidence.
I would also like to thank the volunteers at the National Payroll Institute, who support these efforts through their activities and services.
Finally, I want to recognize the leadership of Brian Burgess, chair of the board, and Peter Tzanetakis, president and CEO of the National Payroll Institute, who are both here today. Their guidance supports employee well-being and organizational success.
Jeremy Patzer Conservative Swift Current—Grasslands—Kindersley, SK
Mr. Speaker, it has been six months and the so-called new Liberal government seems like it is the same as the old one. At first, the Prime Minister sounded different from Justin Trudeau, but we are finding, as time goes by, that the Liberals are using the same old Liberal playbook. He hinted about a fast track to build a pipeline. What actually happened? He created a major project bureaucracy instead to try to fast-track big projects. Not a single pipeline is on the major projects list, as the Liberals have reannounced previous projects that are already under construction. They kept in place bad anti-energy policies from the Trudeau era: Bill C-69, Bill C-48, the oil and gas production cap and the industrial carbon tax, to name a few.
Enbridge, a Canadian energy company, is building a $700-million pipeline project. The problem is that it is not in Canada. It is in the United States of America.
Canadians will have to wait for a Conservative government to support our world-class energy sector that will cut bad Liberal policies, build a strong economy to get the job done and restore the promise of our great country.
Sonia Sidhu Liberal Brampton South, ON
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to reflect on a wonderful summer in Brampton South. I would like to use this opportunity to share my sincere thanks to all residents who joined me at my annual summer barbecue. This summer, I attended many community events and heard one message clearly: Public safety remains a top priority.
As the Prime Minister said, we will strengthen bail reform and impose tougher sentences on home invasion, extortion and repeat violent offenders. We will invest directly in our law enforcement.
Keeping our communities safe requires every level of government to do its part. Provinces must provide resources to courts and law enforcement to keep dangerous offenders behind bars. Together, we will build safer streets for Brampton and for all Canadians.
Grant Jackson Conservative Brandon—Souris, MB
Mr. Speaker, Canadians are paying the price for the Prime Minister's reckless spending, which has skyrocketed 8.4% since he took office. Spending on high-priced consultants is up by 37% to $26 billion, while spending on the bureaucracy itself is up another 6% to $63 billion.
Experts are clear that the spending is out of control. Yesterday, at committee, the top financial watchdog stated, “At this point, it's impossible for us, and for you as parliamentarians, to assess the likelihood or probability of the government hitting any fiscal target.” Yikes. It does not stop there. The watchdog went further, slamming the Liberals' lack of accountability, saying, “I don't know that the government currently has fiscal anchors, which...causes...a considerable degree of concern”. No kidding. Canadians are concerned as well.
With more spending, more debt and more bureaucracy piling up every year, when will the government finally show restraint and put Canada back on a responsible fiscal track, or is that just another broken Liberal promise?
Pauline Rochefort Liberal Nipissing—Timiskaming, ON
Mr. Speaker, please join me in wishing the city of North Bay a happy 100th birthday. Even if it is only 100 years old, it is still a city that is just getting started. This is why: With its modern infrastructure, higher-level education centres, strategic location at the crossroads of Highway 11 and Highway 17, and access to rail and air transportation, North Bay, nicknamed “your gateway to opportunity”, is truly a gateway to east-west domestic trade and international markets.
People who have been there know it is a beautiful city. It has breathtaking scenery, wonderful recreational amenities and much more. Most important are the citizens of the city of North Bay, the wonderful people. For 100 years, they have shaped this great city. It now offers a high quality of life and is, therefore, a great place to raise a family and build a future.
The city's centennial celebration has mobilized hundreds of volunteers who have highlighted the contributions of many sectors, and the celebration will continue.
Garnett Genuis Conservative Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB
Mr. Speaker, the Liberal Prime Minister promised change. Like Liberals before him, he is breaking his promises. He promised the fastest-growing economy in the G7. He has actually delivered the fastest-shrinking economy in the G7. He promised to “build, baby, build”, but he continues to support Bill C-69, the block, baby, block act. He promised to double the pace of construction, but homebuilding is actually declining. He promised jobs and opportunity and then delivered an unemployment crisis. He promised less spending, but he is spending more. He promised elbows up and then he put his elbows down.
The Prime Minister said the things he thought Canadians wanted to hear during the election, and then he did the opposite. During his time as a temporary foreign worker in the United Kingdom, the Prime Minister was famously called the “unreliable boyfriend”. Six months into this relationship, Canadians are starting to see why. Canada, it turns out that “he is just not that into you”.
Lisa Hepfner Liberal Hamilton Mountain, ON
Mr. Speaker, Hamilton is known as Steeltown for many reasons, including its long-standing role as the centre of steel production in Canada. Stelco and ArcelorMittal Dofasco still produce steel in Hamilton, and we have derivatives like Walters Group on Hamilton Mountain, which creates beautiful architectural steel, including the beautiful tree-inspired beams that hold up the ceiling of this very room.
Thousands upon thousands of workers across the Golden Horseshoe rely on the steel industry, but steel production is crucial for all of Canada. We need a steel industry in order to be a viable G7 nation. The 50% U.S. tariffs have been a massive challenge to our previously integrated industry. I meet regularly with those affected and I know how serious and engaged the government and the Prime Minister have been. Sustaining Canada’s steel industry is a top priority.
We will get through this, and with Canadian steel, we will build the strongest economy in the G7.
Mark Carney LiberalPrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, first of all, I would like to welcome the new pages here to Parliament on behalf of all members.
There will be a new government budget on November 4. It will be an investment budget, with the largest investment in Canada in a generation.
Pierre Poilievre ConservativeLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, how big is the deficit that the Prime Minister is running?
Mark Carney LiberalPrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, I am looking forward, with the Minister of Finance, to releasing the budget on November 4. That budget will contain the biggest investment in this country's future in a generation: building homes, building new port infrastructure, new trade corridors and new energy infrastructure, and building the strongest economy in the G7.
Pierre Poilievre ConservativeLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, the government is supposed to present the deficit at the beginning of the fiscal year. That was six months ago, and we still do not know the size of the deficit. The uncertainty has driven out $50 billion in investment and killed 86,000 jobs. This is the first time in the history of the country that a prime minister cannot tell us what the deficit is six months into the fiscal year.
He says he is a leading financial expert. Does he know the size of his deficit, yes or no?
Mark Carney LiberalPrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the compliment. Yes, I am a leading financial and budget expert. Yes, I am a leading expert, thank you.
I know that in the current economic situation here in Canada, the great uncertainty comes from the tariff war. We need to control what we can control, which is investing in Canada's future.
Pierre Poilievre ConservativeLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, surely, if he is such an expert, he would know the size of his own deficit. It is now halfway through the fiscal year. Six months have gone by, and he has announced $40 billion of additional spending. Deficits drive up inflation, grocery prices, housing costs and interest rates. They drive investment out of our country and create uncertainty that destabilizes our economy. That is why every other prime minister in Canadian history has announced the deficit at the beginning of the fiscal year.
We are six months in. Does the Prime Minister even know the size of his own deficit?
Mark Carney LiberalPrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, I know many things. The member opposite, the Leader of the Opposition, just mentioned interest rates. One thing I know is that Canadian interest rates are much lower than American interest rates. They are lower because this country's fiscal situation is strong and because this government has a plan to grow this economy. We will keep doing it.