Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, my dad grew up in my hon. colleague's riding. I thank the member for being a tireless defender and an advocate for action on anti-Semitism. It is shocking to me that in a city like Guelph, members of the Jewish community are worried about their safety. They are looking for leadership. They are looking to us to do something. I ask my colleague, with regard to the protection of access t…
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Mr. Speaker, it puzzles me that the member from Windsor would not be celebrating that federal government investments in the NextStar plant mean 1,100 jobs in his riding. The people at Stellantis are excited to add a third shift. The people are looking to government to support them in this difficult period with a challenging trading partner. I am hearing a lot of “throwing up our hands” on the othe…
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Mr. Speaker, what is before the House today is a rather myopic look at a few things that could happen in the auto sector, whereas the Liberal government's plan is comprehensive. I wonder if my colleague would talk about how the government's automobile strategy looks at the full supply chain and what the benefits are for Canada, looking at things from critical minerals to the dealership.
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, I rise to present a petition on behalf of citizens and residents of Canada concerning the start-up visa program. The petitioners are concerned that in recent years, start-up visa applicants have faced extensive and unpredictable processing delays, often lasting several years, despite having undergone rigorous vetting by designated organizations. Therefore, the petitioners call upon th…
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Mr. Speaker, given that my hon. colleague is the former finance minister for the province of Quebec, I would like to ask him whether eliminating the GST on vehicles manufactured in Canada could increase the deficit. I would also like him to comment on the government's plan for the automotive sector and on the importance of investing in that industry, both now and in the future.
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Mr. Speaker, if the Government of Canada had a magic wand for tariff-free access to the United States, the Conservatives would oppose it. We can do more than one thing at a time. We can fight for the auto sector and the canola sector and the fisheries sector. That is what being in government is. It is all of it. We cannot have a myopic plan that does not consult anybody and will not yield any resu…
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Mr. Speaker, I have two things. One is that there are ongoing negotiations with Washington regarding unjustified, illegal tariffs. That is number one. Number two is that this uncertainty caused by the American tariffs has put a hold on things like the Honda plant. It has created uncertainty, so a number of automakers are waiting to see. That is a private sector decision. What is the opposition's p…
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Mr. Speaker, we just cannot run the 2026 auto sector with a 1965 rule book, unless the plan is to drive Canada straight into the past. The members opposite are saying we need a plan. On February 5, the new government presented a plan in consultation with all of the industry associations and workers. It was received with universal acclaim. This is not the first time the Conservatives have come toge…
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Mr. Speaker, $3 billion in the strategic response fund, $1.5 billion for infrastructure to create certainty in electrification and $1 billion for tariff relief is not waiting it out. Supports for workers and retraining to help auto plants retool and auto parts manufacturers keep people on the shop floor is not waiting it out. I have confidence in our ambassadors and our negotiating teams. We all w…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, it was heartwarming to see the Children's Foundation of Guelph and Wellington's keep kids fed programs in action last week. I met parent volunteers and U of G nutrition students who were preparing the snacks. I spoke with a school administrator and Children's Foundation leaders. Together with volunteers and donors, they ensure every child has reliable access to nutritious food every d…
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Mr. Speaker, the City of Guelph is a participant in the housing accelerator fund from the previous government. That funding has allowed all kinds of zoning reform. We have removed exclusionary zoning. We have seed money for accessory dwelling units. We have seed money for affordable housing projects. That first step, that first foray of working directly, has been extremely important. This next ste…
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Mr. Speaker, I completely agree that the government needs to support sectors put at risk by unfair U.S. tariffs. Liquidity programs exist for the lumber, steel and automotive sectors. Although this issue is truly important, it falls outside the scope of this bill, which only seeks to create a Build Canada Homes Crown corporation. Nevertheless, the issue is indeed important and yes, we need to use …
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Mr. Speaker, as a city councillor for many years, I saw the municipality streamline its processes. The member is quite right. The private sector is building homes, but for 30 years, communities have expected provinces or the federal government to build non-market affordable housing. Guess what: The private sector does not build that kind of stuff. Why? It is because it has a profit imperative. Loo…
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Mr. Speaker, through you, I would like to wish my husband, Mike, a happy 20th anniversary on St. Patrick's Day. We are on this crazy ride together, and it has really been wonderful. As a former city councillor, I am very familiar with the development process and acutely aware of the housing crisis, so I really appreciate the opportunity not only to wish Mike a happy anniversary but also to talk ab…
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Mr. Speaker, allow me first to correct an error I made in my remarks earlier. Tuesday is my 25th wedding anniversary, not my 20th, and my husband let me know immediately when I left the chamber. I wish a happy anniversary to Mike. To the member opposite, we agree that we need to see housing prices come down. We have had a housing bubble since the 1980s, so when we are seeing homes selling under th…
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Mr. Speaker, I will start by saying that what we want to do is bring some clarity to this conversation, and not conflate and confuse things. The member opposite voted against budget 2025, which had funding for a strategic response fund to support tariff-affected companies and industries, like the auto sector. The Conservatives voted against the productivity superdeduction that allows large manufac…
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Mr. Speaker, we will absolutely support Canadian auto workers. Let us be very clear. We also have the Canadian Automobile Dealers Association. I do not believe the Conservatives, for this motion, have consulted with any of the large associations. A lot of Canadians will buy a Kia. A lot of Canadians will buy electric vehicles from a lot of places. Why the focus on the North American auto market? W…
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Mr. Speaker, the mechanism for the EV rebate will be similar to what it was a few years ago. If someone goes to a dealership and purchases a vehicle, depending on the manufacturer's suggested retail price and if it fits the conditions, they will get that rebate. It goes into their pocket. We are seeing movement of all types through the auto sector. For a party that loves consumer choice, the EV re…
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Mr. Speaker, the member for Oakville West is a colleague in our auto caucus. We visited Honda and Toyota together and were fortunate enough to be at the auto strategy announcement just last week. Members of the auto caucus are clearly in favour of electrification and see what the global trends are. I am curious as to whether my colleague would talk about the importance of the investments in the ch…
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Mr. Speaker, before I begin, I would like to join others in expressing my condolences on the profound tragedies at Tumbler Ridge and Kitigan Zibi. Having lost people close to me, I know it is really challenging, when one's world has been shattered, to feel like the rest of the world is moving along. I just want those communities to know that we grieve with them, and they are in our hearts even tho…
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Mr. Speaker, my colleague from Alfred-Pellan answered his own question. Yes, we must look at the automotive strategy and budget as a comprehensive plan to attract investment. We need to look at not only the automotive sector, but also Canada's manufacturing sector as a whole. We need to look at the entire supply chain, from critical minerals to auto parts, from assembly to distribution and chargin…
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Mr. Speaker, I apologize but I do not understand the question. I did not move the amendment and I have not read it. If you would like to ask me a question relating to my speech or the plan, I would be happy to answer.
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Mr. Speaker, Guelph is the home of the Ontario Agricultural College and the Ontario Veterinary College. The University of Guelph is Canada's food university. Guelph is the home of Farm & Food Care Ontario, the OFA, Ontario Pork, Ontario Beef and the Grain Farmers of Ontario. We are the home of Cargill and Maple Leaf, with whose representatives I met earlier this week. We know food in Guelph. My co…
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Mr. Speaker, every year, International Development Week is a time to recognize Canada's contribution to sustainable, inclusive development around the world. Tomorrow the University of Guelph will welcome the International Fund for Agricultural Development and Farm Radio International to advance linkages between Canada's farm competitiveness and global rural transformation. As we mark this year's I…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, I rise to honour a hero, William Joseph Seifried. Bill joined the army at 18 and trained as a gunner at Petawawa, but when he deployed to London, England, new recruits were made infantry. Bill became a Regina Rifle and, without training, was sent to the front in France. He fought through France, Belgium and the Netherlands and then served as a reconnaissance scout in Germany. By quick…
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Mr. Speaker, budget 2025 contains many comprehensive measures to help make life more affordable for Canadians while helping grow the economy. Open banking promotes competition and affordability by letting Canadian consumers and businesses take advantage of cutting-edge technologies and share their financial data with approved and regulated service providers. Can the Secretary of State for the Cana…
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Mr. Speaker, I am just curious. Absolutely, the cost of rent is challenging in this country. There was some good news, but it is mixed across the country, and I think we should acknowledge that. The member mentioned that he is from Lanark County. What effect does he think the Conservative provincial government's elimination of rent control on units built after or occupied after 2018 has had? If we…
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Mr. Speaker, the member opposite is from a beautiful part of the country that I had the pleasure to visit recently. We agree on the need for infrastructure, and the budget includes the build communities strong fund. It has $51 billion over 10 years, and it actually says that it will provide funding to provincial and territorial governments for a diverse array of projects. Investments will prioriti…
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Mr. Chair, it is not the Government of Canada that broke the relationship with the Americans, a relationship that has been enduring since the auto pact, a relationship where there are contracts, agreements, the USMCA. There may have been trade winds, but there was certainly no indication that this was going to be an issue in this moment. The member opposite likes to talk about responding to the co…
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Mr. Chair, while we intend to secure a deal with the United States, it has to be the right deal. It has to be a good deal. In the interim, would my colleague please tell us a little about what measures are in the budget to take action right now to support the industry and its workers?
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Mr. Chair, my hon. colleague, who is the parliamentary secretary to the Minister of Industry, is intimately familiar with a number of measures put in place in budget 2025 to help automakers and parts manufacturers innovate and support their workers. I am wondering if my colleague could tell the House more about that.
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Mr. Chair, I think this debate is critical because we need to be very clear that we stand with the auto sector of today, even through these challenging times, and we are building the auto sector of the future. We are in a trade war, a trade war that is designed to attack critical Canadian industries, including the auto sector. There are 125,000 jobs directly in assembly, with more than 500,000 in …
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Mr. Chair, we have a pause. There has been a consultation with the broader auto sector and with other stakeholders, such as the investors in charging infrastructure and the supply chain. I think what the government has done is to be completely responsible, look at the changing context and say that we are going to pause, that we are going to adjust and that we are going to come back. There are a nu…
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Mr. Chair, Canada certainly has a wealth of critical minerals that are an integral part of the supply chain for charging stations and batteries. I think we absolutely need to explore that. That is one of the projects of national interest. I think we are going to hear even more about this. Indeed, China is a big issue, not just for dumping critical minerals, but also for steel and potentially other…
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Mr. Chair, in Guelph we are leaders in auto parts manufacturing. Some of the largest in the world have operations in Guelph. We have highly skilled people. To date, the American trade war is creating mostly uncertainty in parts. I would say that the smaller suppliers have capacity. That is why some of these programs or incentives help them to diversify some of their operations to nuclear, to oil a…
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Mr. Chair, I absolutely disagree with the premise, because we have seen investments in Canada by Volkswagen. There were investments by Honda. There are investments by Stellantis. There is absolutely a diversification taking place. There are absolutely highly skilled people and support for the auto sector.
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Mr. Chair, yes, there was a plan for transitioning to electric vehicles and measures were in place, not only for the number of vehicles to be sold, but also for charging stations and battery production in Canada. I believe that putting the mandate on hold is a responsible decision. Quebec and British Columbia are also doing the same thing, given the North American context. I believe it is a respon…
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Mr. Chair, my colleague from Oakville and I serve on the Liberal auto caucus together. We have visited auto plants together, which I know is really important to her riding and mine. The member mentioned CUSMA, and the member opposite asked about its pertinence. I would like the member to talk about the pertinence of CUSMA, the actual lifeline. Can she tell the House more about the government's res…
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Mr. Chair, I would first like to thank my colleague for her solidarity with the automobile sector, workers, and industries. She knows Sudbury very well. There are times of great success and there are times of contraction. I would like to give her the opportunity to talk about how important it is to have a government that has measures in place to support industries and workers. I would also like he…
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Mr. Chair, the facts matter here. I would like to be very clear that 2024 was actually a record in Canada for foreign direct investment: $85.5 billion in FDI inflows, 36% higher than 2023 and 50% above the 10-year average. Canada is attracting foreign direct investment. We will see more. Why would the member opposite not welcome that and talk Canada up so we can negotiate from a position of streng…
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Mr. Chair, since my colleague is very familiar with this issue, I would like to know what he considers to be the most important and urgent measures to support the automotive sector and workers. I would also like him to tell us why it is so important to explore new avenues for the automotive industry of the future and to explore new markets. I would also like him to talk to us about support for SME…
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Mr. Chair, I sympathize and I empathize, because it must be extremely challenging for the workers in Brampton West and the workers across Canada who are impacted by tariffs. I would ask the member opposite this: Have the automakers in his riding benefited from the strategic response fund, from liquidity and from the regional tariff response initiative? Has he shared that with some of the parts man…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, in the time it takes to deliver this statement, another survivor of intimate partner violence will call for help. IPV is happening now, and 106 Ontario municipalities, including Guelph, have declared it an epidemic. It is pervasive, and we must end it. During the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence, let us acknowledge our shared responsibility, work to change the norms t…
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Mr. Speaker, I would simply like to ask my colleague whether she believes that seniors' benefits remain the most important social program in the federal budget, ahead of the Canada health transfer and the Canada child benefit. This is an important part of Canada's transfer system and the benefit system for our seniors. Also, are seniors not happy to now have access to the Canadian dental care plan…
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Mr. Speaker, I believe in Canada, in Canadians, in our industries and in the budget. This budget positions us for the future and meets this moment. It protects Canada's sovereignty and safety, and it meets our global commitments. It is protecting and growing our economy. It is meeting our climate goals. It is building major projects, community infrastructure and homes. It is protecting important s…
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Mr. Speaker, I would tell them to ask Doug Ford why he cut rent control. I would tell them that we are investing heavily in trades and supporting them, that we are investing in Canadian business, that we are retaining and growing important industries, and that we are going to invest in a green, clean planet for them.
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Mr. Speaker, I would say that nothing of the kind happened. When Guelph's constituents voted, they voted for a Prime Minister with a global reputation who had an exciting plan, a plan to finally invest in Canadians. People were feeling really optimistic.
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Mr. Speaker, the regional tariff response initiative is very helpful for any business in any sector that has been affected by American tariffs. It can be that it suddenly has capacity on the floor that it had not anticipated or it needs to retool or reorient. In addition to that, there is a lot of support from the Business Development Bank of Canada and the federal government. People should reach …
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Mr. Speaker, I care about youth unemployment. I have a 21-year-old and a 19-year-old, and we hear from their friends about some of these challenges. Part of the challenge is that the tariffs are creating a lot of uncertainty, so nobody is adding a shift or expanding. For young people who are interested in the trades, there is a lot that is promising in this budget. We are helping companies invest …
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Mr. Speaker, the member opposite asked a question earlier about what the federal government was going to do to eliminate interprovincial trade barriers. There is good news, since the federal government, with the support of the opposition, removed federal interprovincial trade barriers by Canada Day this year. As of just six days ago, tens of thousands of goods across Canada's 14 jurisdictions will…
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