Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, they want to talk about our record, then let us talk about it. This government's record includes $10 billion in infrastructure for hospitals, public transit and schools in Quebec. Our record includes three million Quebeckers who will receive the Canada groceries and essentials benefit. Our record includes reducing child poverty by 40% through the Canada child benefit, which helps thou…
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Mr. Speaker, when we listen to the Bloc Québécois, we have no trouble understanding why Quebeckers made the wise choice to send 44 Quebec members to this side of the House. Our members are firmly focused on building our economy while protecting our environment. They are idealists and pragmatists who know how to build one Canadian economy, as we are doing in Contrecoeur, at the port of Quebec and w…
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Mr. Speaker, speaking of a lack of leadership, Canadians have been looking for the Conservative Party's economic plan for at least two years. No one has found it yet, because it does not exist. I would invite my colleague to look at the superdeduction in budget 2025, for example. Accelerated depreciation will encourage businesses to invest and increase their productivity. That is exactly what our …
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Mr. Speaker, to pick up on what the government House leader said, I will not apologize for acting quickly for Quebeckers and Canadians. We have demonstrated this over the past few months, such as with a $10‑billion infrastructure agreement with Quebec to build public transit and deliver the infrastructure that our cities need. We will also not apologize for moving forward with a major project for …
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Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague. It is a pleasure to work with him on a number of issues in the Quebec City region. I would be happy to discuss this particular issue with him at a later date. One thing I would like to point out is that there are some issues on which we would like to be able to work with our colleagues from the Quebec City region. The tramway comes to mind, for example. I…
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Mr. Speaker, that is an important question as we prepare for a return to the office four days a week across the public service. I can assure her that my department, in collaboration with the Secretariat of the Treasury Board, is working around the clock to make sure that public servants have the space and the tools they need to do their important work for Canadians.
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Mr. Speaker, in response to my colleague, I would say that what is not working is the Conservatives. They stand up and pretend to show empathy, but when it comes time to vote for concrete measures that help their constituents, they vote against them at every turn. I encourage my colleague to do some math. In his riding, the Canada child benefit, which he voted against, paid out $80 million to 13,2…
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Mr. Speaker, this gives me an opportunity to remind everyone that we have suspended the excise tax on gasoline for the summer, providing relief for consumers and boosting Canadians' purchasing power. However, we are not stopping there. The Conservatives claim that affordability is an issue they care about. I urge them to support us on the Canada groceries and essentials benefit, the Canadian denta…
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Mr. Speaker, with regard to the economy, forecasts indicate that Canada will have the second-fastest growth among G7 countries. Wages have been rising faster than inflation for 38 months, but we recognize that challenges remain. That is why, on this side of the House, we are working tirelessly to deliver major projects, create jobs and generate wealth across the country. However, when I see the Co…
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Mr. Speaker, that party is talking about threats to Quebec culture, but when it came time to make budget requests, it did not say a word about Quebec culture. When it came time to vote on the last budget, which contained $700 million for culture, including Quebec culture, not a single Bloc Québécois member voted for it. It is astounding to hear them talk and falsely accuse others about threats to …
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Mr. Speaker, I do not have their names, but there are 13,586 families in his riding who are getting their share of the $101 million from the Canada child benefit, which he voted against. I do not have their names, but there are 13,500 families who depend on it. I do not have their names, but there are 39,000 people in his riding who benefit from the Canadian dental care plan. I do not have their n…
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Mr. Speaker, to the contrary, I want to highlight and thank the procurement ombud for the work he has done over the years and for the work he is doing. The Auditor General also has a role to play in helping us to make sure that as we go forward with procurement, all procurements respect the highest standard and that they are done transparently in an open and competitive process, which is the basic…
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Mr. Speaker, we hear a lot of things in the House. The member talks about respecting the Quebec nation, but where was he last Tuesday when, together with the Premier of Quebec, we announced $10 billion for infrastructure in Quebec? The only time we see the Conservatives is when they are trying to deprive Quebeckers of the money needed for infrastructure, take $2.75 billion from Quebec City for the…
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Mr. Speaker, we are very proud of the New Horizons for Seniors program, which benefits hundreds and even thousands of organizations across Quebec and Canada. We will continue to support this program. It is a program that works. When my colleague talks to the seniors in his riding, I hope that he tells the over 39,000 healthy people, many of whom are seniors, that they will no longer have access to…
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Mr. Speaker, we have the utmost respect for farmers, and we want to work with them to find a middle ground on this project. What saddens me is seeing the Conservatives try to keep us decades behind the times at every turn and with each project. In Europe, especially in France, Spain and the United Kingdom, high‑speed trains exist alongside agricultural activities and cross through fields. I think …
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Mr. Speaker, I think there is a balance to be struck, and we are striking that balance between labour needs and the temporary foreign worker program. I would simply urge my colleague to repeat his question in French, because what I am hearing from his Quebec colleagues is that more temporary foreign workers are needed. That balance is being struck specifically in rural areas and in Quebec to meet …
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Mr. Speaker, as everyone knows, we are facing illegal and unjustified tariffs from the Americans. However, on this side of the House, we will always support our businesses and workers. We will support them by investing in their ability to innovate, to produce and to diversify their markets. It should be noted that Canada's non-U.S. exports have increased by 40% year over year. We will also support…
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Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 32(2) and consistent with the policy on the tabling of treaties in Parliament, I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the treaty entitled “Agreement between the Government of Canada and the European Space Agency on the Protection of Classified Information”, done at Colorado Springs on April 14, 2026.
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Mr. Speaker, facts are stubborn things. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development anticipates that Canada will achieve the second-strongest growth of the G7. Over the past year, foreign direct investment in Canada reached twice what it was for our G7 peers. For 38 months, wages have risen faster in Canada than inflation. On top of it all, one especially stubborn fact that displeas…
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Mr. Speaker, I understand that the Conservatives are overjoyed whenever we face even the slightest headwind in the Canadian economy. However, on this side of the House, we wake up in the morning and ask ourselves what we can do despite external circumstances, despite the illegal and unjustified tariff war we are facing. What can we do to build Canada's economy? We are investing in Nouveau Monde Gr…
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Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague for her question. Finally, someone asked me a good question. My colleague is right to highlight this initiative. Last Friday, June 5, 12 million Canadians received the new Canada groceries and essentials benefit, including three million Quebeckers. For a family of four, this can amount to up to $1,890 a year to help cover the cost of groceries. That …
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Mr. Speaker, an agreement could not be reached under the provisions of Standing Order 78(1) or 78(2) with respect to the third reading stage of Bill C-20, an act respecting the establishment of Build Canada Homes. Under the provisions of Standing Order 78(3), I give notice that a minister of the Crown will propose at the next sitting a motion to allot a specific number of days or hours for the con…
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Madam Speaker, I will reiterate what my colleagues said because it is important. Over the past few months, the Canadian economy has created 80,000 jobs. We are seeing a drop in the unemployment rate, especially in youth employment. That is good news for Canadians. I want to take this opportunity to say that we learned something else this week. We found out that the Government of Canada is going to…
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Madam Speaker, the answer is yes. Incidentally, we extended the processing time for these requests to 90 days precisely for the reason he just mentioned.
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Madam Speaker, our government recognizes that Quebec relies heavily on temporary foreign workers. I know that is the case in our region, the Quebec City region, and that is certainly the case in several regions throughout Quebec. We have implemented a targeted measure that extends temporary foreign worker permits by one year. I am also very pleased to announce that, as of today, this public policy…
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Mr. Speaker, I have so much empathy for Canadians like Matis. These are the people for whom we stand up every day, the people for whom we fight, the people for whom we implement programs that work. I do not have their names, but my colleague's riding has 13,500 families who receive $80 million thanks to the Canada child benefit. My colleague voted against that. What does he tell them? His riding h…
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Mr. Speaker, the Bloc Québécois is a master at lecturing others, but it has no lessons to teach. When we were negotiating the budget and sought their support, the Bloc Québécois made no requests about culture. When it came time to vote on the budget, which included $750 million for culture, the Bloc Québécois voted against it. Now that we are announcing $600 million—a decision welcomed by ADISQ an…
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Mr. Speaker, 150 airplanes at Airbus is not a diversion. A contract with Bombardier for GlobalEye is not diversion. Nouveau Monde Graphite, the largest graphite mine in the G7, is not a diversion. The high-speed train between Quebec City and Toronto is not a diversion. The $2.75 billion invested in the Quebec City tramway will have an impact. The $10 billion we just announced for the greater Quebe…
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Mr. Speaker, as I mentioned in my previous response, the Canadian economy is far more integrated with that of the United States. However, here is what I have noted when looking at the past year. As a result of government initiatives and efforts made by Canadians, we have increased our non‑U.S. exports by nearly 40% over the past year. That is a major shift. It is because we are signing trade agree…
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Mr. Speaker, I think Canadians know why. They are well aware that Canada's economy is one of the most highly integrated with the American economy and that we are facing headwinds and disruptions because of the illegal and unjustified tariffs imposed by the Americans. That being said, the reason Canadians chose this government is because a lot of things remain within our control. For example, we ca…
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Mr. Speaker, if the Bloc Québécois wants to talk numbers, then let us talk numbers. Thirty per cent of our lands and waters will be protected by 2030. We are investing $3.8 billion in the 2030 nature strategy. The clean energy tax credits requested by Hydro-Québec will benefit Quebec. We are providing up to $90 billion to electrify our grid, to benefit Hydro-Québec, and to build the future with Qu…
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Mr. Speaker, over the past year, we have seen something unprecedented: Canada has signed 20 trade and security agreements around the world and 56 critical mineral agreements. We are breaking records when it comes to foreign direct investment in Canada. A recent example of this is the order for 150 Airbus aircraft to be built in Quebec. This is the result of the work the Prime Minister and minister…
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Mr. Speaker, once again, it is clear that the members of the Bloc Québécois are completely out of touch with what the people of Quebec care about. What Quebeckers care about is affordability, creating good jobs and providing opportunities for our young people. What Quebeckers care about is a workforce training program like the one outlined in the economic update. What Quebeckers care about is majo…
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Mr. Speaker, I understand that the Bloc Québécois members get up every morning and want nothing more than to talk about the Clarity Act and referendums. On this side of the House, we get up every morning wondering how we are going to create opportunities for Quebeckers, build one Canadian economy and protect Canada's sovereignty. I will give them an example. Yesterday, we stood with Bombardier to …
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Mr. Speaker, what is fascinating when I hear my colleague's question is that he would break the bank for the people of Beauce by depriving over 30,000 of his constituents of the Canadian dental care plan. He would deprive thousands more families of over $80 million per year from the Canada child benefit, and the list goes on. When it comes to lowering the cost of living for Quebeckers and the peop…
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Mr. Speaker, the opposition member is right in saying that some Canadians are struggling to make ends meet. What is difficult to explain is why this member votes against measures to help Canadians every chance he gets. Take, for example, the Canada groceries and essentials benefit. On June 5, 12 million Canadians will get a cheque to help them with the cost of groceries. Another example is the Can…
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Mr. Speaker, I just listed the programs that provide direct assistance to the people in the riding of Louis-Saint-Laurent—Akiawenhrahk. The member voted against these measures every chance he got over the past 10 years. We will not take lessons from him on how to help the most vulnerable Canadians and Quebeckers. What sets us apart on this side of the House is that, yes, we believe that we need so…
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Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the member for Terrebonne and say that it is a pleasure to thank her in the House. The launch of the Matawinie mine in Saint-Michel-des-Saints is a significant step toward our energy sovereignty. In addition to becoming the largest graphite mine in the G7 and increasing our production eightfold, it will meet Canadian demand and strengthen the resilience of our allies w…
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Mr. Speaker, like my colleagues, I am very proud to be part of a government that takes climate change and environmental protection very seriously. However, economic development is also essential to our country's future. When we speak of the environment and the fight against climate change, we might think of clean energy tax credits amounting to as much as $90 billion, or the nature strategy, which…
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Mr. Speaker, my colleague talks about giving people some breathing room and about helping Canadians. He could start by voting for measures that directly help Canadians in their daily lives. One example is the Canada groceries and essentials benefit, which will help 12 million Canadians. They will receive their first payment on June 5. That member opposes this measure. Another example is the Canadi…
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Mr. Speaker, a government that supports its young people with $6 billion for job training in the building trades that are going to be in high demand is a government that believes in its young people, that believes in the future and that walks the talk when it comes to major projects. Last week, the Prime Minister was in Saint-Michel-des-Saints to announce Nouveau Monde Graphite. That is $2 billion…
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Mr. Speaker, that is an excellent question. I would first like to thank my esteemed colleague from Beauport—Limoilou for the work he is doing on the Standing Committee on International Trade. The trend is clear: Our non-U.S. goods and services exports have increased by $33 billion over the past year, but we are not done yet. As my colleague mentioned, two historic agreements with Indonesia and the…
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Mr. Speaker, I sincerely hope that my colleague will support us with the fall economic update, which provides for an investment of $6 billion over five years specifically for training, to give our young people opportunities in the construction trades, given that we know the demand will be huge. This government is focused on delivering major projects, building a future for our country and ensuring …
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Mr. Speaker, what would be more expensive for 19,563 of his constituents is going to the dentist, because he is against the Canadian dental care plan, which helps Canadians who, all too often, have put off a visit to the dentist because they could not afford it. Do members know what would be more expensive if the member's proposal were adopted? It would be more expensive to raise children because …
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Mr. Speaker, dental care for 20,000 of his constituents is apparently not worth much. Assistance for 12,500 families in his constituency is not worth much. He should go and tell that to the people in his riding who depend on these things. He should go and tell that to the two million Quebeckers who, on June 5, will receive the Canada groceries and essentials benefit, which will help the most vulne…
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moved that a ways and means motion to introduce a bill entitled A second Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on November 4, 2025, be concurred in.
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Mr. Speaker, what would be irresponsible would be to do as my colleague suggests and deprive 27,000 people in his riding of the Canadian dental care plan, as well as 12,000 families of the approximately $80 million that flows into Louis-Saint-Laurent—Akiawenhrahk. That is what would be irresponsible. What would be irresponsible, given the global and economic turmoil we are facing, would be to fail…
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Mr. Speaker, my colleague talked about easing the pressure on Canadians' wallets. The first thing that we did when we took office was to cut taxes for 22 million Canadians. There is also the Canada groceries and essentials benefit, which is soon coming into effect. The first payments will be issued on June 5. That will mean up to $1,800 for 12 million of the most vulnerable Canadians in the countr…
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Mr. Speaker, let us not forget that, last year, the member's leader presented a budget plan that contained over 17 photos of himself, and none of the numbers in that plan were supported by economists. That is why Canadians made the wise choice to reject the Conservatives' proposal and opt for the serious proposal put forward by this Prime Minister and this government, which has put Canada in the b…
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Mr. Speaker, we will always be there to support the workers and businesses affected by the U.S. administration's illegal and illegitimate tariffs. We have been there from the beginning and we have stepped up our efforts even more recently with the $1.5 billion that was announced by the Minister of Industry on top of the $5 billion that had already been announced, specifically to help our businesse…
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