“The government wrote this economic update without talking to the other parties. It does not do enough to help businesses in rural areas, especially manufacturing companies. I want to know why the government left them out.”

“Mr. Speaker, I thank my Conservative colleague for his speech, which I missed. I was going to ask him to give me a five-minute summary of his speech this morning, but I nevertheless agree with him on several points. The government recently secured a majority. It is only fair to question the manoeuvring that led to this outcome. The government prepared an economic update without consulting the opposition parties or considering any requests that might have come from the other parties, which are doing their work thoroughly. Now we have an economic update that does not include adequate support measures for businesses in the regions, particularly in the manufacturing sector. I would like to hear my colleague’s thoughts on how the government handled the economic update. Why is there nothing concrete in it to help businesses in the regions?”

“The construction industry is in serious trouble. I want to know if the member agrees this economic bill should have included wage subsidies and help for seasonal businesses.”

“Mr. Speaker, I have a very simple question for my colleague. We are talking about consistency in government planning. I serve on the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates. The Liberals are talking about Build Canada Homes, and they want to build more homes. Our party has made concrete proposals and, right now, the industry’s survival is in serious jeopardy. Does my colleague agree that it would have been a good idea to include the wage subsidy in the economic statement, or even to fix the spring gap for businesses?”

“This bill makes our food supply less safe because it forces inspectors to worry as much about business costs as food safety. What does the member think about that?”

“Mr. Speaker, Bill C-30 will increase food security risks by forcing the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to give equal consideration to economic impacts and impacts on our food security. What does my colleague think about that?”

“The government spends money on elite sports instead of helping regular people stay active. My region needs gyms, pools, and arenas, but the federal government is not helping to fund them.”

“Mr. Speaker, like Quebeckers generally, I am a bit fed up with the centralist, exclusive vision of elite sports that Canada constantly displays. My colleague alluded to this in his speech when he said he was proud to see investments of $750 million. In the meantime, families, young people and seniors are not getting any help even though they need access to physical activity too. Where is the federal government when the time comes to build infrastructure like gyms, pools and arenas? The need in Abitibi—Témiscamingue is desperate. I want to point out that Rouyn‑Noranda was forced to build a pool with only six lanes and that a project in Témiscamingue was cut back to the bare bones, with an investment of $18.6 million. We could search in vain to find a cheaper project in Canada. That is the bare minimum. Still, the federal government is nowhere to be found. Why is this happening? Why is the government boasting about this economic statement? Why are members boasting about investing in sports when the government is nowhere to be found when regular folks need help?”

“The government is failing to get results with the United States, and manufacturers in my riding are suffering. Tariffs are hurting them, and the rules for temporary foreign workers cause serious problems. The Liberals are ignoring these issues, and it will cost Quebec jobs and businesses.”

“Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate my colleague on his speech. The government boasts that it is truly the best at negotiating with the United States, yet this is producing absolutely no results at the moment, except that we appear to be lying flat on the ground, waiting for the U.S. to walk all over us. The government seems to be focused on negotiating agreements with other countries, particularly in Europe and Asia. Meanwhile, businesses are suffering terribly. My riding of Drummond is home to an extremely vibrant manufacturing sector, but it is struggling desperately these days for a number of reasons. First, the tariffs have hit us hard. The impact has been devastating. There is also a very serious concern regarding the rules that have been put in place for the temporary foreign worker program. When we raise these issues with the government, there is no response, no action. The Liberals seem to have no interest in solving the real problems that will cost Quebec jobs and businesses, even though solutions are within reach. I would like to hear my colleague’s thoughts on the fact that this Liberal government is incapable of walking and chewing gum at the same time and incapable of addressing real problems on the ground.”

“I want to know what my colleague thinks about two risks in this bill. First, it could make our food less safe by forcing inspectors to care as much about business profits as human health. Second, it could let foreign banks take control of Canadian banks.”

“Mr. Speaker, I would like to hear my colleague’s point of view. Forcing the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to consider both economic impact and impact on people’s health equally will increase food safety risks. Furthermore, encouraging foreign platforms to enter an open banking system will reduce the restrictions that prevent foreign banks from taking control of our banks. What does my colleague think about that?”

“This budget update does not help local media. Independent TV stations in rural areas might close without government support. I want to know how the member will convince the government to help them.”

“Mr. Speaker, it is a shame that my colleague from Nipissing—Timiskaming did not have more time. She could have started telling us about her government’s support for regional media. Oops, there is none. There is no support for regional media in this economic update, particularly for independent regional TV stations. I mention this because in her region and nearby, in Abitibi—Témiscamingue, local TV stations broadcasting independent news—probably the last in this region to offer a diversity of voices and information, apart from CBC/Radio-Canada—are at risk of closing because they are not receiving any support from this government. Once again, Liberal MPs are going to vote for this budget while the regional media are being let down. My colleague is an MP for a regional riding in Ontario. I am certain she is concerned about the fate of the media. I would like to know what she intends to say to the minister or the Prime Minister to convince him to finally come to the aid of the regional media.”

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“The government tells us to buy Canadian goods, but its trade deals let it buy goods made in other countries. I want clear rules. I expect officials to give straight answers when they meet with our committee.”

“Mr. Speaker, earlier I dared to speak my mind loud and clear, and I will say it again: One day the government will have to get its house in order and become experts on the “Buy Canadian” policy, among other things. I digress, but it will soon be clear why, as that is my question for my colleague. How is it that government investments have a direct impact when we have free trade agreements, and how is it that the government is saying to buy Canadian when the goods will be manufactured abroad, in Europe, for example? This is somehow allowed under these agreements. Can we have a clear framework? The deputy ministers will be appearing before the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates, and we expect them to be clear, straightforward and precise.”

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