Intergovernmental Affairs

Question period touched on Bill C-39, the Building Canada Strong Act, a large bill covering project reviews, infrastructure approvals, and economic measures. The Bloc Québécois said the bill weakens democracy and the environment, would let Ottawa take control of Quebec lands, would privatize ports, and that Quebec was not consulted, also raising a separate federal business tax cut it said would cost Quebec $1 billion a year. Liberals replied that they work to bring jobs and investment to Quebec, pointing to the Churchill Falls deal, denied any plan to privatize ports, and said the tax cut would help Quebec small businesses, with the Premier of Quebec calling it positive.Written by AI from the debate. Updated .

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3 statements

Steven MacKinnon, Minister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons

Liberal
“Our government works hard to bring jobs and investments to Quebec. For example, the Churchill Falls deal will create 23,000 jobs and provide power to Quebec for generations. We will keep building projects like this.”
  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 21 of 100

    None of this answer addressed the specific question that was asked.

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  • Government answer in Question Period

    Signal 42 of 100

    Much of this statement went to praise, blame, greetings, routine procedure or general stories rather than reasons, requests or specific points.

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, one thing the Bloc Québécois has not yet understood is that we are going to work tirelessly and never give up on our efforts to promote Quebec’s development and provide jobs, opportunities and investments across the province. If the member wants an example, she need only look at the Churchill Falls agreement, signed with Quebec and Newfoundland, in which the Prime Minister was personally and directly involved. This project will create 23,000 jobs and supply electricity for generations of Quebeckers. That is what it means to build, and we will continue building.

Steven MacKinnon, Minister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons

Liberal
“I sponsored this bill. We are not selling off the ports.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, I think the member forgot to consult the sponsor of this bill, meaning me. We are not privatizing ports, period.

François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Finance and National Revenue

Liberal
“Our tax cut helps small and medium businesses in Quebec. It will make them more productive and competitive. Even the Premier of Quebec said it is good for the province. The Bloc Québécois is just arguing, but we will keep working to make businesses strong.”
  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 28 of 100

    None of this answer addressed the specific question that was asked.

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, that is the paradox facing the Bloc Québécois in Ottawa. Our announcement comes as a breath of fresh air for Quebec businesses. We know the reality facing Quebeckers. We know that SMEs are the backbone of our economy. This measure is going to make our SMEs more productive and competitive both nationally and internationally. The Premier of Quebec said it was good for Quebec. While Bloc Québécois members keep arguing, we are going to keep building a strong Canada with strong businesses in Quebec.

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