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Business of the House

This was the weekly Thursday exchange on upcoming House business. Andrew Scheer asked the government House leader for the coming schedule, and used the opportunity to ask whether the government would cancel its carbon taxes and energy laws, saying they raise the cost of groceries and gas and drive energy investment out of Canada, and whether the government would recognize an affordability crisis. Steven MacKinnon responded that the government had acted that week on affordability through grocery support, heat pumps and lower gas taxes, laid out upcoming debates including clean water for First Nations, national defence, fuel costs and online safety, and asked all parties to agree to sit late on October 19 to debate a fuel tax bill. He also exchanged Thanksgiving wishes with Scheer.Written by AI from the debate. Updated .

Official text

2 statements

Andrew Scheer

Conservative
“I want to know the government's plans for upcoming House business. I also want to know if the government will get rid of its carbon taxes and energy laws. These policies make groceries and gas more expensive, and they push energy investments out of Canada. Finally, I want to know if the government will admit that Canada is in an affordability crisis.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, yes, it is Thursday, the highlight of CPAC’s audience’s viewing week. I would like to take this opportunity, before I ask the government House leader the business of the House for the rest of this week and for after we get back, to wish all Canadians a very happy Thanksgiving. We know there are many challenges in the world and in this country, but we are very blessed to live in a wonderful country where, despite some of those challenges, we still have a lot to be thankful for. I would like to wish all the parliamentary staff, the parliamentary community from the pages to translation, and even the member for York—Durham, a happy Thanksgiving. I will ask the government House leader this: Does he have any good news for those Canadians who are going grocery shopping this weekend? Is there any relief to undo Liberal taxes, such as the industrial carbon tax that drives up all kinds of production costs and transportation costs? Are there any plans to repeal the fuel standards tax that adds up to 17¢ cents a litre to the cost of fuel? All those groceries that have to be trucked in to grocery stores that Canadians will be buying for Thanksgiving meals are made more expensive by that tax. Are there any plans to repeal that tax? As Canadians think about economic activity and job growth, we know that Canadian energy companies invest billions of dollars outside this country, yet because of the government’s policies, now the government has to subsidize energy infrastructure in this country. Are there any plans to repeal those bad Liberal laws, such as Bill C-69 and Bill C-48, that chase investment dollars out of the country and incentivize Canadian companies to build pipelines and energy projects in other countries? Can we see any hope on the horizon that those bad pieces of Liberal legislation will be repealed? When we come back from the Thanksgiving break, there will be a vote on our opposition motion today. Can the government House leader tell us whether or not Liberals will acknowledge that, after 11 years of Liberals being in power, Canada is in an affordability crisis?

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Steven MacKinnon

Liberal

Linked statement

“This week we helped Canadians with money for groceries, heat pumps, and lower gas taxes. Here is our plan for upcoming debates, including clean water for First Nations, national defence, fuel costs, and social media safety. I am asking all parties to agree to work late on October 19 to debate the fuel tax bill.”

  • Speech in the House

    Signal 36 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, first of all, we certainly want to acknowledge the very high ratings for this part of the week with the Thursday question. I also want to celebrate the fact that, while every week is a good week to help Canadians with affordability, this week was a particularly good week, because the groceries and essentials benefit, which is up to $1,800 or $1,900 a year, went into the bank accounts of Canadians. The quarterly deposit was made. The Prime Minister announced today measures that will help tens of thousands of Canadians convert their homes to heat pumps, saving them money while helping with the cost of installation. The Parliamentary Budget Officer confirmed that our measures to reduce the gas tax and prolong the reduction will save the average family about $275 a year. It is a good week for affordability. Finally, the bill that is so obviously and patently good in terms of moving Canada’s strong economy forward that even Conservatives realized it was worthy of their support, Bill C-39, has now passed through second reading and is off to a special legislative committee. It has indeed been a good week for Canadians. Tomorrow we will proceed with second reading of Bill C-37, the first nations clean water act. When we return from constituency week, priority will be given to Bill C-40, which aims to strengthen Canada’s defence sector; Bill C-38, the Canadian fuel affordability act; and Bill C-34, the safe social media act. Note that Thursday, October 22, shall be an allotted day. Finally, seconded by the member forRegina—Qu’Appelle, I would like to seek unanimous consent for the following motion: That, notwithstanding any standing order or usual practice of the House, on Monday, October 19, 2026, the House shall continue to sit until midnight, provided that: (a) at 6:30 p.m., the Speaker shall interrupt any proceedings then before the House and such proceedings shall be deemed adjourned, and the House shall proceed forthwith to the consideration of Bill C-38, An Act to amend the Excise Tax Act (extension of the federal fuel excise tax relief); (b) after 6:30 p.m., no quorum calls, dilatory motions or requests for unanimous consent shall be received by the Chair, except for a unanimous consent motion to see the clock.

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