Translate Politics Parliament in plain language.

Government Priorities

This question period exchange was about Bill C-39, which the Bloc Québécois described as a roughly 250-page omnibus bill rolling back environmental protection, labour rights, science, intergovernmental relations and Indigenous reconciliation, and which a Bloc member said would let pipelines proceed while bypassing environmental laws and limits on consultations. Bloc Québécois members urged Liberal backbenchers and the public to oppose the bill, and cited a Liberal member who had criticized it. Government ministers argued instead that the bill would speed up renewable energy projects, hydroelectric development at Churchill Falls and Gull Island, and a high-speed rail project connecting four of Quebec’s largest cities, and invited the Bloc to support building major projects.Written by AI from the debate. Updated .

Official text

6 statements

Christine Normandin

Bloc Québécois

Linked statement

“I oppose this bill. Even a Liberal member said it lets pipelines break environmental rules and silences Indigenous voices. I want more government members to speak out against it.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, finally a Liberal has realized that Bill C‑39 is a big mistake. The member for West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country criticized the fact that Bill C‑39 grants the power to build pipelines while violating environmental laws. He spoke out against the fact that Bill C‑39 would limit the duration of consultations, which could be detrimental and could silence indigenous voices, and he is right about that. It also looks like the Prime Minister is going too far with his big beautiful bill and rollbacks that will be felt for generations. Who on the government side will speak out against this bill?

View on ourcommons.ca Grade B+ View analysis

Steven MacKinnon

Liberal
“I want the Bloc Québécois to vote for this bill. It will speed up renewable energy projects and hydroelectric work at Churchill Falls. This will help Canada and Quebec become leaders in energy.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, Canada, including Quebec, is determined to become a superpower in conventional and renewable energy. That is why I urge the Bloc Québécois to vote in favour of Bill C‑39 to accelerate renewable energy projects and the hydroelectric development in Churchill Falls, where the Government of Canada and the 44 Quebec MPs have advocated for a generational investment in the future of Quebeckers.

View on ourcommons.ca View analysis

Christine Normandin

Bloc Québécois
“I oppose this bill. It harms the environment, helps American oil companies, and hurts workers' rights. Liberal MPs should speak out against it.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, the Liberal member for West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country is right. Bill C-39 is the biggest environmental setback in recent history, but that is not all. Bill C‑39 seeks to circumvent checks and balances for the benefit of American oil companies. Bill C‑39 seeks to limit workers’ rights. Most Liberals ran for office precisely to fight this kind of measure. When will they have the courage to speak out against the Prime Minister’s big beautiful bill?

View on ourcommons.ca Grade A+ View analysis

François-Philippe Champagne

Liberal
“I want the Bloc Québécois to support this bill. Quebec has a history of building big projects, like dams and shipping ports. The Bloc should support building things instead of opposing them.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 35 of 100

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

    See full analysis

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Signal 0 of 100

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

    See full analysis
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, I am surprised by what my colleague said. There was a time when the Bloc Québécois stood up for a Quebec that builds, a Quebec that thinks big, that takes its place inside the country and around the world. Think of Quebec’s great builders, of hydroelectricity, of Mr. Bourassa, of the Contrecœur project now in progress. For once, could we hear the Bloc Québécois talk about a strong Quebec, one that builds and takes its place? On this side of the House, we, the members from Quebec, will be there to defend the interests of Quebec.

View on ourcommons.ca Grade F View analysis

Gabriel Ste-Marie

Bloc Québécois
“I want the government to reject this bill. It weakens environmental protections, labour rights, science, and Indigenous reconciliation. I want the public to speak out against it, and I want more government members to oppose it.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, omnibus Bill C-39 is 250 pages historic rollbacks on environmental protection, labour rights, science, intergovernmental relations and reconciliation with indigenous peoples. The Bloc Québécois is appealing to environmentalists, labour unions, scientists, governments and first nations: We need to mobilize. We also need other Liberals to have the same courage as their colleague from West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country and condemn Bill C-39. Who in the government is going to stand up against the Prime Minister’s big beautiful bill?

View on ourcommons.ca Grade A+ View analysis

Steven MacKinnon

Liberal
“I want the Bloc Québécois to support the high-speed train project. It will connect four of Quebec's biggest cities and help people travel for school and work.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 46 of 100

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

    See full analysis
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, beyond thinking big, as my colleague so aptly put it, and beyond the next James Bay project, which is at Churchill Falls and Gull Island, beyond all that, there is the high-speed rail project. It will connect four of Quebec’s largest cities and will be a game-changer for people across Quebec, whether they are studying, working or visiting one of our municipalities or major urban centres. I urge the Bloc Québécois to get onboard with the high-speed train. May it think big for Quebec and support the Alto project.

View on ourcommons.ca Grade B View analysis

Discussion

No comments yet

See the full discussion

Comment rules

More from sitting 148

All 46 items ·
  1. Government Orders Business of Supply 105 statements
  2. Government Orders Business of Supply 8 statements
  3. Statements by Members Latin American and Hispanic Day on the Hill 2 statements
  4. Oral Questions Finance 5 statements
  5. Oral Questions The Economy 8 statements
  6. Oral Questions Government Priorities 6 statements
  7. Oral Questions Public Services and Procurement 13 statements
  8. Oral Questions Climate Change 4 statements
  9. Oral Questions Housing 4 statements
  10. Oral Questions Employment 4 statements
  11. Oral Questions Housing 2 statements
  12. Oral Questions Agriculture and Agri-Food 2 statements
  13. Oral Questions Public Safety 4 statements
  14. Oral Questions Democratic Institutions 8 statements
  15. Oral Questions Fisheries and Oceans 6 statements
  16. Oral Questions Health 2 statements
  17. Oral Questions The Economy 6 statements
  18. Oral Questions The Environment 2 statements
  19. Oral Questions Justice 2 statements
  20. Oral Questions Health 2 statements
  21. Oral Questions Fisheries and Oceans 4 statements
  22. Oral Questions The Economy 2 statements
  23. Government Orders Business of the House 2 statements
  24. Government Orders Business of Supply 9 statements
  25. Private Members' Business Sergei Magnitsky International Anti-Corruption and Human Rights Act 15 statements
  26. Government Orders Business of Supply 8 statements
  27. Government Orders Business of Supply 42 statements
  28. Adjournment Proceedings Adjournment Proceedings 4 statements
  29. Adjournment Proceedings Adjournment Proceedings 4 statements
  30. Adjournment Proceedings Adjournment Proceedings 6 statements