“Canada has the lowest debt compared to the size of its economy of any G7 country. This means we have the room to spend money to make our country and economy stronger. I want the member to share her thoughts on why this work is so important.”

“Mr. Speaker, I wonder if I could get my colleague’s reflections or thoughts in regard to the fact that Canada has the lowest net debt to GDP in the G7. We have great fiscal capacity, and by using that fiscal capacity, we are able to build a stronger and healthier Canada, a Canada that works for all. I am wondering if the member could provide her perspective on why it is so important that we continue to work diligently on building that stronger economy.”

“Our strong finances let us invest in Canadian businesses. Organic food makes up only 25 percent of the market here, and I hope the coming budget invests in growing more organic food at home so we do not have to import it.”

“Mr. Speaker, my hon. colleague is never absent for finding the words that need to be said in the House. I think the fact that we have that fiscal capacity is the reason we are able to invest so much money into, as an example, Farm Credit Canada. I met with the Canadian organic group this morning, and we are helping all these different businesses to be able to expand and grow. Organics take up only 25% of the market, yet there is a need for them to grow. Investments that I hope are going to be in Thursday’s budget would invest more into increasing the growth of more organics right here in Canada so we do not have to reach outside our domestic portfolio to receive the good organic food we want.”

“The new budget is coming out this week. Why is it important that we keep going in the same direction we have taken since the last election?”

“Mr. Speaker, this week is very exciting because of the fact that there will be a budget coming out. Does the member have any reflections on why it is so important that we continue on in the same stream we have been taking since the last election, when we elected a new Prime Minister?”

“Our government is investing in Canadians and helping businesses expand. Our leaders are working to make Canada strong.”

“Mr. Speaker, we are investing in Canadians. We are helping businesses throughout Canada to expand and to diversify, for Canada to truly come to a level of maturity with the leadership that is being shown now through our Prime Minister, our Minister of Finance and all members of the House who are working to make Canada strong and to build strong.”

“The Conservatives do not have a plan. Our plan is clear. We are investing in our industries, supporting our military, and building up this country. We are improving the port in Montreal and expanding the port in Vancouver. I want the member to tell us what he thinks of these two big port projects.”

“Mr. Speaker, the member opposite’s speech used the sailing analogy very well, I find, but the only fog that I see in the House is the Conservative plan, because there is no plan. Our plan is clear. We are going to build this country. We are going to invest in our industries, and we are going to make sure that our sailors and army people have what they need. The member across the way likes to talk about shipping. I would like his comments on two huge projects, one that is under way and one soon to be under way. Contrecoeur, along the port of Montreal, is being built as we speak so that shipping is even better, and on the western side of the country, the port of Vancouver is going to be expanded. What does he think of those investments?”

“The member is wrong about our military. We have invested a lot of money in almost every part of it. He is also wrong about using a Crown corporation. Crown corporations work well and can help us buy better equipment for our military.”

“Mr. Speaker, I genuinely believe that the member is wrong on a number of assessments in regard to the Canadian Forces. Since Canadians elected the new Prime Minister, there have been substantial investments in the Canadian military, virtually all aspects of it. The member is also wrong in regard to the issue of transparency and accountability with respect to Bill C-40. Having a Crown corporation has proven to be very effective. Provinces, municipalities and the federal government have ample examples of that. Why does the Conservative Party not understand that Crown corporations can ensure a better procurement process for our military?”

“I want the House to pass this budget bill. It helps businesses write off new investments faster, supports clean hydrogen, stops companies from banning workers from moving to rivals, and automatically files taxes for low-income people so they get their benefits.”

“Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to take part in today’s debate at the third reading of Bill C-31, the budget 2025 implementation act, no. 2. Budget 2025 set out our detailed plan to build Canada strong at a time of great uncertainty. We all see it every day: The global economy is undergoing a profound transformation. After decades of growth driven by globalization and free trade, a fundamental change is under way, shaped by economic nationalism, geopolitical uncertainty and fast-paced technological advances. We can clearly see that these changes are generating a lot of concern in our communities. I must say that I see it in my riding. We cannot simply stand idly by while these changes happen. We must respond to them with meaningful measures. Above all, we must rely on our strengths to ensure that Canada not only withstands the global upheaval, but also makes the most of any opportunities it creates. Canada has everything the world wants. We are a superpower in both green and conventional energy, and we are among the world’s top five producers of many critical minerals. Canada is also a leader in AI and quantum computing. We have a highly educated workforce, and we can attract the best international talent. By investing in our strengths, particularly through projects of national interest, our government will stimulate the growth of these industries and help businesses thrive in today’s economy. Since this budget was tabled, our government has acted quickly to build the major infrastructure, homes and industries that drive Canada’s economic growth and create lasting prosperity. In doing so, we are giving Canadians what they need to succeed with more rewarding careers and a more affordable life. We are also protecting our communities, our borders and our way of life. Through Bill C‑31, we are implementing several of these important measures from budget 2025. As we all know, we live in a rapidly changing world, and the global economy is in a state of high uncertainty. Now more than ever, it is vital that we adapt and take steps accordingly here at home. It is also vital that our government invests in Canada so that we can build our industrial production capacity and enable all of our workers and industries to compete on the world stage. There are many measures in Bill C-31 that will help with that. These truly are measures to build Canada strong. One of the measures in Bill C‑31 provides for immediate expensing for manufacturing and processing businesses. Simply put, this means that these businesses will be able to write off 100% of their investment in the first year. Through this measure and the productivity mega deduction, our government is encouraging capital investment and long-term economic growth by allowing businesses to immediately write off more of the costs of their new investments. This measure will make it easier for businesses to invest and grow from now on. Another noteworthy measure in Bill C-31 is the expansion of the eligibility criteria for the clean hydrogen investment tax credit to include methane pyrolysis. As members know, Canada aims to build a future based on clean energy, and hydrogen is part of that equation. I would like to note that this expansion of the tax credit will be available retroactively as of December 16, 2024. Our government fully understands that a competitive labour market fosters innovation and productivity. However, the use of non-compete agreements that prevent workers from moving to rivals or starting a competing business reduces competition and undermines the efficiency of the labour market. That is why Bill C-31 amends the Canada Labour Code to restrict the use of non-compete agreements in employment contracts for federally regulated businesses. That way, we will protect workers’ rights, promote labour mobility, strengthen competition, and empower workers to move to a higher-paying job or start their own business. This is an important measure to support all our workers and to give them more freedom to act in their own best interests. Finally, the government is aware that millions of lower-income Canadians do not file their taxes, either because they do not have the resources to do so or because they think their income is too low to owe taxes. This means that people who most need benefits often do not receive them, causing some Canadians to miss out on the Canada groceries and essentials benefit, the Canada child benefit, the Canada workers benefit, and more benefits they are entitled to. That is why Bill C-31 proposes to allow the CRA to file a tax return on behalf of certain eligible individuals with lower incomes in simple tax situations who do not owe tax and do not file themselves. This measure ensures that help gets to the people who need it most. When Canadians keep more of the money they earn, they are better able to provide for their families, invest in their communities and build the future they want. We live in a rapidly changing and uncertain world. Now more than ever, we need to adapt to improve make our great country more competitive. Our government proposed several measures to enhance competitiveness in budget 2025, and Bill C‑31 will implement many of them. With these measures, we are helping our businesses, our industries and our workers be even more competitive on the world stage. In this uncertain world, our government is acting quickly and decisively. That is how we are going to build Canada strong. In conclusion, Bill C‑31 includes many measures that will help make our economy even stronger, and I urge all my colleagues to support it.”

• Echo ×35

  A repeated line

  “We are going to build Canada strong.”

  Said 35 times by 15 members since April 24.

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“A federal program is helping build 30 homes for vulnerable people in my riding. This project would not have happened without that program, and we need it to get more homes built.”

“Mr. Speaker, I can just say that, in Les Pays-d’en-Haut, there has been some work that was made possible thanks to Build Canada Homes. A co-op in Saint‑Calixte, in my riding, has been able to build 30 housing units for vulnerable people. Construction has begun, and Build Canada Homes is the entity that made it possible. Without Build Canada Homes, the project would never have seen the light of day. There are a lot of projects worth building, and Build Canada Homes is really the vehicle to get them built.”

“Our government has introduced programs to make life more affordable, including bigger rebates for groceries and essentials and a tax break. Conservatives usually vote against these. Millions of Canadians across the country benefit from them, and I want the member to admit that.”

“Mr. Speaker, as the member is aware, there are numerous affordability policies or positions that the government has taken to support Canadians, even though the Conservatives tend to vote against them. One of the ones that should be highlighted is the development of the Canada groceries and essentials benefit. That is an ongoing program. Its initial announcement saw substantial increases as we converted the GST rebate. Can the member provide his thoughts on how that is literally helping millions of Canadians in every region of our country, either that or the tax break—”

“The government's programs to make life more affordable are helping people in my riding. People and dentists here support the dental program and the tax credit. Dental health is part of overall health.”

“Mr. Speaker, we see that every day in my riding. People are benefiting from this tax credit and also from the dental program. My mother actually uses the dental program and finds it very useful. I have been speaking with dentists all across my riding. Everybody is on board with this program. Everybody realizes how beneficial it is because dental programs are health programs. If we have dental health, we have general health. I think all the affordability programs the government has put into effect are very beneficial and it shows up for the people of Les Pays-d’en-Haut.”

“Homelessness is a growing problem, even in rural areas. I believe the new budget this Thursday will include help to deal with it across Canada.”

“Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague, whom I hold in high regard. She brought up homelessness. This is indeed a problem that was once unheard of in many rural communities, but we are beginning to see it there as well. As we know, budget 2026 will be tabled on Thursday. In light of the announcements made by Quebec and by the federal government, I believe that it will contain measures to address homelessness across Quebec and throughout Canada.”

“The member is misinformed and does not understand the housing market. Millions of Canadians rely on CMHC to get a mortgage. Stephen Harper raised the CMHC guarantee limit by over $200 billion, which is more than what we are doing. The Conservatives are wrong to try to restrict CMHC now.”

“Mr. Speaker, I would suggest that the member is somewhat misinformed and does not quite understand the housing market. Even Stephen Harper increased it by over $200 billion. This increase, I believe, is less than what Stephen Harper would have done. Let us look at what the Conservatives are saying today: They do not want CMHC to guarantee mortgages. Do they know how many people rely on CMHC? Chances are, the member’s own parents went through CMHC, as literally millions of Canadians do. Why does he want to put restraints on CMHC today when Stephen Harper did not have any problem increasing it by over $200 million?”

“People in my colleague's community have needed food bank drives since 1992. I want him to say if he thinks we should offer help to the people who depend on them.”

“Mr. Speaker, I recognize that my hon. colleague has been here for the same amount of time that I have been here. I wish him good luck with the food drive this weekend. I would also observe that the food drive has been going on in his community through seven prime ministers, since 1992, as well as the importance of making assistance available to Canadians in Niagara South who may need it. I want to ask the hon. member if he believes we should be offering assistance to people like those in Niagara South who depend on the food bank.”

“People with open work permits or students who have lived in Quebec for a long time should be considered for permanent residency. I want to know where the Bloc Québécois stands on letting them stay.”

“Mr. Speaker, the member was talking about immigration, and I want to pick up on that particular point. When we think of open work permits or people who are studying in the province of Quebec and have been there for an extended period of time, does the member have any sense that they should ultimately be allowed the opportunity to become permanent residents? What is the Bloc’s position on issues of that nature?”

“The Conservatives keep trying to talk about a different bill and public corporations. These corporations do well across the country and in British Columbia, and the government holds them accountable. We should focus on the budget bill that is actually in front of us.”

“Mr. Speaker, the Conservatives want to debate Bill C-40 more and more it seems, and I get it. They do not like Crown corporations, even though Crown corporations in Canada have done, from a national perspective, exceptionally well, as they have done in many provincial jurisdictions, including the member’s home province of British Columbia, where there are many Crown corporations. Crown corporations are, in fact, held accountable, because even though they are at arm’s length, there is usually a minister tied to a Crown corporation. There are annual reports. There is a litany of things to ensure accountability and transparency, but the Conservative line seems to be to oppose Bill C-40 at all costs. Here we are on Bill C-31. Why does the member want to talk about Crown corporations—”

“Our government increased military spending to 2% of our economy. We now buy military equipment through a Crown corporation, which works better and faster. Conservatives should change their minds and support this.”

“Mr. Speaker, this is very simple to understand. The government, since the last federal election 18 months ago, has evolved military procurement into a Crown corporation. Crown corporations have proven to be exceptionally effective at delivering tangible results. The Prime Minister and this government increased military expenditures to 2% of Canada’s GDP. If the member wants to support our men and women in the forces, I believe the Conservative Party needs to reverse its positioning on Crown corporations and recognize that Crown corporations are able to deliver in a timely, more efficient manner.”

“This bill gives businesses a big tax deduction so they can get more money to invest. The Bank of Canada says it helps, especially when our trade with the United States is uncertain. I want to know what my colleague thinks about this.”

“Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague, whose speech I enjoyed a great deal. The recent monetary policy report clearly shows that the Governor of the Bank of Canada, in his analyses, uses the mega deduction provided in the bill as an example. The mega deduction will give businesses greater access to capital and enable them to make additional investments at a time of uncertainty in our relationship with our neighbours to the south. This mega deduction is worth highlighting; it is a Canadian monetary policy with a significant impact on our businesses and on investment. I would like to hear my colleague’s thoughts on that.”