Finance

This was question period on the eve of a federal budget titled “Masters of Our Destiny.” Bloc Québécois members asked whether the government would repay money Quebec says it is owed for asylum seeker costs, raise health transfers by 6% annually, and spend Quebecers’ tax dollars on Quebec priorities such as housing and culture instead of pipelines, airport sales, or concessions to the United States. Liberals answered by pointing to hydroelectric projects like Churchill Falls, the Davie shipyard contract, infrastructure spending, and federal programs such as the Canada child benefit and dental care, and invited the Bloc to support them. Conservative Michael Chong repeatedly asked whether the budget would meet targets to lower the deficit and debt, citing economists’ warnings about fiscal complacency and rising interest payments; Liberal Wayne Long replied that budget 2026 would be tabled the next day and would build a strong, diversified economy while helping people with cost of living.Written by AI from the debate. Updated .

Official text (opens in a new tab)

6 statements

Joël Lightbound, Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement and Quebec Lieutenant

Liberal
“We need to double our hydroelectric power, including big projects like Churchill Falls. The head of Hydro-Québec says this project will help Quebec stay prosperous for generations. I want the Bloc Québécois to support it.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, would anyone like to know what being masters of our destiny means? It means doubling our hydroelectric generating capacity. It means major projects like the one at Churchill Falls. The CEO of Hydro‑Québec says that project will ensure prosperity for generations of Quebeckers. For once, will the Bloc Québécois show it is capable of supporting a project that is building Quebec?

Joël Lightbound, Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement and Quebec Lieutenant

Liberal
“Our programs help people in Quebec with money for children, school food, groceries, and dental care. The Bloc Québécois should support these programs because they truly help our community.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, if my colleague wants to talk about addressing Quebeckers’ real priorities, we can talk about the Canada child benefit, which has reduced child poverty by nearly 40% in Quebec. We can talk about Canada’s national school food program, which helps 100,000 young people in Quebec. We can talk about the Canada groceries and essentials benefit. We can talk about the Canadian dental care plan, which helps millions of Quebeckers. It would be nice if, for once, the Bloc Québécois would rally behind initiatives that truly help our community.

Joël Lightbound, Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement and Quebec Lieutenant

Liberal
“All 44 Liberal members from Quebec will always work with Quebec. In the last 11 months, we gave $11 billion to the Davie shipyard and created 5,000 jobs.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, it goes without saying that all 44 members from Quebec on this side of the House will always want to work with Quebec. Take, for example, what we have done in the past 11 months: $11 billion for the Davie shipyard, 5,000 jobs, the biggest contract— Some hon. members: Oh, oh!

Joël Lightbound, Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement and Quebec Lieutenant

Liberal
“Our government has done great work for Quebec. We gave contracts to the Davie shipyard and are investing $10 billion in infrastructure, including $1 billion for health care. We will keep working with Quebec to build a strong country.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues for their enthusiasm. It is true that what we have done for Quebec is impressive. I spoke about the Davie shipyard, but I could have also mentioned the $10 billion we are investing in infrastructure, including $1 billion for health care infrastructure at Quebec’s request. We will continue to work with Quebec to build Canada strong.

Wayne Long, Secretary of State (Canada Revenue Agency and Financial Institutions)

Liberal
“We will present our budget tomorrow. We are building a strong economy by bringing in business investment, removing barriers, and spending on housing and infrastructure. We will also help Canadians who are struggling to pay for everyday life, which the Conservatives would never do.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, I have good news for the member and all members across the House. Tomorrow, we will table budget 2026. On this side of the House, we are serious about building a strong economy and the most resilient and diversified economy in the G7. We are going to continue to attract outside investment. We are going to bring down barriers. We are going to invest coast to coast in infrastructure, major projects and housing. Also, as something that party would never do, we are going to make sure we address affordability for Canadians who are struggling.

Wayne Long, Secretary of State (Canada Revenue Agency and Financial Institutions)

Liberal
“We will keep building a strong economy by investing in Canada and helping people who need it. The Conservatives voted against all of our measures to make life more affordable. We will present our new budget tomorrow.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, we are going to continue the work of building a strong economy, the most resilient economy in the G7, for all Canadians. We are going to invest in our country. We are going to continue to bring down impediments to investment. We are going to develop and double our non-U.S. investments. We believe that we can build the strongest economy in the G7 while looking after those who need support. That party has voted against every affordability measure we have ever brought forward. We stand with Canadians. Tomorrow, we will be proud to table budget 2026, another step to becoming—

Discussion

No comments yet

See the full discussion

Comment rules

More from sitting 162

  1. Oral Questions Taxation 2 statements
  2. Oral Questions Taxation 4 statements
  3. Oral Questions Publics Services and Procurement 4 statements
  4. Oral Questions Finance 11 statements
  5. Oral Questions The Economy 4 statements
  6. Oral Questions Finance 6 statements
  7. Oral Questions International Trade 6 statements
  8. Oral Questions Major Projects Office 4 statements
  9. Oral Questions Emergency Management 2 statements
  10. Oral Questions Artificial Intelligence 6 statements
  11. Oral Questions Finance 2 statements
  12. Oral Questions Public Services and Procurement 2 statements
  13. Oral Questions Finance 2 statements
  14. Oral Questions National Defence 2 statements
  15. Oral Questions Housing 2 statements
  16. Oral Questions Major Projects Office 14 statements
  17. Oral Questions Public Services and Procurement 2 statements
  18. Oral Questions The Economy 4 statements
  19. Oral Questions Steel and Aluminum Industry 4 statements
  20. Private Members' Business Wartime Service Recognition Act 12 statements
  21. Government Orders Budget 2025 Implementation Act, No. 2 31 statements
  22. Government Orders Medical Assistance in Dying Safeguards Act 177 statements
  23. Adjournment Proceedings Adjournment Proceedings 4 statements
  24. Adjournment Proceedings Adjournment Proceedings 4 statements