Chi Nguyen, Spadina—Harbourfront
Linked statement
“I support this budget and want everyone to vote for it. It helps people with the cost of living, spends 45 billion dollars on housing to end homelessness, and supports the arts. It also cuts taxes for businesses that buy new equipment to grow.”
“Mr. Speaker, I will be sharing my time with the member for Vancouver East. Budget day is a big day for all Canadians. There is no question that our world has changed. We also know that Canada has the innovation, resources and talent to be stronger than it was before. I spent much of yesterday combing through the budget for all of the details that I know will positively impact my riding of Spadina—Harbourfront. I am thrilled to rise today to add my voice in support of budget 2026. I believe strongly that it is a budget that invests in people and shapes Canada’s future. Budgets can be aspirational, but this one is also practical, with real measures that support Canadians. In a country where we are masters of our destiny, we must be able to live, work, and build our lives while being free to choose our own destiny. Budget 2026 proposes to enhance the Canada groceries and essentials benefit, with an additional payment that will raise the support in 2026-27 to about $1,290 for a single person without children and $2,570 for a couple with two children. Not only would the Canada groceries and essentials benefit lift an additional 120,000 people out of poverty in 2027, but we would see a measurable impact on the lives of women and girls. A job should allow Canadians to earn a decent living. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. That is why budget 2026 proposes to enhance the Canada workers benefit by introducing the build Canada workers benefit. Nearly two million low-income workers would receive increased assistance, including 180,000 new recipients. For workers with the lowest earnings, this could mean up to $675 more per year, and even more for those eligible for the disability supplement. Taken together, the benefit would lift an estimated 240,000 people out of poverty. Building a stronger economy also means supporting those who care for others. We cannot speak about affordability measures without speaking about those who are experiencing homelessness in Toronto. This includes families and children who are struggling to find a safe place to call home. Organizations in my riding, such as West Neighbourhood House, The Neighbourhood Group, CAMH, Parkdale Queen West Community Health Centre, St. Felix Centre and Homes First have been on the front lines working hard to support our community members, and our government has been working on this issue since day one. We know and understand that everyone deserves access to safe and affordable housing. In September, alongside the Accelerating Accessibility Coalition, I convened a round table on accessibility, community connection, health and multi-generational livability along Toronto’s waterfront. The costs of homelessness extend far beyond street homelessness. Residents have told me how important it is that they can continue to live in their communities and not be pushed out to end up looking to shelters as alternatives. This underscores the importance of our launch of Build Canada Homes to increase housing supply and build more affordable homes. Budget 2026 sets Canada on an ambitious path to end homelessness over the next decade. We are providing almost $30 billion to move people from homelessness into stable housing. Our housing plan would address the mental health and substance use challenges that are contributing to homelessness, instability and growing pressures on communities across Canada. Homelessness is a complex challenge that does not have a simple solution. It is a responsibility shared across multiple levels of government. Our federal government is doing our part. This includes $32 billion over 10 years for first nations housing and infrastructure and the launch of a first nations on-reserve infrastructure program. This amounts to nearly $45 billion in new housing investments that will strengthen Canada’s housing system, expand affordable and non-market housing and ensure that the housing market works better for everyone. We must build in all parts of Canada and ensure that those most vulnerable are not left behind. Budget 2026 is also about building opportunities to showcase Canadian identity. Spadina—Harbourfront hosts one of the most vibrant arts and culture sectors in Canada. Downtown Toronto is a site for tourists, residents and all who enjoy the arts. We have performance spaces, galleries, festivals and cultural organizations such as TIFF, the Ed Mirvish Theatre, Harbourfront Centre and the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, just to name a few, that bring the magic of creativity and innovation into our lives. It is no secret that I love the arts and that the collective of makers, designers and creatives I have met over the course of the last year has made an impact on the way I do my work here as a member of Parliament. I know the vital role arts and culture plays in our economy, our community and our national identity. Their contribution speaks for itself. Canada’s arts and culture sector contributed $65 billion in direct GDP in 2024, supports 13 jobs for every $1 million in economic output and generates an estimated $17 billion in federal and provincial tax revenue. In fact, the sector has grown faster than many traditional industries in recent years and supports hundreds of thousands of great jobs across this country. This is why budget 2026 proposes to invest $4 billion for arts and culture to protect and celebrate what makes us Canadian. This includes our government’s intention to establish a new Canada creative credit to support artists. Canadian artists will not pay tax on up to $45,000 of income derived from their creative work. I have already heard from stakeholders in my riding who immediately know the impact this will have on working artists and students who are looking to build their careers in the arts, but we have not stopped there. We are also strengthening Canadian film, media and journalism, CBC/Radio-Canada and our national cultural institutions. We are also bringing back the Canada strong pass, giving Canadians the opportunity to fully explore their communities and the people and places that make them unique. Budget 2026 would renew the Canada strong pass for summer 2027, making it permanently free for young Canadians under 25 to visit our national museums year-round. Not only does this provide free admission to Parks Canada sites and participating museums and galleries, but also savings on Via Rail travel. Spadina—Harbourfront is home to the iconic Union Station, and I know first-hand that the influx of visitors has enormously benefited small business owners in our neighbourhood. What an incredible opportunity for more children and young adults to engage more with the art, history and stories that define our country and connect with Canada’s natural beauty through our national parks. The businesses that live on the periphery of downtown tourism and of arts and culture also need opportunities to thrive. Over Thanksgiving, I hosted a small business round table and heard from a wide range of business owners and operators about the opportunities they also saw for themselves in Toronto. Business owners are community leaders. They are job creators, and they draw people into the vibrancy of our neighbourhoods. One operator described how quickly they were losing U.S. corporate bookings following tariff announcements. Others explained that uncertainty in planning for next year’s costs was forcing them to scale back their plans today. These conversations made it clear how uncertainty can hold back investment, even when business owners see opportunities to grow. In September 2026, our government announced the productivity mega deduction. Building on the productivity superdeduction introduced last year, this measure would allow businesses to immediately deduct the full cost of a broader range of capital assets, covering more than 65% of investment on a permanent basis. It would bring Canada’s marginal effective tax rate on new business investments down by half. If a business is ready to invest, that means a lower after-tax cost of getting new equipment to expand or increase their operations. A stronger Canada is a Canada where we are masters of our destiny, and that starts with giving Canadians the means to move forward, the freedom to make their own choices, and the ability to build their own future. I believe deeply in a Canada where every person, no matter where they start, has a fair shot at a great life. I believe that a Canada where we invest in people, not cut them off, demonstrates to Canadians that we show up when they need us most. To achieve this for Canadians, we must strengthen our economy so that decisions made by other world leaders do not dictate the direction of our future. We must build a Canada that gives Canadians the tools and the means to be the masters of our own destiny and, as a country, to chart our own course. I am proud to support this budget because I believe it would move us closer to that future. As our Prime Minister has said, “Nostalgia is not a strategy”. We cannot build Canada’s future by waiting for the past to return. We have to invest in the people who will build what is coming next.”
Mr. Speaker, I will be sharing my time with the member for Vancouver East. Budget day is a big day for all Canadians. There is no question that our world has changed. We also know that Canada has the innovation, resources and talent to be stronger than it was before. I spent much of yesterday combing through the budget for all of the details that I know will positively impact my riding of Spadina—Harbourfront. I am thrilled to rise today to add my voice in support of budget 2026. I believe strongly that it is a budget that invests in people and shapes Canada’s future. Budgets can be aspirational, but this one is also practical, with real measures that support Canadians. In a country where we are masters of our destiny, we must be able to live, work, and build our lives while being free to choose our own destiny. Budget 2026 proposes to enhance the Canada groceries and essentials benefit, with an additional payment that will raise the support in 2026-27 to about $1,290 for a single person without children and $2,570 for a couple with two children. Not only would the Canada groceries and essentials benefit lift an additional 120,000 people out of poverty in 2027, but we would see a measurable impact on the lives of women and girls. A job should allow Canadians to earn a decent living. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. That is why budget 2026 proposes to enhance the Canada workers benefit by introducing the build Canada workers benefit. Nearly two million low-income workers would receive increased assistance, including 180,000 new recipients. For workers with the lowest earnings, this could mean up to $675 more per year, and even more for those eligible for the disability supplement. Taken together, the benefit would lift an estimated 240,000 people out of poverty. Building a stronger economy also means supporting those who care for others. We cannot speak about affordability measures without speaking about those who are experiencing homelessness in Toronto. This includes families and children who are struggling to find a safe place to call home. Organizations in my riding, such as West Neighbourhood House, The Neighbourhood Group, CAMH, Parkdale Queen West Community Health Centre, St. Felix Centre and Homes First have been on the front lines working hard to support our community members, and our government has been working on this issue since day one. We know and understand that everyone deserves access to safe and affordable housing. In September, alongside the Accelerating Accessibility Coalition, I convened a round table on accessibility, community connection, health and multi-generational livability along Toronto’s waterfront. The costs of homelessness extend far beyond street homelessness. Residents have told me how important it is that they can continue to live in their communities and not be pushed out to end up looking to shelters as alternatives. This underscores the importance of our launch of Build Canada Homes to increase housing supply and build more affordable homes. Budget 2026 sets Canada on an ambitious path to end homelessness over the next decade. We are providing almost $30 billion to move people from homelessness into stable housing. Our housing plan would address the mental health and substance use challenges that are contributing to homelessness, instability and growing pressures on communities across Canada. Homelessness is a complex challenge that does not have a simple solution. It is a responsibility shared across multiple levels of government. Our federal government is doing our part. This includes $32 billion over 10 years for first nations housing and infrastructure and the launch of a first nations on-reserve infrastructure program. This amounts to nearly $45 billion in new housing investments that will strengthen Canada’s housing system, expand affordable and non-market housing and ensure that the housing market works better for everyone. We must build in all parts of Canada and ensure that those most vulnerable are not left behind. Budget 2026 is also about building opportunities to showcase Canadian identity. Spadina—Harbourfront hosts one of the most vibrant arts and culture sectors in Canada. Downtown Toronto is a site for tourists, residents and all who enjoy the arts. We have performance spaces, galleries, festivals and cultural organizations such as TIFF, the Ed Mirvish Theatre, Harbourfront Centre and the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, just to name a few, that bring the magic of creativity and innovation into our lives. It is no secret that I love the arts and that the collective of makers, designers and creatives I have met over the course of the last year has made an impact on the way I do my work here as a member of Parliament. I know the vital role arts and culture plays in our economy, our community and our national identity. Their contribution speaks for itself. Canada’s arts and culture sector contributed $65 billion in direct GDP in 2024, supports 13 jobs for every $1 million in economic output and generates an estimated $17 billion in federal and provincial tax revenue. In fact, the sector has grown faster than many traditional industries in recent years and supports hundreds of thousands of great jobs across this country. This is why budget 2026 proposes to invest $4 billion for arts and culture to protect and celebrate what makes us Canadian. This includes our government’s intention to establish a new Canada creative credit to support artists. Canadian artists will not pay tax on up to $45,000 of income derived from their creative work. I have already heard from stakeholders in my riding who immediately know the impact this will have on working artists and students who are looking to build their careers in the arts, but we have not stopped there. We are also strengthening Canadian film, media and journalism, CBC/Radio-Canada and our national cultural institutions. We are also bringing back the Canada strong pass, giving Canadians the opportunity to fully explore their communities and the people and places that make them unique. Budget 2026 would renew the Canada strong pass for summer 2027, making it permanently free for young Canadians under 25 to visit our national museums year-round. Not only does this provide free admission to Parks Canada sites and participating museums and galleries, but also savings on Via Rail travel. Spadina—Harbourfront is home to the iconic Union Station, and I know first-hand that the influx of visitors has enormously benefited small business owners in our neighbourhood. What an incredible opportunity for more children and young adults to engage more with the art, history and stories that define our country and connect with Canada’s natural beauty through our national parks. The businesses that live on the periphery of downtown tourism and of arts and culture also need opportunities to thrive. Over Thanksgiving, I hosted a small business round table and heard from a wide range of business owners and operators about the opportunities they also saw for themselves in Toronto. Business owners are community leaders. They are job creators, and they draw people into the vibrancy of our neighbourhoods. One operator described how quickly they were losing U.S. corporate bookings following tariff announcements. Others explained that uncertainty in planning for next year’s costs was forcing them to scale back their plans today. These conversations made it clear how uncertainty can hold back investment, even when business owners see opportunities to grow. In September 2026, our government announced the productivity mega deduction. Building on the productivity superdeduction introduced last year, this measure would allow businesses to immediately deduct the full cost of a broader range of capital assets, covering more than 65% of investment on a permanent basis. It would bring Canada’s marginal effective tax rate on new business investments down by half. If a business is ready to invest, that means a lower after-tax cost of getting new equipment to expand or increase their operations. A stronger Canada is a Canada where we are masters of our destiny, and that starts with giving Canadians the means to move forward, the freedom to make their own choices, and the ability to build their own future. I believe deeply in a Canada where every person, no matter where they start, has a fair shot at a great life. I believe that a Canada where we invest in people, not cut them off, demonstrates to Canadians that we show up when they need us most. To achieve this for Canadians, we must strengthen our economy so that decisions made by other world leaders do not dictate the direction of our future. We must build a Canada that gives Canadians the tools and the means to be the masters of our own destiny and, as a country, to chart our own course. I am proud to support this budget because I believe it would move us closer to that future. As our Prime Minister has said, “Nostalgia is not a strategy”. We cannot build Canada’s future by waiting for the past to return. We have to invest in the people who will build what is coming next.