Brendan Hanley · TranslatePolitics.ca

Government Orders

Bail and Sentencing Reform Act

2026-06-10

“I like that you talk a lot about crime bills. Talk more about how this bill helps your riding.”

Statements by Members

Westminster Hotel

2026-06-02

“A beloved local building burned down. This makes me sad. I will say kind words about my memories there to show I care about local color.”

Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, the Yukon has recently lost a treasure in the beloved and historic Westminster Hotel. I caught a last glimpse of this famous establishment, affectionately known as “The Pit”, while attending Dawson City's Gold Show just a couple of weeks ago. Though closed after flooding during December's deep freeze, the hotel still glowed with rose-coloured pride in the evening light of Dawson's early summer. Sadly, it was just the next morning that we watched this storied pink dame of Dawson give way to a fatal fire. Built during the gold rush in 1898, The Pit weathered repeated challenges from permafrost thaw, as it witnessed over a century of Dawson's countless colourful chapters, earning its reputation as Dawson's shared living room, informal post office and obligatory gathering place. My mind floods with memories soaked in the cheeky artwork of Halin de Repentigny, and I still hear the echoes of music of all brands, festive seasonal celebrations and the quiet murmur of chatting locals. An era has ended. I bid farewell to The Pit and give a fond nostalgic embrace to all in Dawson City.

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Adjournment Proceedings

2026-06-01

“I know times are hard. But don't worry, the government is spending lots of money on it. We're giving British Columbia millions of dollars for programs to help workers. We spend almost $400 million each year in B.C. alone. And we have a new plan to build lots of houses and train more trades workers. It's a big, bold Canada plan.”

Official Hansard

Madam Speaker, I want to, first of all, thank the member for Cloverdale—Langley City for her dedication to workers in her riding. I can assure her that the Government of Canada is dedicated to building a robust and inclusive workforce that supports all Canadians. These are serious and challenging times, and they must be met with a disciplined focus to help our country meet today's challenges. It is here that I would like to highlight the Government of Canada's labour market development agreements and workforce development agreements. Together, these agreements provide $2.9 billion annually in training and employment assistance services delivered through provincial and territorial employment assistance offices. These will help hundreds of thousands of Canadians upgrade their skills and find employment. In addition, new EI applicants are referred to local employment offices for customized training and employment services. This is informed by career development officers who have real-time labour market information and knowledge of local employment opportunities. However, more is needed to help Canadian workers who are affected by U.S. tariffs and global market shifts. That is why we are providing a further $570 million to the labour market development agreements to assist steel and softwood lumber workers and workers from other tariff-impacted industries. This support will be delivered through provincial and territorial networks until 2027‑28. For example, we have recently introduced $70.4 million in federal funding in the member opposite's home province under the new Canada-British Columbia workforce tariff response. It is a three-year commitment that is expected to help more than 8,000 people across the province. This is in addition to the nearly $400 million we spend each year supporting employment programs in British Columbia. Tariffs have created stress and uncertainty for workers, employers and communities across Canada, and that is why we are working closely with governments at all levels to strengthen local economies and protect workers' jobs. I can assure everyone that our elbows are up. Times are tough, but we have a plan, and we are working together to keep our elbows up to continue supporting our economy and building Canada strong. We know that our workers are at the heart of Canada's economic strength. We are investing heavily in our people to develop greater economic resilience in all sectors. It is no secret that tariffs have hit the steel, automotive and softwood lumber sectors the hardest. That is why we are focusing on building an economy that is not reliant on one single partner. We are building a resilient economy that will help create new job opportunities for Canadian workers, an economy that remains focused on improving the outlook for Canadian workers to help them find and keep good jobs here at home. Helping Canadian workers is our top priority. That is why our spring economic update recently announced $6 billion focused on helping workers and young people gain the skills, experience and support they need to thrive. Canada is building big and bold. We have a plan to build no fewer than 500,000 homes each year, and it is called team Canada strong. It is a cornerstone of our spring economic update. It is a plan to recruit, train and hire up to 100,000 new Red Seal trades workers in the next five years, a plan that will make it easier for apprentices to learn, train and access meaningful careers. We know there is more work to do to support Canadians, but I can assure everyone that we will always be there to support Canadian employers, workers and families.

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“I want to defend our government's actions to make life more affordable. We cut fuel taxes temporarily. We gave people a groceries benefit. We extended the homebuyers plan grace period. The opposition wants more, but we're already spending a lot.”

Official Hansard

Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Elgin—St. Thomas—London South for speaking not only on behalf of his constituents but for all Canadians who are facing an affordability crisis. We are all seized with meeting Canadians where they are through this affordability crisis, while working on building the country up. Canadians are facing heightened affordability pressures from sources beyond our control, so it is more important that we find opportunities for improvement within our control. We know that Canadians are feeling the pressures of everyday expenses right now, especially when it comes to the cost of fuel. As a northerner, I know how much everything depends on the price of fuel. Canadians and consumers around the world are facing higher prices at the pump, creating uncertainty and pressure on household finances. That is why, on April 14, the Prime Minister announced a temporary suspension of the federal fuel excise tax on gasoline, diesel and aviation fuels across Canada. This suspension started April 20 and will remain in effect right up until Labour Day. This is expected to reduce Canadians' bills at the pump by up to 10¢ per litre on gasoline. Combined with our elimination of the consumer carbon tax, that amounts to 28¢ per litre. That is real and tangible, and it is in addition to the other measures we put in place to support Canadians. We introduced the Canada groceries and essentials benefit to make everyday essentials such groceries more affordable. This measure builds on the GST credit and will provide additional support for more than 12 million Canadians. It will start with a one-time top-up this Friday, in just four days. Combined with a 25% increase in the benefit for five years as of next month, a family of four will receive up to $1,890 this year, and a single person will receive up to $950 in 2026. We also know that a big part of taking things into our own hands is making life more affordable for Canadians. That is why Bill C-30 is proposing to extend the grace period, during which homeowners are not required to start repaying their homebuyers plan withdrawals from their RRSP, from two years to five years for participants making a first withdrawal between January 1, 2026 and December 31, 2028. The homebuyers plan helps eligible homebuyers save for a down payment by allowing them to withdraw up to $60,000 from an RRSP to purchase or build their first home or a home for a specified disabled person without having to pay tax on the withdrawal. This extended grace period already applies to withdrawals made between 2022 and 2025, and it provides relief of up to $4,000 per individual per year for the three years over which they are not required to repay the amount into their RRSP. Everyone deserves a roof over their head. That is why our government is taking action to put housing and home ownership within reach of Canadians. That is in addition to all the other measures. Just the other week, in the Yukon, I was able to put some of this commitment into action with an announcement with the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure of $100 million toward housing, $82 million into infrastructure and $75 million into health infrastructure. This is about building north and building Canada strong.

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Oral Questions

Northern Affairs

2026-05-29

“Thank you for saying good things about our party. The government should spend more taxpayer money on my preferred programs in the north.”

Statements by Members

Canada Strong for All

2026-05-01

“Look at all the good things we are doing with your money. We are making life better for Canadians.”

Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, in the 2026 spring economic update, we celebrate a vision of a more inclusive future. Our “Canada Strong for All” plan reflects sound fiscal management while making responsible investments in Canadian families. Let me highlight just a few features members may have missed. The playground to podium initiative invests over $700 million in sports development and infrastructure so our youth can thrive. We are building for the long term with the new Canada Strong fund, ensuring our technological and energy sovereignty. Team Canada strong will empower 100,000 new Red Seal workers to build the housing and infrastructure our country needs. We are simplifying the disability tax credit to ensure that Canadians can access their benefits with efficiency and dignity. Canada strong for all delivers growth people can count on. Together, we are building a resilient, ambitious and truly strong nation for all.

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Oral Questions

Indigenous Affairs

2026-04-24

“You're wrong. We're appealing the ruling. We prefer negotiation over courts. Private property has never been lost in our deals with First Nations.”

Statements by Members

Yukon Tourism

2026-04-24

“I'm praising my riding. I want more money for it. I want to cheer for our projects that get money.”

Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, it is a well-known fact that when someone visits the Yukon, they will come back. In fact, they may never leave. There are raw adventures, like the gruelling Arctic Ultra in 40 below, or the luxury of viewing northern lights from a fire-warmed cabin. We have it all, and we have it for anyone: hot springs, dog-sledding, kayaking, hiking, or paddling downriver to Dawson City to take in the show at Diamond Tooth Gerties after a soak in the spa. Sharing this extraordinary scenery, culture and community with the world is an important part of our local economy. Tourism represents close to 5% of the territory's GDP, and the industry is still growing. I am proud of the investments our government has made toward Yukon tourism, including funding for Josie's Old Crow Adventures, alpine glamping, wellness on the land, the MacBride Museum and many more. On this final day of National Tourism Week, led by the Tourism Industry Association of Canada, I salute and thank the operators, guides, entrepreneurs, artists and community leaders who make every visit to the Yukon an unforgettable experience.

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