Claude Guay

In response to a question from Gérard Deltell

“We need to adapt when things change instead of using old ideas that do not work. Money meant for the cultural sector never reached it because of lawsuits. That is why we chose to try a different approach.”

“Mr. Speaker, I would like to highlight my colleague’s remarks earlier this afternoon in this debate. I completely agreed with him when he said that it is necessary to learn. When things change, it is necessary to adapt. It is a bad idea to always fall back on formulas that do not work. By the way, I did not hear the discussion, but the money that was supposed to come from those media outlets was not distributed. No one in the cultural sector benefited from it, because there were lawsuits. It went to court. That money could not be distributed to the cultural sector. Our cultural environment did not benefit from it. That is why we decided to take a different approach.”

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In response to a question from Andréanne Larouche

“We will still provide the $600 million for arts and culture, and more details will come soon. On top of that, we have already started giving out another $550 million to Canadian media, film, and arts groups.”

“Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the government, I am pleased to share its commitment to provide the $600 million that my colleague mentioned. A lot more information will be provided in the coming days. I look forward to it. That said, I also want to inform my colleague that in addition to the $600 million, another $550 million has already been distributed: $192 million to the CBC/Radio‑Canada; $150 million to Telefilm Canada; $127 million to the Canada Media Fund; $48 million to the Canada Music Fund; $26 million to the National Film Board of Canada; and $6 million to the Canada Council for the Arts. Most of these amounts, except for the funds provided to CBC/Radio‑Canada, will be spread out over three years, although the distribution has already started. I thank my colleague for her question and for the opportunity to share this information.”

In response to a question from Marilyn Gladu

“Our cultural sector supports 172,000 jobs and shares our stories with the world. The industry is facing big challenges as technology and audience habits change. The government is supporting workers and creators with funding, rules for online streaming platforms, and plans to modernize our arts programs. I am ready to answer questions.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise in the House today to talk about the importance of the cultural sector, its future and its workers. I am pleased to do so. The cultural sector provides 172,000 jobs across the country for artists, creators, broadcasters, writers and video game programmers. They perform a multitude of roles in front of and behind the camera, on stage and behind the scenes. Behind a show are screenwriters, crews and sound and editing specialists. Behind an album are artists, directors, technicians and partners who work to bring it to audiences. Each new project creates work for those teams. It allows businesses to draw on their suppliers, gives emerging professionals an opportunity to gain experience, and enables established workers to pass on their know-how. That is how an industry is through: through a continuous stream of projects, the experience gained along the way and the capacity to reinvest in future opportunities. We want to preserve that expertise in Canada. We want to empower businesses to build on their successes. We want Canadian artists, workers and cultural enterprises to be able to build their future here. We want their talents to translate into projects, jobs and opportunities for growth both at home and abroad. Their contribution, through their creativity, expertise and dedication, extends far beyond the economy. These are the people who bring to life the stories that define us, that reflect the diversity of our experiences and that showcase Quebec and Canadian culture at home and abroad. Our talented artists have demonstrated their ability to connect with audiences around the world. In recent years, television series such as Empathie and Heated Rivalry have enjoyed great success. Artists such as the members of Angine de Poitrine, whose alien language is somewhat beyond me, are making their mark all over the world. Robert Lepage, Denis Villeneuve and Yannick Nézet‑Séguin are all artists who are a source of pride for us and who are recognized both here and abroad. Their success raises the profile of our creators and the expertise of our teams. We want others to be able to follow in their footsteps and develop their careers. We recognize, however, that the sector is facing significant challenges. Traditional media revenues are under pressure, audience habits continue to evolve, and companies must adapt their business models. When a production is delayed, the consequences are felt by the whole team; contracts become less frequent and income less predictable. The next generation may find fewer opportunities to learn and gain initial experience. In the long term, this uncertainty may jeopardize our ability to retain talent and keep experienced teams in place. We must address immediate needs while laying the groundwork for future growth. Last June, our government announced a $600-million investment to provide stability and immediate support to the audiovisual sector. We recognize the importance of this investment, which will be distributed to the sector as soon as possible. This is a commitment the government has made. We want to support the ability to create and distribute Canadian content. We also want to keep services accessible and affordable so that families can continue to watch Canadian movies and TV shows and listen to our artists. The sector’s strength also relies on fair contributions by all broadcasting system participants, including online streaming services, to support the creation and promotion of Quebec and Canadian content. The Online Streaming Act made it possible to incorporate these services into the broadcasting framework. The CRTC developed the regulatory obligations applicable to the audio and audiovisual sector. We announced our plans to review certain requirements, draft new policies and maintain strong support for our content while taking the different business models and the cost of services to households into account. We are also looking for ways to modernize our institutions and the funding mechanisms that support the audiovisual industry. We want our policy tools to better support companies throughout their development, from the creation of a project to its dissemination to audiences. The advisory group that met this year underscored the importance of intellectual property, distribution, audience development and revenue. We want Canadian businesses to be able to keep more of the value inherent in their creations. This would enable them to reinvest, develop new projects and strengthen their presence in the market. We are also looking into creating a new federal body that would merge Telefilm Canada, the National Film Board and the Canada Media Fund and broaden their mandates. However, a decision has not yet been made in that regard. The sector’s future also depends on skills and workers. Artificial intelligence, which is important to mention, and all the changes in technology have changed the way things are done. What we want is for workers to be able to continue learning, for the next generation to develop its expertise and for businesses to have the ability to experiment and innovate. We want the regions and groups that face more barriers to also benefit from these opportunities. It is also important to mention indigenous sovereignty, as well as inclusion and fairness, which must also guide this discussion. We are also giving equal attention to people who work in our media sector. Producing accurate news requires journalists, production teams and time to investigate, verify facts and explain what is happening. Preserving this capacity is essential to democratic life, particularly when misinformation spreads quickly. In the spring economic update, we announced our intention to consult on expanding the Canadian journalism labour tax credit to include audio and audiovisual production. We want the future of these sectors to offer opportunities in all communities. Francophone creators must be able to create and reach their audiences. Indigenous creators must be able to share their stories and languages. Official language minority communities must see their realities reflected in our media. This diversity fuels creativity and enriches the content available to the public. It contributes to our sense of belonging and strengthens the bonds between communities. We therefore want to support an industry capable of offering opportunities to these workers, developing talent, and helping local businesses in this sector to grow. As we prepare for this future, we will support jobs and the expertise that is so valuable. We are also preserving our ability to create right here in Canada, from coast to coast to coast. We want to tell our stories, the stories of all the different communities in our beautiful country, and share them with the world, not just here at home. I will now answer my colleagues’ questions.”

In response to a question from Cheryl Gallant

“Our government supports military members and their families. We increased their total benefits package by 20%. Our housing support helps members who face high rent in the private market. For members living in military housing, rents went up an average of $57 a month this year based on the law. But rent increases are capped at $100 a month, and no one pays more than a quarter of their household income.”

“Mr. Speaker, I share the member’s concerns about the well-being of our service members, who serve this country with pride and professionalism every day. This is an issue that is close to my heart. I am the father of a Canadian Armed Forces member who has a small family to support. This means ensuring that the Canadian Armed Forces have the support they need to thrive and succeed, and that members are fairly compensated given the unique challenges of military service. That is why we have increased the total benefits package for members of the Canadian Armed Forces by 20% by modernizing the military factor adjustment and other allowances, in addition to introducing several new ones. We know that affordable housing is a real challenge for many military families, just as it is for Canadians in general. I can understand the anxiety caused by changes to housing costs and allowances. They are not easy to understand at first glance. I will try to clarify things. The member is raising two separate issues: the Canadian Forces housing differential for members renting in a private housing market, and shelter charges for members living in DND-managed residential housing units. These are governed differently, with different protections for each group of members. The housing differential is not a universal benefit. It is a tailored monthly payment to help members when private housing costs in their place of duty outpace their income. The Canadian Forces housing differential policy is reviewed annually to ensure that it reflects changes in members’ circumstances. In 2026, median private-market rental costs fell in more than half of the regions. In addition to the housing differential, housing charges apply to members residing in accommodations managed by the Department of National Defence. These charges do not strictly constitute rent, as the government does not have a landlord-tenant relationship with members of the Canadian Armed Forces. The Canadian Forces Housing Agency is required by law to annually review the base shelter cost to reflect the local market. This is done by applying the Statistics Canada consumer price index, and for 2026-27, the local reviews resulted in a 5% increase that translates to a national average of $57 per month. Annual increases are capped at $100 per month for existing occupants, and members are protected from paying more than 25% of their gross household income in shelter charges. We look after our military personnel and provide them with affordable housing and fair pay so that they can focus on the demanding task of protecting Canada.”

In response to a question from Arnold Viersen

“We are helping families with rising costs by extending fuel tax relief. High gas prices are caused by global issues like the war in Ukraine, not Canadians. Working with our world partners has already brought fuel prices down by 5%.”

“Mr. Speaker, Canadians expect their government to respond to rising costs with practical solutions, which does not take a master’s degree in economics, and that is exactly what the government is doing. Extending the fuel tax relief is only one important measure helping families and workers. What is really important is that the member’s question ignored the root cause of the fuel supply challenges, which is the Russian aggression in Ukraine and the situation in the Strait of Hormuz. Instead, he tries to blame Canadians. With our G7 partners, we are working to address this issue, and since an agreement was reached last Friday to increase fuel supplies, prices have declined by 5%. This demonstrates that global action is required to address global challenges, because the increase in Canadian production alone is not enough. Affordability requires—”

In response to a question from Arnold Viersen

“Our government is helping Canadians with the high cost of living. We paused the fuel tax to lower gas prices, sent extra money for groceries, and removed the sales tax on new homes for first-time buyers. We are taking real action across the board to lower everyday costs.”

“Mr. Speaker, Canadians are living through a period of economic uncertainty shaped by global instability and rising costs. In response, this government continues to focus on what we can control, not on one specific measure, by looking at the total picture: building a strong Canadian economy, diversifying our trade partners abroad, delivering responsible fiscal management and supporting Canadians who are under pressure from everyday expenses. People across the country are worried about the price of essentials like fuel, food, housing and daily necessities. That is maybe why the member heard about housing. This government understands those pressures, and we are taking concrete, responsible action to ease the burden while safeguarding long-term economic stability. This includes immediate support on daily costs. In April, we temporarily lifted the excise tax on gasoline and diesel through the summer months, initially planned until Labour Day. On the first day of implementation in April, gasoline prices declined by 11¢ per litre, delivering immediate relief to consumers. We also ended the fuel charge last year. On September 2, we announced an extension of the measure until January 31, 2027, after which we will apply 50% of the regular excise tax rate from February 1 to March 31, 2027. All told, this is estimated to provide $5.3 billion in tax relief for Canadians, of which $2.9 billion is from the September extension. This pause on the excise tax lowers prices at the pump and helps reduce transportation and production costs across the economy, supporting families, truck drivers and the businesses that rely on them to move goods. Many businesses also get back the GST on fuel through their income tax returns. The government also introduced the new Canada groceries and essentials benefit to provide additional significant support to more than 12 million Canadians. It is based on the goods and services tax credit, but it is more generous. As of July 2026, payment amounts have increased by 25% for five years, and in June, those 12 million Canadians received a one-time top-up payment. Combined, this means that a family of four will receive up to $1,890 this year and a single person up to $950. We know that housing affordability continues to challenge many Canadians, just like the price of fuel, especially those trying to purchase their first home. That is why we eliminated the GST for first-time homebuyers on new homes valued up to $1 million, a measure that can provide savings of up to $50,000. Taken together as a whole, these and other actions reflect a balanced approach, immediate cost relief, targeted support for those who need it the most, and prudent management of the public purse, which the member opposite and his team often suggest to us. This government continues to respond to affordability pressures with fairness, discipline and a focus on results for all Canadians.”

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In response to a question from Alexis Deschênes

“This bill has one group coordinate all the rules for a project. Just because the fisheries department is not mentioned does not mean it loses its say. Projects will still have to follow every rule.”

“Mr. Speaker, I will help my colleague understand the bill. The fact that the Department of Fisheries and Oceans has not been brought up does not mean that it has no say. It simply means that one organization is responsible for coordinating all of our standards and rules across Canada on behalf of the project. Just because it is not mentioned at the outset and just because it will not be done sequentially by each of these groups does not mean that we are getting rid of responsibilities or that the project proponent does not have to comply with the rules in all cases. That must apply.”

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In response to a question from Arnold Viersen

“I want the House to pass this bill. It takes lessons from earlier legislation and applies them to all investment projects in Canada. It will help the government make clearer and faster decisions on projects while keeping the rules and openness people expect.”

“Mr. Speaker, this bill is based on the lessons that we learned from Bill C-5, and it provides us with an opportunity to apply those lessons to all investment projects in Canada. This is part of our commitment to reach our full potential and build unwavering resilience. This bill will improve government operations, provide greater clarity and predictability and ensure that decisions on the right projects are made in a timely manner. All this will be done while maintaining the safeguards and transparency that Canadians expect.”

“I want the House to pass this bill. It sets clear, faster deadlines for expert regulators to review major energy and nuclear projects. This will give investors certainty without lowering environmental standards or weakening our duty to consult Indigenous peoples.”

“Mr. Speaker, it is an honour to rise in the House today to speak to some of the natural resource development aspects of this bill. However, before I address these points, I know that Canadians want to understand why we are proposing these changes. Earlier this month, we hosted our country’s first-ever investment summit. The world came to Toronto to learn that Canada thinks big, and we gave them the opportunity to build with us. Investors from nearly 30 countries liked what they heard. They understand that we are committed to making Canada the most competitive country in the G7 for new investment. The $500 billion in capital raised in two days is a game-changer. It sends a clear signal to investors around the world that Canada has what the world is looking for. We have clear evidence that the world agrees with us. Canada did not reach that remarkable position by chance, but through a series of choices that deliver on our commitment to making Canada an energy and natural resource superpower. We implemented many measures to attract those investments, including lowering taxes on income, capital gains and new business investments. We eliminated all federal barriers to internal trade, opened a new Major Projects Office and introduced historic regulatory reforms to streamline the construction of infrastructure that makes us a superpower in clean and conventional energy. However, we can do more to attract investors while keeping the commitments that are important to Canadians, our commitments and obligations to the environment and indigenous peoples. That is precisely what I will be discussing today. Investors have told us time and time again that they need certainty. Today, we have the opportunity to apply the lessons we learned from the Building Canada Act to all major projects. The measures I am speaking about today are meant to ensure that two independent federal agencies within the Natural Resources portfolio—the Canada Energy Regulator and the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission—complete assessments for projects under their jurisdiction faster and more conclusively. The best projects will advance quickly, without ever compromising our commitment to identifying and addressing environmental, indigenous and socio-economic concerns pertaining to major projects. In other words, we are making the system work better without lowering our standards. For greater certainty and to maintain robust oversight, the proposed legislation provides for a number of changes. First, it amends the Canadian Energy Regulator Act and the Impact Assessment Act to assign environmental assessments to expert Canadian regulatory agencies for projects under their jurisdiction. These agencies are the Canada Energy Regulator and the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission. They will also be responsible for coordinating federal permits and Crown consultations, which will promote more constructive dialogue, based on respect for rights. This bill formalizes that coordination role. The result is a more transparent and predictable process that is easier to understand and that reduces duplication and delays. It is a win-win situation. Investors benefit from greater certainty. Canadians benefit from a transparent and accountable system. Workers benefit from a framework that fosters the creation of thousands of jobs. We are meeting Canadians’ expectations with transparency and speed for a specific category of projects overseen by the Canada Energy Regulator, known as the CER. The overall objective is clear. Once an application is submitted and deemed complete, the CER will conduct an assessment and coordinate permit-related activities, with the goal of reaching a final decision on the environmental assessment and permits within one year. This does not mean cutting any corners. Rather, it is about arriving at a decision more efficiently, after doing the necessary work to identify a project’s potential impacts on the environment, indigenous peoples and communities, and to determine whether those impacts can be managed and mitigated appropriately. To help get to a faster final decision, the legislation would also establish very specific new timelines. For smaller, more routine projects, particularly those that have been designed to run alongside land that has already been developed for provincial or federally regulated infrastructure, these amendments would create shorter assessment deadlines. For projects requiring new rights-of-way of 40 kilometres or less, the timelines would be reduced from 300 days to 180 days, or from 10 months to six months. For new rights-of-way longer than 40 kilometres and less than 300 kilometres, the timeline for reaching a final decision would be reduced from 450 days to 300 days, meaning that almost 15 months would become 10 months. The legislation for that particular distance would also eliminate an additional administrative step for projects in that category. Right now, the Canada Energy Regulator’s commission passes on their assessment findings to the Governor in Council for a final say, requiring another 90 days for the Governor in Council to make a decision. These amendments propose that the CER’s commission itself would be able to make the final determination, eliminating that further three-month delay. Only projects involving new rights-of-way of more than 300 kilometres would continue to require a Governor in Council decision. To help reduce delays, we are proposing to allow the Governor in Council to make an early public interest determination on a project, followed by the commission determining the conditions for the project to proceed. Any conditions required to address potential impacts would still need to be developed and applied. What would change is not the rigour of the review. What would change is how quickly people get clarity about a project’s future. Whether it is a yes or a no, providing a decision sooner would give investors and project proponents greater certainty. Certainty is not just about timelines. It is also about having the right expertise involved from the beginning. Today, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, also called the CNSC, is responsible for regulating nuclear and uranium projects under the Nuclear Safety and Control Act. Larger projects require an integrated review panel under the Impact Assessment Act, as well as a licensing decision under the Nuclear Safety and Control Act. Under the proposed change, the CNSC would lead an impact assessment for all larger uranium and nuclear projects under the Impact Assessment Act within one year, followed by a licensing decision under the Nuclear Safety and Control Act within two years. This approach would provide investors and proponents early confidence that a project will proceed if the impact assessment is positive. Proponents could also choose to align the impact assessment and licensing decisions. These amendments would not only boost investor confidence, but also recognize that the CNSC has decades of technical expertise and experience overseeing these projects throughout their entire life cycle. What would change is that these assessments would be led by a regulator with deep, specialized knowledge of the technology, operation and safety requirements involved. Members have heard the changes that these amendments are proposing, but let me be equally clear about what the amendments would not change. They would not change environmental assessments and oversight. They would not weaken indigenous rights. They would not remove the Crown’s duty to consult indigenous people. In some cases, more time may still be required to understand the impact, fully address concerns, carry out meaningful consultation and respect indigenous rights. Canada should not have to choose between rigorous assessment and timely decisions. We can do both. We can uphold strong environmental standards. We can respect indigenous rights and carry out meaningful consultation. We can also provide the certainty that workers, communities, indigenous partners and investors are asking for.”

In response to a question from Kevin Lamoureux

“We are helping with costs now by cutting fuel taxes. For the long term, we need to sell our oil and gas to more countries. Right now, we sell to only one country, which forces us to sell at a discount.”

“Mr. Speaker, that is a very important question. That is exactly why the government is taking both short- and long-term measures. The short-term measures are all the affordability measures we have introduced. The gas and diesel tax cut is also a short-term measure, a short-term strategy. Regarding the long-term strategy, I would say that opening up our oil and gas exports to other countries will get us a price that is much closer to market value. Right now, we depend on a single customer, so Canadian exports are sold at a discount. That is because we have only one customer, only one country buying our oil.”

In response to a question from Tamara Kronis

“I oppose this motion. It ignores our government's other work to make life more affordable. Our bill temporarily cuts fuel taxes and reviews them in a year. This gives businesses the certainty they need to invest, while we keep watching diesel prices.”

“Mr. Speaker, when we look at this motion in isolation, we lose sight of all the long-term affordability measures the government has introduced since taking office. Of course, as we have always done, we will need to continue monitoring developments with respect to diesel over the coming year. I believe that, at this time, we are providing a reasonable period of predictability. When it comes to investment and predictability, that is precisely what Bill C‑39 intends to provide. Through this measure and its one-year review standard, we are seeking to give industry the certainty it needs to make investments.”

In response to a question from Elizabeth May

“I will think about what the member said. I believe her facts about what goes through the pipeline are correct, and I am happy to talk with her more about it.”

“Mr. Speaker, we will take that into consideration. I believe my colleague’s facts are accurate regarding what flows through the pipeline, and I would be happy to discuss that with her.”

In response to a question from Jean-Yves Duclos

“High diesel prices make life harder, and the cost of living is the biggest concern in my riding. That is why our government's programs to help families, like grocery money, school meals, and cheaper child care, are so important.”

“Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for that great question, which really highlights our government’s ambitions. The price of diesel is indeed a challenge across Canada, but the most important issue remains affordability. Diesel costs are exacerbating unaffordability. In my riding, the number one thing I hear about is affordability. That is why I would say to my colleague that the most important measures are all the affordability measures that our government has put in place, particularly the grocery benefit and all the family supports. Thousands of children in my riding are benefiting from the national school food program. As everyone knows, Quebec led the way on low-cost child care, and that program has been expanded across the country. Our support for child care has had a significant impact.”

In response to a question from Anna Roberts

“We know high diesel prices are hurting farmers. World events are causing this, not just Canada. Other countries face the same high costs and supply problems.”

“Mr. Speaker, of course, we recognize that diesel prices are affecting farmers across the country and around the world. Unfortunately, that is the reality that has been caused by geopolitical developments. I mentioned my trip to Ireland with the European energy ministers from countries where agriculture accounts for as large a share of their gross domestic product as it does in Canada. They, too, must contend not only with costs but also with supply—”

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“I support our bill to keep federal fuel taxes low and I oppose the Conservative motion. Foreign wars are driving up fuel prices, which hurts Canadian families. Our government cut fuel taxes and is helping build major energy projects to keep our supply secure. The Conservatives do not have a real plan.”

“Mr. Speaker, we all know that Canada cannot take energy security for granted. In recent years, global conflicts have caused major disruptions to the world’s energy supply. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the war in Iran have both had a significant impact on international energy markets. Events thousands of kilometres away drive up global fuel prices, which increases costs here in Canada. Gas and diesel are part of everyday life for millions of Canadians. Whether we commute to work, drive kids to school, go shopping, visit family, run businesses or operate farm equipment, transportation is integral to everyday life and essential to the Canadian economy. Rising gas and diesel prices have a direct impact on Canadians and put significant financial pressure on families. Canadians deserve to have a serious debate in the House of Commons on the causes of these rising costs and the solutions that will make a real impact. With their proposal, the Conservatives would have us believe that because Canada has oil sands reserves, all we need to do is stick a pipe in and diesel will come out the other end, and that is how we would solve the problem. Although we do have large reserves of bitumen, it needs to be processed before it can be extracted. It then has to be refined and transported. The situation in eastern Canada is different from the situation in western Canada. All of that means that there is no easy solution. At the end of the day, though, this issue raises two far simpler questions: One, how can we bring down costs for Canadians today? Two, how can we make Canada less vulnerable to future disruptions? I attended a meeting of the European Union’s energy ministers in Ireland. One of the major issues on the table was, of course, diesel supplies. The EU is dealing with high costs, but it is much more concerned about supply. All that to say, the government believes that Canadians need both: a reduction in current costs and greater energy security for the future. A responsible energy strategy requires both immediate action and long-term planning. They go hand in hand, unlike what we are seeing in the Conservatives’ motion. That is exactly the approach that our government is taking. Supporting Canadians at this time of high gas and diesel prices is a priority for our government. That is why we have taken action. To respond to these rising fuel prices, we reduced federal taxes on fuel by 28¢ a litre by suspending the federal tax on diesel and gas. More recently, we introduced a bill to extend that support until January 31, 2027, and then to partially reduce the tax until the end of March. These tax cuts will hep Canadians save at the pump. Of course, this support will not resolve all of the challenges facing global energy markets, since foreign conflicts continue to disrupt supply. However, it will provide real support to Canadians while we are working at the international level to resolve this problem. Last Friday, G7 leaders met to discuss the impact that the high price of diesel was having on their respective countries, including Canada. To address this problem, the G7 leaders agreed to coordinate the release of 100 million barrels of oil and diesel to respond to the pressures affecting global energy markets. Canada’s contribution to this effort involves increasing private sector production and making 23.6 million barrels of Canadian crude oil available to global markets. I would also remind the House that this crude oil needs to be processed into diesel. Canada is also contributing to this effort by producing more diesel and other products at its own refineries. In fact, in April 2026, Canada’s diesel production increased by 16.3% over the previous year, reaching nearly 730,000 barrels per day, the highest level of production ever recorded in our country. It is important to mention that. Furthermore, during the same period, Canadian diesel exports rose by 64.7%. These measures have already paid off. The national price of diesel has fallen by more than four cents per litre since October 2. That said, more needs to be done to bring down the cost of living for Canadians, and our government is currently taking steps to ease this burden. While working to reduce the price of gas and diesel for Canadians, we are implementing various measures to leave more money in the pockets of Canadian families. For a family of four, the Canada groceries and essentials benefit will amount to nearly $1,900. That same family will receive the Canada child benefit, which will provide them with $7,000. Thanks to our personal income tax cut, this family will also save a further $840 this year, plus an additional $800 through Canada’s national school food program. Furthermore, this family could save up to $16,000 a year thanks to our government’s affordable child care program, as well as $730 a year through the Canadian dental care plan. These are all measures that the opposition, led by our Conservative friends, voted against. Affordability is central to our government’s work, and we are always going to strive to help families cope with the cost of living, including by lowering the price of diesel and gas. Along with measures to support Canadians, our government is taking steps to strengthen the energy security of Canada and its allies in order to improve our resilience to global energy supply disruptions. This means ensuring that our fuel transportation and storage infrastructure is up to the task and that our supply chains are reliable and resilient. Achieving this will require a regulatory framework that allows major projects to move forward with greater certainty and efficiency. Canadians have been clear: They want projects to happen faster. Opposition members are calling for the same thing. Investors want more certainty. Workers want to progress from the design phase to construction. That is why our government created the Major Projects Office, to clear the way for these major projects and fast-track decisions, because attracting investment depends not only on what Canada has, but also on its ability to get projects off the ground. Since the creation of the Major Projects Office, more than 15 projects in the energy, natural resources, and infrastructure sectors have benefited from streamlined processes, representing $126 billion in investment in our economy and the creation of more than 60,000 well-paying jobs. The need for that work has only become clearer as the world has changed. Countries around the world are rethinking supply chains. Markets are becoming less predictable. Allies are looking more closely at the resources and infrastructure that underpin their economy, and Canada must do the same. Energy security is essential to keeping energy and everyday living affordable in Canada. Reliable energy supplies can protect Canadians from sudden price shocks and can support businesses. Our energy future must focus on reliability, diversification, infrastructure investment and responsible development of our energy resources. By maintaining a secure and affordable energy system, we can strengthen our economy while improving the financial well-being of all Canadians. That is precisely why the government has made nation-building infrastructure a priority. Just last week, the Government of Canada designated the Pacific link as a project of national interest under the Building Canada Act. The project has the potential to move approximately one million additional barrels per day of Canadian oil to international markets and further diversify Canada’s export opportunities beyond a single customer. That decision reflects a simple reality: Canada needs more options, Canada needs more customers and Canada needs infrastructure capable of connecting our resources with both Canadian and international markets. The question today is not whether Canada should build major energy projects. The answer to that is a clear yes, and more importantly, the government is taking concrete steps to get them built. The Pacific link advanced not because someone announced a target. It advanced because government, industry and partners came together to begin the work of turning an idea into a project. That is how things get built: not through wish lists but through planning, investment, consultation, engineering, construction and execution, which are all things that are lacking in the motion before us today. A major pipeline will strengthen the long-term energy security of both Canada and our allies. On that note, let me add that the Trans Mountain Corporation is advancing optimization projects that would increase TMX capacity by about 360,000 barrels of oil per day. These projects will support Canada’s diversification efforts, increase our resilience and strengthen energy security globally. Energy security, however, also includes a range of energy types and projects. In September 2025, following the successful opening of LNG Canada phase one, our government referred LNG Canada phase two to the Major Projects Office. In September 2025, LNG Canada phase two expanded LNG Canada’s facility to double production from the current 14 million tonnes per year to a total of 28 million tonnes per year. This project will deliver low-carbon-intensity Canadian energy to the global market, helping diversify Canada’s trading partners, particularly in Asia and Europe. Just last week, the private sector proponents of this project announced a final investment decision: Major Projects Office referral, September 2025. Last week, there was a final investment decision, which actually brings $33 billion of investment into our country and strengthens the energy security of Canada and its allies. Thanks to this investment, thousands of jobs will be created as part of this project across the country, supporting our workers and our economy. In November 2025, our government referred the Ksi Lisims LNG project to the Major Projects Office. It is a proposed floating natural gas liquefaction, production, storage and offloading facility with a marine terminal located on the north coast of British Columbia. This project represents a $30-billion investment into Canada, and once built would operate as one of the most low-carbon facilities of this kind in the world. Since then, in May and June 2026, Ksi Lisims signed supply agreements with German purchasers for millions of tonnes per year of LNG supply. One of the purchasers, the Uniper utility, said, “Canada helps diversify Europe’s energy supply and strengthens resilience against future disruptions.” Further, the approval of the natural gas Sunrise expansion project, in partnership with 38 first nations, is also key to our objective of strengthening Canada’s energy security. It will add $3.3 billion to Canada’s economy annually and generate over $700 million in tax revenue, which we use for roads, hospitals and schools in B.C. At peak construction, it will create over 2,500 jobs to support Canadian communities. This approval, which was done in under two years, is part of our work to make Canada a clean and conventional energy superpower. In August of this year, our government announced, alongside the provinces of Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador, the largest clean energy investment in North American history, at nearly $70 billion, to generate 14,000 megawatts of renewable power through the Churchill Falls and Gull Island hydroelectricity projects. The energy generated from these projects will be enough to power all the homes in Montreal, Vancouver and Toronto combined, while supporting 23,000 jobs and contributing $31 billion to Canada’s GDP. These investments are about ensuring Canada is better prepared for future disruption. We are now expanding our approach by streamlining the review of all projects in Canada. Our government made more progress than any other in history by signing one project, one review agreements with provinces to reduce duplication between federal and provincial permitting processes. We are now implementing one project, one review, one year through the building Canada strong act, Bill C-39. This bill, currently before the House of Commons, would strengthen our project review system by providing all required permits, not less, within a single year. This improvement would significantly quicken our permitting system, which has for too long been seen as discouraging investment in Canada. These improvements would be made while maintaining strong environmental standards and a robust consultation process with indigenous people, in full respect of indigenous people’s constitutional rights. Our government will always strive to build partnerships with first nations, Métis and Inuit, which is why one of our first acts in office was to double the indigenous loan guarantee program and support indigenous equity in major projects. Our government is pursuing both tracks at the same time: affordability measures for Canadians today and infrastructure that strengthens Canada’s resilience tomorrow. Now, that is a plan. Our government has been focused on both objectives in the extension of the federal fuel tax relief and by advancing the infrastructure that will strengthen Canada’s energy security over the long term. The challenges facing Canadians are happening now, and that is why the government acted when fuel prices began rising earlier this year. Canadians are asking for results. We all agree on that. They want relief from high costs. They want reliable fuel support. They want confidence that Canada will be better prepared when the next disruption comes, and it will. The government is acting on both fronts. It has delivered fuel tax relief and is working to strengthen domestic supply chains. It is advancing infrastructure that will make Canada more resilient in the years ahead. We can make diesel more affordable. We can make Canada more secure. We can do both without pretending that Canada alone controls the global price of diesel. This is the practical approach Canadians expect.”