Hon. François-Philippe Champagne · TranslatePolitics.ca

Government Orders

Business of Supply

2026-05-26

“I want Bill C-30 to pass so I can claim my party is helping families. I need the Bloc vote. I'm saying nice things about Quebec to get it. I will talk a lot about how hard life is. I want you to support more spending, not just ask questions.”

Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, my colleague's question also gives me the opportunity to speak in the language of Molière, whom we all admire here in the House. The Bloc Québécois members may not have said it yet, but I look at them this morning and I can see it in their smiles and in their hearts. I think they are going to vote for Bill C-30 because they know that Quebeckers need this help. I believe that, as members here in the House, we all need to support Canadians at a time like this. When my colleague goes to his riding, he is aware, just as I am, of the issues surrounding housing affordability, grocery prices, and gas prices. These are important issues, but it is important to note that Bill C-30 will bring this measure into effect. I hope that my colleague will not only ask a question this morning, but also take meaningful action to support lowering costs and lend a helping hand to Canadian families.

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“My party is good. We spent lots of money on many programs. You should praise us to all your voters.”

Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, I am glad to hear that my Conservative colleague realizes the reality in this country. He is right to say that what concerns Canadians is the price of rent, the price of food and the price of gas. I am sure he is going to go back to his constituents soon, and the good news is that he will be able to explain to them that in fact the Government of Canada has already acted to provide more affordable housing, which is the first pillar of affordability. That way, the grocery and essentials benefit is going to make a difference in the lives of 12 million Canadians. He is probably going to talk also about the fact that we have reduced taxes for the first bracket, from 15% to 14%, helping 22 million Canadians. I am sure, because I know him, that he is going to talk also about the fact that we have suspended the fuel excise tax, which is providing meaningful support to Canadians across the country.

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“I want Canadians to know we're doing a lot to help with the cost of living. We've cut some taxes and raised some benefits. I think these targeted measures really help people. We're doing better than a lot of other countries. The opposition should vote for our bills so we can keep spending money to help Canadians.”

Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise and set the record straight. We have heard a lot of things this morning, but I believe that folks listening at home want the facts. They know we are facing the biggest energy crisis in decades, according to the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency. I am therefore very pleased to take part in today's debate on an issue that affects all Canadians. We are well aware that affordability is the number one concern of Canadians. We are talking about the cost of housing, the cost of groceries and, of course, the cost of gas. I also want to say that Canada is not immune to the global situation. In fact, we discussed this very issue with our G7 colleagues when we met last week. Canada is proving itself to be a leader in affordability. Canada has taken targeted measures that will help families and Canadians across the country. I would even go so far as to say that, in international discussions, people often view Canada as a country that has used its fiscal capacity wisely to help families and households in their time of need. The rapidly changing global environment is creating uncertainty for businesses, workers and families. People are saying that there is a fog of uncertainty shrouding the planet right now, and I would say that Canada, in such a context, is in a position to take concrete action to help people and certainly to help businesses, workers and households. Faced with this situation, the government is focusing on what it can control, which is to build a stronger economy to lower the cost of living for Canadians and to build the strongest and most resilient economy in the G7. We are particularly mindful of the pressures caused by rising gas prices in a global environment marked by significant geopolitical tensions. As I said, Canadians fully understand the geopolitical situation facing countries around the world. That is exactly why we acted. There have been a lot of speeches this morning, but what Canadians want to see is action, and that is what our government has been delivering. The International Energy Agency has called this the most severe energy crisis in history. That is the backdrop that we are all facing. It is the largest energy crisis in history. In fact, that is why the measures we have taken in affordable housing, groceries and suspending the federal excise tax on fuel are making a difference in the lives of Canadians. Last month, I joined the Prime Minister here in Ottawa to introduce a temporary suspension of the federal fuel excise tax on gasoline, diesel and aviation fuels. Since April 20 and until Labour Day, we are ensuring Canadians will not have to pay the fuel excise tax at the pumps. For us, this was a priority to help Canadians and businesses manage these global pressures. This is expected to reduce Canadians' bill at the gas station by 10¢ per litre on regular gasoline and 4¢ on diesel. This represents almost $6 when filling a typical 50-litre tank of fuel. That is meaningful support for Canadians and consumers. This measure will also help reduce operating costs for businesses in the food, agriculture, housing, construction and trucking sectors, because we know that, with lower costs and greater financial strength, businesses can hire more workers and confidently build and export more products to global markets. It would also help Canadian families save on their transportation costs as they set out to explore our beautiful country this summer. The suspension is estimated to provide relief of over $2.4 billion in 2026 and 2027. I just want to remind my colleague who was talking about additional revenues that, as I outlined in the spring economic update, two-thirds of the additional revenues that we have received have been used to support Canadian families at a time of need. This is just one of several measures we have put forward to alleviate the pressure of the higher cost of fuel on Canadian households and budgets. I expect that my Conservative colleagues who are here this morning will support Bill C-30 because it is a bill that would actually put in motion what we have just discussed this morning. It is good to ask questions, and it is good to make speeches, but it is even better to vote in favour of a bill that would make a difference in the lives of Canadians. I can see in their eyes and in their smiles that they intend to vote, and we are going to look for that. Their constituents are going to be watching to see if they vote for support that would reduce fuel costs. Right after taking office, the Prime Minister cancelled the federal consumer fuel charge, effective April 1, 2025, in a move that directly helped Canadians save money at the pump. We have taken a suite of measures to reduce the price of fuel across the country. Our government also removed the requirement for provinces and territories to have a consumer-facing carbon price as of that date. These actions helped reduce gas prices in most provinces and territories by about 18¢ per litre in comparison to 2024‑25. Our measures have been targeted and are effective. If we compare the measures that Canada has been taking among the G7, we will see that they are very targeted. They have been very effective, and a number of countries are looking for the leadership of Canada, in terms of the measures that will help Canadians. For many Canadians, the cost of groceries and basic necessities remains a constant concern. We know that, because that is what we are hearing right across the country. That is why we decided to take action. We did not wait; we decided to take action to support families. We are all aware that the pandemic caused a global spike in inflation that drove up the cost of food and essentials. People watching at home understand that Canada is not immune to global pressures such as climate change, tariffs, supply chain disruptions and fuel costs. People understand that Canada is not immune to all this, but we are able to act on what we control. That is exactly what we have done. Food prices have gone up faster than inflation due to shocks caused by global supply chain disruptions, new tariffs, climate-related weather events and, as I already mentioned, geopolitical tensions. In the face of this reality, our government has taken concrete steps to make life more affordable in the short term, while strengthening food security and supporting innovation in the agriculture and agri-food sector. I spoke with our colleagues at the Union des producteurs agricoles, or UPA, to better understand how we can become more resilient, produce more here at home and be less dependent on foreign imports. To support those most affected by rising food prices, in January, our government announced the new Canada groceries and essentials benefit, a very targeted and important benefit that will help over 12 million Canadians. Every member of the House here today has constituents in their ridings who will benefit from this measure because it will help people cover the basics of everyday life. This measure is based on the GST credit. The benefit will provide an additional $11.7 billion in support over six years. That is close to $12 billion that will go into Canadians' pockets. First, we are talking about a one-time payment that will be issued starting on June 5. I am counting on all members of the House to tell their constituents that many people will receive this assistance on June 5. The payment will be 50% of the total annual GST credit amount for 2025‑26 and will provide immediate assistance of $3.1 billion to eligible individuals and families. In addition, the GST credit will be increased by 25% for five years starting in July. There is a one-time payment, but we have also included support for the coming years to help families cope with the cost of groceries. The increase will provide an additional $8.6 billion in support and will also enable approximately 500,000 new individuals and families to benefit from this new program. This is substantial support. Just yesterday, I was talking to people in a grocery store. I was also talking to the managers and telling them that putting money like this directly into people's pockets will help many families cope with the rising food prices we have been seeing. In practical terms, a family of four could receive up to $1,890 this year and about $1,400 a year for the next four years. A single person could receive up to $950 this year and about $700 a year thereafter. These are significant sums for nearly 12 million Canadians. Our government is also delivering major tax cuts to give Canadians a break because we have heard how we can help Canadians. Since July 1, 2025, Canadians have been paying less tax after the government lowered the first marginal personal income tax rate from 15% to 14%. This was the very first thing we did as a government. The very first thing we did was to lower taxes for 22 million Canadians, and this is making a difference. This is responsible. This is a measure that has been helping everyone in this country. Thanks to this change, 22 million Canadians benefit from tax relief of up to $420 per person, saving two-income families up to $840 a year. Our government has also eliminated the GST for first-time homebuyers on new homes up to $1 million and reduced the GST for first-time homebuyers on new homes between $1 million and $1.5 million. In addition, and I think we should all be very proud as members of the House, we made the national school food program permanent. This is something that will be remembered for generations. It is providing school meals for up to 400,000 children each year, saving families with children in school who benefit from it an estimated $800 annually on groceries. Helping our children in making sure they have a good meal to start the day is, I am sure, something every member of the House should feel good about. I am thinking about the member who will have his grandchildren soon. This is a measure that is helping our kids and our grandkids yet to come and that is very well liked by families. However, we do not stop there. There is more good news. We have also introduced the automatic federal benefits, starting with the 2026 tax year. We looked at what was going on in different countries, we looked at best practices, and I would say that automatic federal benefits are one of them. This will ensure that 5.5 million low-income Canadians automatically receive the benefits they qualify for by the 2028 tax year, including the Canada groceries and essentials benefit and the Canada child benefit. We have also moved forward with ambitious pro-competition measures in the telecom and financial sectors to strengthen competition, reduce prices, offer more choice to Canadians and allow Canadians to more easily switch between providers and pay lower bank and service fees. In conclusion, because I am eager to get questions from my colleagues so that I can say even more about what we are doing to support Canadians, our plan is moving Canada's economy from reliance to resilience. Canadians understand that we need to invest in our economy to build the strongest economy in the G7. That is why, in budget 2025, I was pleased to introduce and present generational investments in housing, infrastructure, competitiveness, innovation and our defence. It is a plan that has been applauded by international organizations like the International Monetary Fund, which says Canada has the strongest fiscal position of the G7. In fact, we have the lowest net debt to GDP and one of the lowest deficits in the G7, and we are one of only two countries in the G7 that has a AAA credit rating. The strong fiscal position we have is allowing us to invest in our future but also to support Canadians now, at a time of need. That is why I am so pleased that, also with Bill C-30, we have put a number of measures in the spring economic update that would support Canadians, build our country and make our communities safer. I look forward to hearing from my colleagues. I know they are keen to support Bill C-30 as well. They understand that we need to build Canada strong. They understand that we need to empower Canadians. They understand that we need to build safer communities. We will continue to work with all members of the House to make sure that we build this country strong and that we have the strongest economy in the G7.

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“I'm filling time by listing random things my party has done. We did one small thing to lower gas prices, but I'm going to change the subject. I don't want to answer her real challenge. I'm trying to put the responsibility on her to ask the provinces for something, so I can avoid saying why we didn't do it ourselves.”

Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to be here to listen to the remarks of my colleague. If she wants to talk about affordability, I am sure she knows that the three things that concern Canadians are the price of rent, the price of food and the price of gas. I am sure she will go back to her constituents to say that Canada has taken the lead in helping Canadians with more affordable homes. I am sure she is going to talk to her constituents on June 5, when 12 million Canadians will get the boost they need to cope with the inflation we have seen in the price of food. I am sure she will say that the federal government removed the federal excise tax on gas. The question I have for the member is this: Is she asking the provinces to remove the taxes they have put on fuel across the nation? That is an interesting question. I would like the member to explain to the House what she is asking of the provinces.

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“I want you to vote for more spending in your riding. I'll bring up family to make it hard for you to say no.”

Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to hear from my colleague this morning, but I am a little surprised by his comments. The people in his riding are capable of keeping things in perspective. First, I want to congratulate him on becoming a grandfather. He will be happy to know that we are going to build the strongest economy in the G7 for his grandson or granddaughter. We know people are watching us at home, and I am sure my colleague will record today's proceedings. How will he explain to the people in his riding why he and his party voted against the affordability measures? Is he going to vote against the measure to ensure that, on June 5, people in his riding will receive the Canada groceries and essentials benefit? This is a measure that will help 12 million Canadians, including people in his riding. Can he tell them today on camera whether he will vote in favour of this measure, which will help people in his riding?

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Oral Questions

Taxation

2026-05-25

“I reject your premise. You're wrong. We are good. Only the other side is bad. Look at all we have done! Everything we do is good. How dare you question our virtue. Vote yes on our bill.”

“The man in charge of a big energy agency says this is the biggest energy crisis ever. I want you to know we didn't do nothing. We stopped one gas tax. Vote for our bill to make things a bit cheaper this summer.”

“I want you to think I care about you and that I am doing something to help. Taxes are lower, so it's not our fault.”

Government Orders

Spring Economic Update 2026 Implementation Act

2026-05-25

“I thanked the reporter too. The member should be happy his voice can be heard in committee. I'll answer questions, but we must act for Canadians in time of need.”

“We will make this tax exemption permanent. People are cheering for us. I want the opposition to support our bill. Our bill will do big things for people and industries in Canada.”

“This happened because of the top researchers and talent we attracted and supported here. Not because of anything else.”

“I will not learn from Conservatives about helping auto workers. I always helped auto workers. We always helped auto workers. We help auto workers now. We will help auto workers in the future. We want the bill to go to committee. The world changes and Canadians need help. We should help Canadians when they need help.”

Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, one thing I will not take is lessons from the Conservatives on the work we are doing with respect to the auto sector. If the member goes to her constituents, she will see that, as the former industry minister, I always stood up, and the current government has always stood up, for the auto workers and the auto industry. We will always continue to do so. In fact, we have already put measures in the budget to support our auto workers. We have attracted investments in this country. We are going to support the industry. We are going to support our workers. When it comes time to debate, we are standing here to answer the questions. We are saying the bill should go to committee, because there is one thing Canadians in Oshawa and around the country understand: The world is going through unprecedented changes, and we should act on what we can control. One thing we can control is supporting Canadians with affordability measures when they need them, and that is what we are going to do.

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“I want this member to say he will work on the bill in committee. I will be here to answer questions. But there is an urgent need to act. We need to give Canadians a helping hand. I know he likes to debate. But we need to act now.”

Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, I know that member well. He is a member of Parliament who likes to debate and do his part. He will have the opportunity to do so because this bill will be reviewed in committee. I know that my colleague excels at presenting his point of view in committee. I think that today, he should stand up and say that he is willing to work, that he wants the bill to be referred to committee and that he will do his part. As I have always done as a parliamentarian, I will be here to answer my colleagues' questions, obviously, but there is also an urgent need to act. We see what is happening around the world and we know what we are able to control in terms of affordability. It is time to give Canadians a helping hand.

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“I want to spend more money. The other guys don't like my answer. Too bad. I'll keep repeating it. I want the bill passed today. People demand action. That means spending money. I want to spend money. My bill spends money. I'm going to talk a lot so you can't pin me down. Let's spend money and call it a day.”

Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, I have answered it a number of times. The Conservatives may not like my answer, but that is different. They may want to change the question. What I can say is, yes, we will debate it. Yes, we will be here to answer questions. Yes, we believe in accountability, but we believe in action as well. Canadians demand action from their government. They demand action from Parliament. They demand that we tackle affordability. This is top of mind. I know that the member is supportive of the measure to support seasonal workers. I know he is supportive of the immediate expenses for greenhouses. I know he is supportive of Bill C-30. Let us leave partisanship aside. Let us vote, and let us make sure we act for Canadians.

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“I want the Bloc to vote for my bill. My bill is about affordability. Housing is part of affordability. We will build more houses. That will help people. The Bloc should support the bill to help Quebeckers. Tell your voters this bill will help them. We must pass the bill now to help people.”

Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, we all know that one of the pillars of affordability is, indeed, affordable housing. That is why we announced extraordinary measures to ramp up construction, increase innovation and help people find affordable housing. It is because we are very aware that this is one of the pillars of affordability. Affordability is at the heart of Bill C‑30. I therefore expect my Bloc Québécois colleagues, who have the interests of Quebeckers and all Canadians at heart, to rise and say that, yes, they will support Quebeckers, yes, they will support affordability, yes, they will explain to their constituents why it is so important to act now so we can help them and give them a hand when they are facing unprecedented pressures, and yes, they will support affordability.

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“I want you to say the government understands Canadians' needs. Stop quoting us and do what we want. What Canadians need is for you to vote for our bill that throws money at affordability.”

“See, we're blowing a ton of money on all this stuff. But who's going to build it all? We need young warm bodies! And right now, not next decade. So we're gonna make it happen by throwing more money at training. Ta da!”

“Look, I know you. We go way back. But your riding's seasonal workers will be overjoyed by this bill and I bet even you are too chicken to vote against it. If they don't get our help right now they are toast. When you get back home, you owe it to them to back the team on this one. Unless for some weird reason you don't actually want to help the working stiffs in the Gaspé Peninsula and all over Quebec. I mean, your party will totally vote for it... right?”

Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, I think that seasonal workers will be pleased. They will be surprised to hear what my colleague said. I have a great deal of respect for her, I know her well and she does extraordinary work. However, what I can say is that when we talk about seasonal workers, I think that all of my colleagues here are in favour of the measures we are offering in Bill C-30. Those workers need these measures because if they are not extended, they will expire. I think my colleague will go back to her riding and explain to seasonal workers how important it is to support Bill C-30, which will provide the boost that seasonal workers need in her part of the country, in my part of the country, whether they are in the Gaspé Peninsula or elsewhere in Quebec. I expect that the Bloc Québécois will support Bill C-30. It is an important bill for our seasonal workers.

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“I'm sure you're a good man who listens to your constituents. You've heard from your distilleries. They want you to vote to keep the alcohol tax low. This is something we control. Let's pass this and tell everyone we're supporting Canadians.”

Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, in fact, we are listening to Canadians. I know the member quite well. I am sure he would be happy to report to his constituents that, when he is going to vote, there will be an additional two-year extension of the 2% cap on the annual alcohol excise duty inflation. He will go around and talk about the fact that he has been supporting the government, because this is something that constituents in his riding, the distilleries and those who are in the sector have been asking this government for. I know the member. He is a good man, and he understands that we need to meet the moment. There are a lot of things that happen in the world, but one thing we can do is focus on what we can control. What we can control in this House is passing these measures, supporting affordability and supporting Canadians.

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“I will be answering questions for hours at committee meetings. I want you to know I'm working hard to explain how much we're helping everyone.”

Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the question from my colleague, for whom I have a great deal of respect. The primary responsibility of each and every one of us is, of course, to be a parliamentarian. It is to be a member of Parliament, to sit in this chamber and debate bills. That is what I have always done. Tomorrow, I will even be appearing before a House committee for four hours to answer questions from my colleagues. I will also be in committee next week. I am happy to answer questions in order to be transparent and to explain to Canadians the importance of the measures proposed in the economic statement that was just presented and the budget we tabled. The primary role of each and every one of us is to be a member of Parliament.

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