François-Philippe Champagne

In response to a question from Eric Lefebvre

“Our program helps build affordable housing. I will send the member data showing that average home prices across Canada have gone down.”

“Mr. Chair, my colleague is right that Build Canada Homes is making a difference in the construction of affordable housing. As far as the statistics are concerned, I would be happy to write to him and provide him with the data for Canada as a whole. He will see that I was right when I said that, across Canada, the average price of housing has come down. We are seeing the same trend with residential properties.”

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In response to a question from Eric Lefebvre

“Rents and home prices are dropping across the country, especially in big cities.”

“Mr. Chair, I thank my colleague for raising the issue of housing costs. I should point out that rents have come down across the country. We saw the same trend with residential property prices. They are coming down. In Canada’s big cities at least, we are seeing—”

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In response to a question from Eric Lefebvre

“I know the problems people in rural areas face. High costs affect everyone in Canada, and our government took careful action to help people.”

“Mr. Chair, I want to thank my colleague. I think it is important to be very aware of realities. My colleague comes from a rural region too. As members who work in rural communities more specifically, we are keenly aware of our constituents’ reality. What I can say is that affordability is one of the issues that concerns all Canadians. That is why we acted with diligence and care to help Canadians in their time of need.”

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In response to a question from Eric Lefebvre

“I look forward to our debate tonight. We can talk about where we shop and share good deals. I guess two litres of milk costs $5.50.”

“Mr. Chair, we are going to have fun tonight. I cannot wait. Members can imagine what fun we are going to have. We can tell each other what grocery store we shop at. My colleague can tell me where he gets good deals too. I would guess that two litres of milk costs $5.50.”

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In response to a question from Eric Lefebvre

“I do my own grocery shopping. A pound of butter costs $5.50.”

“Mr. Chair, my colleague is right to say that I do my own grocery shopping. I can tell him that a pound of butter weighing in at 454 grams currently costs exactly $5.50.”

In response to a question from Eric Lefebvre

“Grocery shopping is a great chance for me to meet and talk with the people I represent.”

“Mr. Chair, I think it is a wonderful experience, because grocery shopping is an opportunity for me to meet my constituents and talk to people from one aisle to the next. It is a great opportunity to interact with constituents.”

In response to a question from Eric Lefebvre

“I am doing well and I am in good health. I am ready to keep answering questions.”

“Mr. Chair, I thank my colleague for his concern for my health. I would say that I am not doing too bad, health-wise. I ran three kilometres this morning. I am in fairly good shape for a man who will soon turn 56. I am quite willing to continue. I thank the member for starting slow. He is an honourable man and he said that I have been answering questions for three hours. I know that the Conservatives do not always like my answers, but I—”

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In response to a question from Marianne Dandurand

“Journalists are important for our democracy. That is why our government is helping newsrooms across Canada, including through tax credits.”

“Mr. Chair, I have to congratulate my colleague once again. She has been on top of this issue. We have seen in newsrooms across Quebec and Canada how important journalists are for our democracy and how important it is to support their work. That is why we launched consultations, for example, on the Canadian journalism labour tax credit. That is because we know how vital it is to support newsrooms across the country. On behalf of my colleagues, I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who is doing that work, because they are playing their part. Both government members and opposition members have a part to play in our democratic system, but journalists also play a very important part. Indeed, we announced measures in the spring economic statement to support the work of journalists—”

In response to a question from Marianne Dandurand

“I want to praise the member for Compton—Stanstead for standing up for local furniture and cabinet makers. Because of her work, our government is supporting workers in that industry and asking the trade tribunal to protect them.”

“Mr. Chair, before I answer, I want to commend my colleague from Compton—Stanstead for her extraordinary work. The people of Compton—Stanstead are watching us tonight on television. The Habs are not playing this evening, so I am sure they are all watching what is happening in the House. I want to tell everyone in the region how my colleague has been a strong voice, not only as an MP but also as the chair of the rural caucus. She told me what SMEs in her part of the country are going through. They include SMEs in the furniture industry, and I had a chance to meet with them. I want to thank her because she played a key role in the measures that we are taking as a government. Following my meeting with manufacturers in the furniture and cabinetry sector, we referred their request to the Canadian International Trade Tribunal. We also considered safeguards. We know that this is an important industry in Quebec. I have to say that my colleague has done a great job in this area. This shows that an MP can make a difference. I want to thank her for that. I admire my colleague, who has done a tremendous job defending the interests of furniture and cabinet manufacturers. I listened to them and I heard them. My colleagues will be pleased to hear that we have taken action, because we know they need a helping hand. We have put in place support measures for workers in the industry. We have also taken steps to ensure that the Canadian International Trade Tribunal gives this issue all the attention it deserves. Once again, I want to thank my colleague for her exemplary work on this issue.”

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In response to a question from Jasraj Hallan

“I will say this again. The new wealth fund will be run independently from the government. We will look at the best examples around the world to set it up.”

“Mr. Chair, I have been doing this for hours tonight. I will repeat what I have said. We understand very clearly that governance is key when setting up a sovereign wealth fund, and it is going to be at arm’s length from the Government of Canada. We said that very clearly from the get-go. We are going to be consulting to incorporate best practices that we see around the world.”

In response to a question from Jasraj Hallan

“Experienced people will run this wealth fund. Good leadership is important, and Canada is known around the world for doing it well.”

“Mr. Chair, as I said, they will be very experienced people in governance. We know that governance is a key element when it comes to sovereign wealth funds. I would say the maple leaf is seen around the world as best in class. We know what matters. What matters is that the fund would—”

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In response to a question from Jasraj Hallan

“The new sovereign wealth fund will be run independently from the government.”

“Mr. Chair, we understand very well that governance is essential when it comes to the sovereign wealth fund. We have been saying very clearly, very specifically, that it is going to be at arm’s length from the Government of Canada.”

In response to a question from Jasraj Hallan

“I disagree with the question. We are creating a new way to build wealth so Canadians can invest and share in it. I want the Conservatives to support this.”

“Mr. Chair, I reject the premise of the question. I would say to Canadians who are watching at home that I hope they see what is being talked about here. Canada is creating an instrument to create collective wealth and for Canadians to be able to invest and be part of that creation. I just hope that our Conservative colleagues would show more—”

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In response to a question from Jasraj Hallan

“This fund will invest in major Canadian projects. We want to build up the country faster and bigger than we have in generations. Other countries use similar funds successfully.”

“Mr. Chair, it is a great thing that the fund would be investing in Canadian projects of national interest. We want to build this country. We want to build at a speed and scale that we have not seen in generations. This is our own Canadian model, and I would say it is very consistent with what we see in other sovereign wealth funds around the world.”

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In response to a question from Jasraj Hallan

“Other countries have wealth funds that work well. This fund will create wealth for Canadians, and I do not understand why the member is against it.”

“Mr. Chair, I would invite my colleague to look at a number of sovereign funds. There are different models around the world. Like I said, this is going to be an instrument that is going to create wealth for Canadians. I do not understand why the member would talk down the fact that we are creating collective wealth for Canadians. I hope that my colleague—”

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In response to a question from Jasraj Hallan

“Canada should create a national wealth fund. Other countries have them, and it would build wealth for all Canadians.”

“Mr. Chair, I would like to see my colleague have a bit more ambition for this country. This is about creating an instrument to provide collective wealth for Canadians. If it is good for the Nordic countries, as my colleague said, why would it not be good for Canada? I am asking the question to my colleague. Why would it not be good for Canada to have its own sovereign wealth fund? I think it is a good thing, and it has been—”

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In response to a question from Jasraj Hallan

“The government will provide the starting money for this fund. After that, the fund's own investments will make money that we can reinvest for Canadians.”

“Mr. Chair, it is pretty obvious when we say that it is going to come from the consolidated fund of Canada as seed money, but after that, obviously, the fund will have its own investment and will generate revenues that can be reinvested and create wealth for Canadians.”

In response to a question from Jasraj Hallan

“We will start the fund with federal government money. Other investments and assets will be added to it later.”

“Mr. Chair, as I said, we would have seed investments coming from the consolidated fund of Canada. Then, obviously, there will be other assets contributed and other investments made in the fund.”

In response to a question from Sandra Cobena

“We are creating a national fund to build wealth for Canada. The numbers the member asked for are in the spring economic update.”

“Mr. Chair, like I said, this is an important structure we are going to be creating to create collective wealth in the country. With respect to the numbers that my colleague has been asking for, she will find them in the spring economic update. She will be able to find the numbers for herself. As she said, and as I think we should all celebrate, it is a good thing for Canada to have its own sovereign wealth fund.”

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