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MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT

Guillaume Deschênes-Thériault

Liberal Madawaska—Restigouche 129 statements translated

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Deschênes-Thériault defends Bill C-34’s rules for children’s social media use and urges all parties to send it to committee, backs the major-projects bill C-39, the permanent school food program with an $11.3-million New Brunswick agreement, $4.1 billion for official languages and funding for francophone and Acadian culture, often citing northern New Brunswick projects. When he argues, agency often goes unnamed — “More than $1.5 billion has been invested”, “a whole series of mechanisms will be put in place”. He also presses opponents on their voting records.Written by AI from their statements. Updated .

Average grade
A–
86 / 100 over 113 statements
Signal 84 / 100
Relevance 81 / 100
Respect 100 / 100
Clarity 92 / 100
Loses points more than most for Wording that hides who did something, or who will.1.9 times as often as most members.What the tags mean ×1.9 A promise with no date, no measure and no one responsible.1.6 times as often as most members.What the tags mean ×1.6 Averaged over the 113 of 129 statements graded so far.

Statements 129

Government Orders ·

Budget 2025 Implementation Act, No. 2

“This bill spends over half a billion dollars on Canadian arts, culture, and creators. I want the minister to explain why this investment is needed right now and how the cultural community has responded to it.”
Official Hansard

Madam Speaker, we are debating the second implementation bill of the 2025 budget, which includes an investment of more than half a billion dollars in Canadian creators and the cultural economy. This investment demonstrates that arts and culture are a priority for us. We talk about building Canada strong, and arts and culture, along with the entire cultural sector, are a cornerstone of what building Canada strong means to us. I want to ask the minister how the cultural community has responded to this investment and why it is important to make such an investment at this time.

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Private Members' Business ·

Private Members' Business

“I support this bill and the changes made to it. Right now, parents lose their parental leave benefits as soon as a baby dies. This bill lets grieving parents keep getting their benefits and keep their time off work without extra paperwork.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, like my colleagues, I feel privileged to rise to speak to this important bill. This is a compassionate bill that will add more humanity to the employment insurance regime, particularly for grieving parents. As I mentioned, it is an honour to rise in support of the amendments that have been presented to facilitate the passage of Bill C-222, an act to amend the Employment Insurance Act and the Canada Labour Code with regard to the death of a child. First of all, I would like to thank the sponsor of the bill, the hon. member for Burnaby North—Seymour. He deserves immense credit for his work in support of grieving parents. I also want to thank all of my colleagues who helped shape this bill, as well as the witnesses who testified in committee on this very sensitive subject. There is nothing more devastating for parents and a family than the loss of a child. It is, of course, an ordeal that causes deep and lasting pain. According to mental health professionals, parental grief is one of the most intense and persistent forms of grief. The death of a child is a tragedy that affects many Canadian families every year. Data show that, in 2024, approximately 3,100 children under the age of 19 died in Canada. Of those children, 1,661 were infants who died before their first birthday and 1,210 were infants who died within their first month of life. That means that, every year, approximately 1,600 Canadian families experience the unthinkable loss of a child while they are still receiving EI parental benefits. Research shows that returning to work after the death of a child can be difficult and takes time. Dealing with administrative institutions can also add to the emotional burden. This burden can become even heavier when the bereaved parent is no longer eligible for the income support measures available under the EI program. It goes without saying that work and financial considerations are not the priority for these parents while they are going through an extremely difficult time. Having to deal with various administrative procedures and worry about their job security or financial situation adds an unnecessary burden to their emotional distress. Some parents who return to work quickly may experience what is known as presenteeism: They are physically present at work but unable to participate fully due to their emotional and psychological state. No law can alleviate such grief, but our federal system—in particular EI and the protections provided by the Canada Labour Code—can at least ensure that bereaved parents have swift access to the support they need, when they need it most. That is what compassion looks like. At present, EI parental benefits end as soon as the claimant’s child dies. In its current form, Bill C-222 will allow parents who lose a newborn or an adopted child to keep receiving parental benefits after their child’s death. The bill would also amend the Canada Labour Code so that employees who work in the federally regulated private sector and are on parental leave can continue to take that leave even if their child dies during the leave period that was initially granted. For now, however, unless the claimant contacts Service Canada within a week of their child’s death, they begin accumulating a debt to the Canada Revenue Agency. Bereaved parents can also apply for EI sickness benefits, but they are then required to check in with Service Canada every two weeks to confirm that their benefits are still needed. Again, this creates an unnecessary burden at a difficult time. It is easy to see how hard this process can be for parents still grieving the loss of their child. The current process lacks compassion and needs to be changed to ease some of the burden these parents face. The government wants to ensure that the parental leave provisions meet the needs of bereaved parents in a fair, reasonable and compassionate way. That is the spirit in which the amendments to Bill C-222 are being proposed today. These amendments are intended to strengthen the proposed bereavement and EI benefits for parents who are nearing the end of their parental leave. The amendments will help ensure that the bill actually meets parents’ real needs. The proposed changes also make consequential amendments to the leave provisions in the Canada Labour Code to align them with the proposed changes to EI parental benefits for bereaved parents. Today’s topic is an emotional one, but for the purposes of debate, I will also focus on a few technical details related to the proposed amendments to fully understand the scope of what we are discussing today. I want to take a few moments to talk about some of them. The amendments to Bill C‑222 propose that EI parental benefits continue to be paid for a maximum number of weeks after the death of a child, up to 40 weeks for parents who share standard parental benefits and up to 69 weeks for parents who share extended parental benefits. By allowing EI parental benefits to continue to be paid without any additional administrative burden, these amendments would help ensure ongoing support during a time of great emotional distress. For eligible parents who have already used almost all of their weeks of benefits at the time of their child’s death, Bill C-222, as amended, would guarantee every eligible parent up to five additional weeks of benefits in the form of bereavement support. This measure will apply no matter which parental benefit option the claimant chose, whether standard or extended parental benefits. These additional weeks of EI parental benefits would be paid at the same income replacement rate as the option they chose initially. For example, if the claimant chose the extended parental benefits option at 33% of their average weekly insurable earnings, that rate would continue to apply for the remaining weeks and for the additional weeks of bereavement support. Under the proposed amendments, parents must inform the Canada Employment Insurance Commission if they want to add the additional weeks of bereavement support to their benefits. However, given the heavy emotional burden this would place on parents at a time of deep grief, a regulatory authority will be established to set up a simple and compassionate process that grieving parents can use to notify the commission. Bill-222 would also ensure that employees subject to the Canada Labour Code are entitled to the remaining weeks of parental leave that they would have been entitled to had the child not died. This proposed amendment would allow employees in the federally regulated private sector to benefit from protected parental leave while receiving EI parental benefits. Parents could also take advantage of the existing eight-week bereavement leave provided in the event of the death of a child, if they are nearing the end of their parental leave and wish to claim additional weeks of EI benefits. In closing, I want to reiterate that the loss of a child is a profound and tragic event that no Canadian parent should have to experience. These parents deserve our full support, not administrative hurdles, in their darkest moments. Our government is committed to ensuring that families facing this tragic situation get the support they need. There is no doubt that Bill C-222, as amended, would promote a compassionate and flexible approach for parents facing the unthinkable, allowing bereaved parents to remain eligible for parental benefits even after their loss, thereby ensuring continuity, compassion and stability. More importantly, Bill C-222 restores compassion and dignity to families during their darkest hours. It recognizes that no parent should have to navigate confusing red tape or repeatedly prove their loss in order to access the support they are already entitled to. This legislation represents a rare opportunity to achieve three goals at once: reducing unnecessary bureaucracy, improving government efficiency, and showing empathy toward bereaved Canadians. By supporting Bill C-222, Parliament can ensure that no family is punished by the system for having experienced an unimaginable tragedy. It is a small change, but it will have a profound human impact, and it reflects the best of who we are as a country. As other colleagues have already mentioned, we are here to make a tangible difference in the lives of the people we represent, and this bill allows us to improve things for people who are going through an extremely difficult situation. Once again, I would like to reiterate my congratulations and thanks to my colleague from British Columbia for introducing this bill in the House, as well as to all my colleagues who supported it and worked on the amendments in committee. I will conclude by saying that I fully support this bill and the proposed amendments.

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Government Orders ·

Budget 2025 Implementation Act, No. 2

In response to a question from Louis Villeneuve

“We need strong programs for rural Canada to keep the country strong. In my riding, over $700,000 for rural transit helped people travel cheaply for work and school. We also need to keep improving cell phone coverage in rural areas.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, it is a pleasure to work with my colleague in our rural caucus, which is made up of MPs who are committed to the development of our rural regions. For us, it is clear: Building Canada strong means building strong rural regions. It means programs tailored to life in rural areas. I am thinking of the rural transit solutions fund. Last fall, I announced an investment of over $700,000 in my riding to implement a public transit system that truly responds to the needs of rural areas. It has been a tremendous success. This has changed many people’s lives. It makes it easier for them to get to work and school or to travel around the riding at very little cost. Building strong rural regions also involves raising issues that are important to them. I am thinking in particular of cellular connectivity and the bill introduced by our colleague from Compton—Stanstead on spectrum issues to improve cellular connectivity in Canada. There are a whole range of initiatives that my colleague and I, along with other members from rural Canada, are committed to working on to build strong rural regions for a strong Canada.

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In response to a question from Claude DeBellefeuille

“My riding makes great berry wine. Our government recently extended the cap on alcohol taxes to help producers, and I want to keep working with my colleague on this issue.”

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    Relevance 31 of 100

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, my esteemed colleague is welcome to visit Madawaska—Restigouche. There are indeed berry wine producers there. In fact, one of the wines served at the Parliamentary restaurant comes from my riding and is made from berries grown in my riding. Over the past month, we announced, among other things, that we would be extending the cap on alcohol excise duties. Various discussions are ongoing. I would like to thank my colleague for her commitment to this issue. It would certainly be worthwhile for us to continue discussing this matter together.

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In response to a question from Gérard Deltell

“The tariff dispute with the United States is hurting our economy, but our government is taking action. We have signed trade deals that help local farmers sell to new markets. We are also giving money to hard-hit businesses, like steel and lumber companies, so they can stay open and keep working.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, as I said, since day one, we have been focusing on strengthening the Canadian economy. We did not ask for this tariff dispute, but we are not standing idly by. Since the United States is our largest trading partner, this dispute has had a major impact on our economy, our businesses and our workers, but we are working to diversify our economy. We have signed over 20 agreements, and that is producing real results. I would invite my colleague to come talk to potato farmers in my riding who are seeing real economic benefits from these agreements. I am also thinking of the support that we are giving to the hardest-hit businesses, including those in the steel and softwood lumber industries. Once again, I would invite the member to come talk to businesses that have received this support, which has enabled them to maintain their operations. These businesses see the efforts that we are making to boost innovation and enhance their productivity gains through a variety of programs.

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“I support this budget bill because it builds a stronger Canada. It protects our businesses from foreign tariffs, helps companies buy new equipment, and creates new trade deals. It also invests in community safety, rural jobs, and local culture in my riding.”

  • A repeated line

    “When we talk about building Canada strong?”

    Said 3 times by 3 members since May 29.

    Every time it was said
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak to the second budget implementation act. The core of this bill reflects our intention to build Canada strong. I thought I would use the next few minutes to talk a little about what we mean by “building Canada strong”. First of all, we mean building a strong Canadian economy. From day one, we have focused on making the Canadian economy stronger and more resilient. Although we are facing a tariff war that we never asked for, we have to act first and foremost to support the sectors and workers that are most affected. I am thinking of the steel, aluminum, auto and lumber sectors. My riding offers some concrete examples. The first announcement related to the strategic response fund was made in Madawaska—Restigouche and involved a business based in Clair, operating in the steel sector. The funds are intended to support the hardest-hit sectors to help them maintain operations and retool during challenging times. I am also thinking about everything we have done to support the softwood lumber sector, which is particularly important for the economy in my riding. In particular, I am thinking about access to loan guarantees to facilitate quick access to liquidity when times are tough, as well as various measures that help the industry adapt, innovate and transform. In fact, there is a softwood lumber task force, in which New Brunswick is represented, of course. In addition to this immediate work, we are also working hard to support our SMEs, which are the backbone of the Canadian economy. I am thinking in particular about all the programs to support innovation and encourage productivity gains. Through budget 2025, we put in place a suite of measures called investment super-deductions, such as immediate expensing and other forms of accelerated depreciation. These measures send a clear message: The time to invest in Canada is now. In particular, these measures help businesses cover the cost of buying machinery, new technologies and various types of equipment so they can increase productivity and innovate. There is also all the work we are doing to improve and streamline our scientific research and experimental development tax incentive program. In fact, I have visited companies in my riding that are benefiting from this program and are eager to see the results of the improvements we are currently making to it. There is also all the work we need to do to diversify the Canadian economy. Last year, in just 11 months, some 20 agreements were signed with countries around the world. This means new markets are opening up for Canadian businesses. It also means we will attract investment to Canada. This is already yielding meaningful results: a substantial increase in the value of Canadian goods exported to other regions of the world, outside the United States. I can think of a tangible example from my riding. The agreement we signed with Mexico will, among other things, allow potatoes to be exported to the Mexican market both for processing and for consumption. This means that our local potato farmers will gain access to a market of over 130 million people. I have spoken with several potato farmers, and I must say they certainly welcomed the news. In addition to the work we are doing to develop new trade ties around the world, we are also focusing on building a strong domestic market. That is an important pillar of our strategy to make Canada’s economy more resilient. Take, for example, all of the measures that we have put in place to remove the interprovincial trade barriers that fall under federal jurisdiction, or our “buy Canadian” policy, which sends a clear message: The government wants us to be our own best customer. I am also thinking of the various investment policies that stimulate domestic demand. I am thinking of housing, Canada’s defence industrial strategy and infrastructure. We want to get Canadian businesses and workers involved and use Canadian products on these major projects to increase domestic demand and strengthen Canada’s economy. When we talk about building Canada strong, we are also talking about safe communities. Thanks to our ambitious legislative agenda, practical measures have already been introduced in the House. I am thinking of Bill C-14, which would make it harder for offenders to get bail and would provide for tougher sentences for the most dangerous criminals, particularly violent and repeat offenders. There is also Bill C-16, which is about offering better protection for victims of crime, such as victims of intimate partner violence, and protecting children from online predators. In addition to introducing these legislative measures, we are also making significant investments in prevention, because that is key to ensuring safe communities. Here is a very recent and specific example related to the national crime prevention strategy. I had the pleasure of announcing over $560,000 in federal funding to help the Northwest Regional Service Commission implement the Planet Youth Northwest program. Through this program, partners like the regional service commission, municipalities, the public health department, schools and community stakeholders will develop a range of activities to help reduce youth substance use, which is recognized as a factor that can lead to delinquent behaviour. They will also work to strengthen youth mental health and provide positive youth engagement experiences in their community. Planet Youth is based on an Icelandic model. It will be rolled out and adapted to local realities in northwestern New Brunswick. It is also based on the ongoing collection of evidence-based data to ensure that the services and activities put in place truly meet the needs of our young people. As an MP, I can say that it is always a pleasure to announce funding in my region, especially when it supports young people. When we talk about building Canada strong, as I often say, that also means having strong rural communities. Our rural regions are an integral part of our country. It is important that the programs we implement, including the ones targeting innovation, also benefit businesses in rural areas. I am thinking in particular of all the work done by our regional economic development agencies, such as the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, or ACOA, including through the regional economic growth through innovation program. In recent weeks, I was pleased to announce more than $210,000 in federal funding for the Charlo Salmonid Enhancement Centre. This investment will support the drilling of a new artesian well, as well as the acquisition of an industrial fish grader that will help manage the growth of juvenile fish stocks. This type of investment will help solidify the centre’s position within New Brunswick’s aquaculture supply chain. It also contributes to the economic vitality of my region, particularly by helping to preserve good jobs. This centre has been operating in the Restigouche area since 1938, helping to revitalize fish stocks in New Brunswick’s waterways; that is nearly 90 years of activity. As an MP, I feel it is important to give these institutions—which are vital to our economy and our local communities—the means to continue operating in the long term. This investment will ensure the centre’s stability. In the context of climate change, it will also give the centre access to groundwater sources. There was a problem with access to water, and this investment will help resolve it. As well as being a project that contributes to the economy, it is also in line with the new nature strategies, as it will help to better protect our natural ecosystems, particularly through the revitalization of fish stocks. When we talk about building Canada strong, that also means supporting our community organizations, which are making a real difference on the ground. I am thinking in particular of organizations like the Acanthus Gallery in Grand Falls, which recently celebrated its 10th anniversary. I attended an event to mark the occasion and took the opportunity to announce $25,000 in funding. It is not always the largest amounts that make a difference, but these funds help our organizations meet their needs and continue contributing to the vitality of our communities. Over the past decade, the Acanthus Gallery has become a key arts and culture hub in Grand Falls. It is a popular destination for both local residents and visitors. It showcases local artists as well as artists from outside the region who come to exhibit there. Thanks to the grant that was recently announced, pottery classes will now be offered in the Grand Falls area. These are some of the measures we are implementing to strengthen our social fabric and support our community organizations. When I talk about strengthening the socio-cultural vitality of our communities, that also means supporting our festivals. Summer is just around the corner, and I can tell the House that there will be no shortage of things to do in Madawaska—Restigouche. We have volunteers who are deeply committed to the vitality of our communities and are working hard to put together a great summer of programming. I am very pleased that our government is investing to support these initiatives. To give a few examples, I am thinking in particular of the financial support we provide to the Campbellton Salmon Festival, the Saint-Quentin Western Festival, the Grand Falls Potato Festival, the Rendez-Vous des Artistes de Saint-Léonard, and the Sortie branchée en Acadie, which takes place at the Botanical Garden in Saint-Jacques. All these different types of investments send a clear message that the socio-cultural vitality of our communities is very much a priority for us. I appreciate having the opportunity to expand a bit on what we mean when we talk about building Canada strong.

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Government Orders ·

Business of Supply

“Our government has helped bring more French-speaking immigrants to communities outside Quebec. We reached a record 8.9% last year, and our goal is 12% by 2029. I am asking the minister to explain her plan to help us reach that goal.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Chair, I will be sharing my time. I rise this evening to speak to an issue that is particularly close to my heart and to the minister’s: francophone immigration. As we know, immigration has significant economic, social, and demographic impacts on our communities. Immigrants enrich the social fabric of our francophone communities and help meet labour needs. As we know, immigration is the main driver of population growth in Canada. Historically, francophone immigration rates have been very low. It was not until 2019 that francophone immigration outside Quebec exceeded 2%. This has contributed to the accelerated decline in the demographic share of francophones living in minority communities across the country. That is why, in 2003, a strategic framework for francophone immigration was established. The initial goal was to reach a target of 4.4% francophone immigration by 2008. It was also in 2003 that, as part of the first action plan for official languages, initial public funding was announced to help structure the francophone immigration ecosystem. This made it possible to establish the first collaborative structures as well as French-language settlement services across the country. However, in 2006, with the change in government and priorities, francophone immigration took a back seat. We can talk about a decade of stagnation. We had to wait for the Liberals to return to power to review action on francophone immigration, including a significant reinvestment in 2018 through the action plan for official languages 2018‑2023. Then, there was a historic investment of more than $220 million to support francophone immigration in the action plan for official languages 2023-2028. I will get to that in a moment. What is important to know is that the government met its target of 4.4% in 2022 for the first time and then we increased our targets every year. For example, last year, under the minister’s leadership, we reached a record target of 8.9% for francophone immigration. This is important because francophone immigration of 8.9% is enough to put the demographic weight of francophone communities outside Quebec back on track for growth. What is more, the investments that we have made, including the over $220 million announced in 2023, have enabled us to implement targeted international recruitment measures and empower our communities to play a role in recruitment. However, there is more to it than just recruitment. We need to make sure that we have the capacity to welcome and properly integrate those who choose to settle here, whether it be in Acadia, French Ontario, western Canada or the north. We must help our communities. With the funding we have invested in francophone immigration, we are seeking to strengthen the French-speaking pathway. That begins with pre-departure services that are offered even before people arrive in the country and individualized reception services at our airports. When people arrive, they get orientation services, help finding employment, language training and community connection services, which are provided by francophone organizations that understand what life is like in our minority communities and that play a key role in integration. We need to make absolutely sure that our communities have the intake capacity needed to ensure that people stay and that immigrants who choose to settle in our communities have positive social and economic experiences. For example, we have been able to increase the number of welcoming francophone communities across the country. In fact, I am fortunate to have in my riding of Madawaska—Restigouche two of the 24 welcoming francophone communities outside Quebec. These are concrete examples of how our investments are making a real difference in this area. I would like to highlight the minister’s leadership on francophone immigration. When she took office as Nova Scotia’s immigration minister about a decade ago, francophone immigration accounted for 0.5% of admissions through the Nova Scotia nominee program. That meant that one permanent resident out of every 200 was francophone. Less than two years after the minister took office in Nova Scotia, that number had risen to 10%. The number went from one in 200 to one in 10 because she brought in concrete measures to ensure the success of francophone immigration in Nova Scotia. I am now seeing her exercise that leadership at the federal level. As I mentioned, we reached 8.9% in 2025, and we are aiming to continue toward the ambitious goal of 12% by 2029. This involves implementing a range of measures. We have a francophone immigration pilot program. We have put measures in place through express entry, and we are also working with our provincial and territorial partners. My question for the minister tonight is this: What is her plan? What measures will be put in place to enable us to achieve our ambitious goal of 12% francophone immigration by 2029? I know that this is an important issue. Like many of my colleagues, I care deeply about this issue, and having discussed it often with the minister, I know that she cares a lot about it too.

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Statements by Members ·

Acadia

“Acadian leaders are visiting Parliament this week. Our government doubled the permanent funding for National Acadian Day. Also, the Baie-des-Chaleurs region will host the 2029 World Acadian Congress.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, Acadian civil society is here on the Hill this week to discuss issues of importance to Acadia. We Acadians have been present in North America for over 400 years. Although we have faced our share of challenges throughout our history, we remain a strong, resilient, proud and forward-looking people. We are deeply attached to our symbols, such as our national holiday on August 15. In the 2025 budget, we not only doubled funding for National Acadian Day, but we made it permanent. This is a wonderful recognition of our Acadian people by our government. Furthermore, I am very pleased to announce that the Baie-des-Chaleurs region will host the 2029 Congrès mondial acadien, which is already shaping up to be a unifying event with a promising future. Acadians from all corners of the world will gather in my part of the country to celebrate their identity and strengthen the bonds that already unite them.

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Government Orders ·

Business of Supply

“I want to know what my colleague's voters said during her election campaign about our plans to help people with the rising cost of living.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, I would first like to congratulate my colleague on her excellent speech. I am very pleased that there is one more member of our caucus who cares deeply about our Canadian francophonie. I am very pleased to be able to serve with her. During her recent election campaign, what did she hear from her constituents about the importance of the measures that we are putting in place to help people cope with the rising cost of living? She put it very well when she said that we are focusing on what we can control, and that includes putting measures in place to help people. I would like to hear what her constituents told her about this.

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Government Orders ·

Spring Economic Update 2026 Implementation Act

“We need more skilled trades workers to build housing and other big projects. I want the Minister of Finance to explain what we are doing to get more workers into the trades right now.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, since coming to power, we have invested heavily in infrastructure and housing, and we have launched our defence industrial strategy. In order to complete these major projects, we need people to build our country. We need people in skilled trades. I would like the Minister of Finance to talk about the measures we have put in place to substantially increase the number of workers in the skilled trades in Canada and to tell us why now is the time to take these steps.

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Oral Questions ·

Official Languages

“A major conference on science in French is happening next week. What is the government doing to support French-language science and research?”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, for over 100 years, the organization Acfas has been helping to advance and promote research, innovation and science culture in French. Next week, it will hold its annual congress in Trois‑Rivières, with more than 260 lectures showcasing the diversity of science in French. It will be one of the largest multidisciplinary scientific gatherings in the French-speaking world. Can the minister tell us what our government is doing to support the creation and dissemination of scientific information in French?

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Government Orders ·

Business of Supply

In response to a question from Tim Watchorn

“Our $500 million in business support gives real help to small and medium-sized companies in our regions. It helps them modernize, handle new challenges, and protect good local jobs.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, in my speech, I mentioned the importance of concrete examples. When we announce an additional $500 million through the tariff response initiative, for example, what does that mean for small and medium-sized businesses in our regions? It means support for businesses in Les Pays-d’en-Haut. It also means support for businesses like Max Steel in Madawaska—Restigouche to modernize, adapt, retool and deal with the current challenges. In and of itself, I believe that this support is about more than just numbers to be debated in the House. It is about concrete assistance that makes a difference for our businesses, helps create and maintain good jobs in our regions and rural areas, and opens up new opportunities for these businesses to continue to prosper.

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In response to a question from Vincent Ho

“Over the past year, we supported big national projects, like Nova Scotia's offshore wind project, and helped businesses hurt by tariffs. The Conservatives had many chances to vote for measures that help businesses and workers, but they voted against them almost every time.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, I would like to remind my colleague that, over the past year, we have announced a series of measures to support the development of major projects of national interest in Canada. I am thinking in particular of the offshore wind project off the coast of Nova Scotia and a whole range of other major projects. We have also announced a suite of targeted measures to support our businesses and various sectors affected by the tariffs. I would like to point out that, on several occasions, our colleagues in the official opposition have had the opportunity to vote in favour of measures to support our businesses and workers, but that, on almost every occasion, they have opposed them. For our part, we are truly focused on strengthening the Canadian economy and delivering on our promises through major projects of national interest, while standing by our businesses and workers, something that does not seem to be the case for the opposition.

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In response to a question from Gabriel Ste-Marie

“We need a full plan to help businesses hurt by tariffs. We are giving them loans and grants right now. Over the long term, we are investing in infrastructure, buying Canadian goods, and helping small businesses find new markets around the world.”

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, I think that is why it is important to have a comprehensive strategy with short-term actions, including the assistance measures that were recently announced in the form of loans and various types of subsidies to help the businesses most affected by the tariffs. There are also medium- and long-term measures. Strengthening the Canadian market means investments in our infrastructure and the buy Canadian policy that we are currently implementing. It also means diversifying our markets internationally. We are also providing support through various programs to SMEs that want to explore new markets. That includes a range of measures that will have an impact in the short term to help the businesses most affected by the tariffs, but also to help strengthen these businesses in the long term and, ultimately, to strengthen the Canadian economy.

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“The United States has put illegal tariffs on our goods. We are not waiting around. We are helping our steel, aluminum, copper, and lumber industries with funding and new trade deals. We are also buying Canadian materials for government projects and making it easier to trade between provinces.”

  • A repeated line

    “On behalf of the Government of Canada.”

    Said 5 times by 5 members since April 28.

    Every time it was said
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, I will be sharing my time with the member for Mississauga—Lakeshore. Today’s motion concerns measures to support the manufacturing sector in the face of unjustified and illegal tariffs. The United States, the world’s largest economy, is fundamentally reshaping its trade relations with the rest of the world. This rapid transformation is causing significant disruption and major upheaval for Canada, as well as for many other countries, and for our industries, our workers and our communities. Faced with this reality, Canada has demonstrated that it is serious, committed, and ready to take action. We have approached negotiations with the United States with rigour and in good faith. However, let us be clear. While we wait for our American partners to be ready to engage in serious and constructive discussions, we are not sitting idly by. On the contrary, we are taking action. We are focusing on what we can control and on building Canada strong. We have already announced a comprehensive tariff response plan to help Canadian businesses adapt, compete and grow in a new global environment. This includes support to help businesses retool and reinvest, measures to increase domestic demand for Canadian products, and actions to strengthen Canada’s long-term economic resilience by building a stronger domestic market and diversifying trade abroad. We are taking a truly comprehensive approach to strengthen the Canadian economy and make it more resilient. Of course, our government took immediate action to support and strengthen the strategic industries that are at the heart of our prosperity and that are particularly affected by these tariffs. These include steel, aluminum, copper and softwood lumber, critical sectors that help build our country, drive our exports and create thousands of high-quality jobs. Behind these industries are skilled workers, families and entire communities that depend on a sector to live and prosper. That is why we have put in place concrete measures to support workers and businesses affected by the unjustified tariffs, while continuing our efforts to get the tariffs lifted. We recently created a new $1‑billion Business Development Bank of Canada program to provide support and funding for businesses in our steel, aluminum and copper industries to help them address immediate pressures and transform their operations. We are also allocating an additional $500 million to Canada’s regional development agencies, as part of the regional tariff response initiative, to ensure that this support reaches every corner of our country. This will considerably strengthen our existing tariff response, which includes maintaining countertariffs on U.S. steel and aluminum, reducing freight rates for Canadian steel, adjusting tariff quotas to fight dumping, implementing a buy Canadian procurement policy so that new national infrastructure is built with Canadian steel and aluminum, and making diversification tools available to businesses through the $5-billion strategic response fund. I would like to give a specific example of how this support is felt on the ground. Through the regional tariff response initiative, the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency administers $80 million to support small and medium-sized businesses. This funding enables businesses to modernize their operations, strengthen their supply chains and explore new markets. In March, in my riding of Madawaska—Restigouche, I announced the very first investment made through this tariff response initiative in Atlantic Canada. Max Steel, founded in 1987 and located in Clair, in the Madawaska region, is hailed as a regional leader in the design, fabrication, welding, and laser cutting of steel structures. I had the pleasure to announce, on behalf of the Government of Canada, a $750,000 contribution to support this local business. This investment will allow Max Steel to acquire specialized equipment such as a CNC structural steel beam production line and welding robots. This major project will strengthen the value chain for my region’s steel industry while integrating modern technologies that improve efficiency and encourage innovation. As Max Steel’s chief executive officer said when the announcement was made, this support from the Government of Canada comes at a strategic time and will help the company accelerate its modernization, improve its productivity, and strengthen its competitiveness in the face of current business challenges, while also creating and maintaining skilled jobs in New Brunswick, including in the Madawaska region. This initiative is the perfect example of what we want to accomplish: giving our businesses, including in rural areas, the tools they need to succeed in the current context of instability. Building Canada strong also means building regions strong, and this means supporting our local businesses. I want to emphasize that point. Our rural regions are not on the margins; they are an essential pillar of our country and of our economy. As a member of Parliament, I am always pleased to announce investments that support local businesses and support good-quality jobs in my region. In addition to our efforts to support businesses, we are also actively working to strengthen Canada’s economy by diversifying and strengthening our trade partnerships around the world. That is why our government is implementing the most ambitious trade diversification strategy in a generation. Canada has everything the world needs: abundant natural resources, a skilled workforce, and recognized expertise across a range of leading-edge sectors. We must capitalize on these strengths. We are therefore entering into mutually beneficial trade agreements with reliable partners across the globe. In just 11 months, Canada has concluded 20 new economic and security agreements across four continents, and the results are already visible. In 2025, Canadian exports of goods and services to markets other than the United States increased by $33 billion over the previous year. This is just the beginning, because we will continue working to open new markets in order to expand opportunities for our businesses and our workers. I want to give a concrete example of the benefits of our efforts to diversify our economy. In February, our government led a successful trade mission to Mexico, and we will soon be hosting a Mexican economic mission to Canada. These exchanges are not just symbolic. They produce tangible results. Recently, for example, Canada and Mexico agreed on new provisions allowing Canadian potatoes to be exported to the Mexican market for both processing and consumption. The potato industry plays a major role in the Canadian economy and in the economy of my riding of Madawaska—Restigouche. Potatoes are the fifth most important crop in Canada, contributing approximately $2.1 billion in farm cash receipts in 2024. Our agreement with Mexico will give this industry access to a market of over 130 million consumers. From discussions I have had with farmers in Grand Falls, who are very excited about the idea of developing new markets, I know that this news was very well received back home. For our farmers and processors, this agreement represents a concrete opportunity to export their products to Mexico. In addition to our efforts to provide immediate assistance to the businesses that need it most and to diversify our markets abroad, we have been working hard since day one to strengthen our domestic market. In June, we passed Bill C‑5, the One Canadian Economy Act, which removed federal barriers to domestic trade and labour mobility. Since then, the provinces and territories have also worked toward eliminating trade barriers, and we look forward to the provinces’ and territories’ next steps. The buy Canadian policy makes it easier for small and medium-sized businesses to sell their products to the federal government and strengthens our supply chains. We value leading by example and being our own best customer to stimulate domestic demand. We are also making major investments in building our country. That includes historic investments in housing and infrastructure that are part of an overall strategy to increase demand for Canadian products and an important tool to strengthen our economy and support our businesses. In my riding, for example, softwood lumber is a mainstay of our economy. History shows that Canada was literally built by our forests and forestry workers. Today, we want to continue building our country with our softwood lumber, our steel and our aluminum. The willingness to buy Canadian is central to our strategy of becoming our own best customer and boosting domestic demand. In closing, I would like to remind members that the challenges ahead are real, but that our government is determined to take action. Canada has a history of resilience, innovation and determination. By investing in our industries, workers and regions, we are not just responding to present-day challenges; we are building a future where our economy is stronger, more diversified and more independent, a future where Canada continues to stand out on the world stage.

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“Our government has worked hard over the past year to help businesses, trade more, and boost the economy. Does the member agree that his motion matches what we are already doing?”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague for his speech. As I listen to him and read the motion, I see our government’s overall direction and the comprehensive approach we have taken on economic issues, from diversifying our international partnerships and providing immediate relief measures, such as the funds we just announced this week, to strengthening the domestic market and boosting demand. Would my colleague from the Bloc Québécois agree that the spirit of the motion, particularly where it refers to helping businesses, is somewhat in line with the approach our government has been taking over the past year? That is what I gather from listening to him.

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“Our economic plan is strong because it does many things at once. We help businesses that need money right now, sell more goods to other countries, build infrastructure, and encourage people to buy Canadian products. I want to know if the member agrees with this plan.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, I would like to know whether my colleague agrees with me. I would say that one of the strengths of our government’s strategy is that we are truly presenting a comprehensive plan. We are helping businesses that have immediate needs. We are diversifying our markets abroad. We are building a stronger domestic market, particularly through strategic infrastructure investments and our “buy Canadian” policy. I would like to hear my colleague’s thoughts on this strategy. Does he agree with me that one of its strengths is its coherence and the fact that it includes multiple components—both short-term measures for businesses that need help right now and long-term measures to strengthen our economy?

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“We have signed about 20 trade deals in the last 11 months, and our exports to countries other than the United States grew by $33 billion this year. This helps key industries in Canada and Quebec, like aerospace, food, and seafood. I am asking the member to explain how this plan to trade with more countries helps our economy.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, in the member’s introduction, he mentioned the trade diversification strategy that we are putting in place. He made reference to the various trade agreements. We have signed about 20 agreements in the last 11 months, and those trade agreements are making a difference. Already, in 2025, we have increased the value of our non-U.S. exports by $33 billion over 2024. This will have a tangible impact on key sectors of the Canadian and Quebec economies. The aerospace industry, the agri-food sector and the lifting of the tariffs on seafood come to mind. In addition to negotiating a good agreement with the United States, how could this economic diversification strategy be essential to supporting the vitality of economic sectors in Canada and Quebec?

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Government Orders ·

Spring Economic Update 2026 Implementation Act

“I want my colleague to speak about the government's major spending on sports. Why is it important to support sports for young people?”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, in his speech, my colleague mentioned that he had visited schools and spoke about the importance of supporting our youth. I would like him to say a few words about our historic investment in sport and its impact on our young people. Why is it important to support sport, including for the younger generation?

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In response to a question from Philip Earle

“Our budget update shows we reached our military spending goal of 2% of GDP. This will bring new investments across Canada, including in Labrador.”

  • Reply to a debate question

    Relevance 21 of 100

    None of this reply addressed the specific point raised or the topic under debate.

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, the economic update confirms that we have reached the defence spending target of 2% of GDP. This is excellent news, and it translates into investments across the country, including in my colleague’s riding of Labrador.

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