Stephanie McLean

In response to a question from Juanita Nathan

“Our government supports seniors. We invest $50 million a year in local senior programs, give tax benefits for groceries, and protect seniors from fraud.”

“Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for her hard work and for being a strong and consistent advocate for seniors across Canada. In the more than a year that I have been serving in this position as Secretary of State for Seniors, I have had the privilege of meeting inspiring seniors across this country and I have learned about the challenges and opportunities that come with aging. From the $50 million of investments every year through the new horizons for seniors program to the groceries and essentials tax benefit to delivering Canada’s national anti-fraud strategy, our government is committed to helping seniors live healthy, active and happy lives.”

In response to a question from Tamara Kronis

“Our government gave $5 million to a local food bank in the member's area to help people get healthy food. The member should tell her voters about the good programs we fund instead of just complaining here.”

“Mr. Speaker, I have spent time over the summer and the spring talking to constituents in the member’s riding. What did I hear from them? I heard back from them that we, as a government, invested $5 million in the Loaves & Fishes Community Food Bank in Nanaimo. This is a new food distribution facility on Vancouver Island. It improves year-round access to nutritious food. I wish the member would tell her constituents about the things available in her riding that are being funded and that they can count on, instead of just collecting stories for the House of Commons.”

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In response to a question from Chak Au

“Our government is helping seniors by giving them money for food, essentials, and pensions. We are also building over 500,000 homes a year. The Conservatives would do nothing to help them.”

“Mr. Speaker, seniors across this country know that they can rely on this Liberal government to support them and have their backs. While it is heartbreaking to read about what is happening to some of these seniors, including in Richmond, that party over there would do nothing for them. It would walk away from the problem and say, “Pull yourselves up by your bootstraps.” What we are doing is providing a social safety net, including old age security, the groceries and essentials benefit and the newly announced food security strategy. More than that, we are building over 500,000 homes a year.”

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  Government answer in Question Period

  Signal 33 of 100

  Much of this statement went to praise, blame, greetings, routine procedure or general stories rather than reasons, requests or specific points.

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In response to a question from Andréanne Larouche

“We added the same rules to this seniors grant that every other government grant already has. Groups still have plenty of time to apply, and we will help them do it. We want seniors to get programs that keep them from being lonely.”

“Mr. Speaker, prior to these changes, the new horizons for seniors program was the only grant within the Government of Canada that was not subject to these integrity measures. We are putting this program in line with all other grants and contributions across the Government of Canada. By looking at the clock, I can see that it is June 11. There is lots of time for organizations, and we are there to help them. We will make sure they have what they need to apply for these programs because we want nothing more than to ensure that seniors have access to the important programs that prevent social isolation.”

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In response to a question from Aaron Gunn

“Our government is helping young people. Most of the new jobs are going to them, business investment is up, and experts say Canada's economy will grow faster than other rich countries in 2026 and 2027.”

“Mr. Speaker, young people know that this government is there for them. They know that because they have a majority of the new jobs that are being created. They also know that business investment has increased for the second consecutive quarter in Canada. They know that the IMF projects Canada will be the fastest-growing economy in the G7 in 2026-27. They know that this government has a plan that we are executing that has their backs for a good future. Joe Rogan might be impressed by kettlebells and empty rhetoric, but in the words of the great Shania Twain, “That don’t impress me much”.”

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  Government answer in Question Period

  Signal 42 of 100

  Much of this statement went to praise, blame, greetings, routine procedure or general stories rather than reasons, requests or specific points.

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  Government answer in Question Period

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“The courts often strike down mandatory minimum sentences as unconstitutional. The Conservatives will not support this bill without them. I am asking why they want rules that will only weaken this law and waste court time.”

“Mr. Speaker, we know that 76% of appellate-level challenges to Harper-era mandatory minimum sentences were successful. We also know that the Conservatives are saying that they will not support this bill without the addition of mandatory minimum sentences, but more than 217 challenges to the constitutionality of these since 2021 have been made. When the courts frequently strike down mandatory minimum sentences, why do members think the Conservatives want the government to include clauses that would weaken the legislation, increase the likelihood of it being struck down, and take up precious court time and costs on unconstitutional clauses? What do you think their real reason is for—”

In response to a question from Jeff Kibble

“Canada's economy is doing better than many other countries. Our economy is stable, we are creating jobs, and we are helping Canadians. The Conservatives are just trying to scare people.”

“Mr. Speaker, Canadians deserve facts, not Conservative fear. Labelling the economy without context does not help workers or businesses. The Bank of Canada has, in fact, cautioned against doing that. Economies around the world are facing global uncertainty, but Canada is weathering these global headwinds better than many of our peers. Our economy is stable, jobs are being created and we continue to support Canadians through these headwinds. We will remain focused on affordability, economic growth and supporting jobs, while the Conservatives remain focused on fearmongering.”

In response to a question from Anna Roberts

“The Conservatives do not care about seniors. They vote against old age security and want to stop seniors aged 65 to 67 from getting it.”

“Mr. Speaker, this is very rich coming from the Conservatives, whose plan is to do nothing. Their plan is to absolutely ignore the needs of Canadians, and we see that when they vote against measures such as ensuring that there is old age security for seniors, and when they put forward measures that would ensure that seniors aged 65 to 67 cannot get old age security. When the Conservatives folks talk about seniors, what Canadians should hear is crickets.”

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  Government answer in Question Period

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In response to a question from Chak Au

“Our government supports the people of British Columbia, private property owners, and Indigenous people. We are challenging the court decision. The Conservatives are spreading false information to scare homeowners, but we are protecting them.”

“Mr. Speaker, our government has said time and time again, and has shown through action, that we stand with the people of British Columbia, we stand with private title rights holders and we stand with indigenous people. We are taking the appropriate action, and we are appealing the decision in the courts. It is frightening how the Conservatives are attempting to whip up disinformation and scare private property owners, who need to know the government has their back.”

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  Government answer in Question Period

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  Government answer in Question Period

  Signal 19 of 100

  Much of this statement went to praise, blame, greetings, routine procedure or general stories rather than reasons, requests or specific points.

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In response to a question from Rhonda Kirkland

“We listen to Canadians and understand the global economic challenges they face. We are acting responsibly by protecting seniors from fraud and keeping their social programs strong. We are also giving single seniors nearly $950 for groceries and essentials.”

“Mr. Speaker, we hear no common sense from the other side, and perhaps that is because they do not speak to Canadians. Over here we are hearing from Canadians regularly, and they know that Canada faces a profound global economic uncertainty right now. That is why we are responding with responsible measures, like protecting seniors from fraud and making the social programs that they rely on efficient and resilient to global shocks. For example, the groceries and essentials benefit will give single seniors almost $950 back in their pockets. This is what it means to be fiscally responsible managers, investing in the public.”

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  Government answer in Question Period

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In response to a question from Gérard Deltell

“The Conservatives voted against the budget. That means they voted against money, tax credits, and dental care for seniors.”

“Mr. Speaker, when the Conservatives voted against the budget, they voted against the OAS and the GIS. They also voted against the New Horizons for Seniors program, a tax credit for personal support workers and the dental care program. What are the Conservatives voting for? It is certainly not for seniors.”

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  Government answer in Question Period

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In response to a question from Jean Yip

“I announced over 54 million dollars for more than 2,600 local programs for seniors across Canada. This money will help seniors learn computer skills and join in community events.”

“Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for highlighting the incredible contributions that she makes to her community for seniors. I have seen it first-hand. Just last week, I announced over $54 million in funding for the new horizons for seniors program, which will go to more than 2,600 grassroots programs across the country benefiting seniors. With this investment, organizations like S.E.A.S. Centre in the member’s riding will offer digital literacy workshops and cultural events to promote healthy, active aging. Whether it is building digital skills or organizing community meals, we continue to invest across the country no matter where seniors live.”

In response to a question from Kelly DeRidder

“We are spending money to help Canadians with the cost of food and fuel. The Conservatives are wrong to oppose this.”

“Mr. Speaker, it is very odd hearing the Conservatives talk as if somehow we are not talking about Canadians. We are talking about Canadians here. We are talking about their dollars, and we are talking about where they want them invested. We know, loud and clear, that time and time again we have heard from Canadians that they want us to invest in them, and that means things like the groceries and essentials benefit. That means cutting the fuel excise tax. It sounds like they are saying we are putting money into our personal pockets. We are putting money into the pockets of Canadians, and the Conservatives object to that. We really need to make sure they understand how finances work.”

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  Government answer in Question Period

  Signal 30 of 100

  Much of this statement went to praise, blame, greetings, routine procedure or general stories rather than reasons, requests or specific points.

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