“We will not rush into a bad trade deal with the Americans like the Conservatives would. We will only sign a deal when it is good for our workers, our economy, and our country.”

“Mr. Speaker, I think our colleague on the other side of the House is confusing our government with the weak-kneed approach of the Conservative Party in dealing with the Americans. We know they would have accepted any deal at any time to just get a deal that would not be in the interest of Canadian workers, the Canadian economy or the sovereignty of our country. We are going to do that difficult work that is necessary to protect our economy, and when that deal is available we will accept it.”

“Unfair and illegal American tariffs are hurting Canadian workers and businesses. We fought back with our own tariffs to protect our economy, even though the Conservatives opposed that choice. We will keep protecting our workers while we talk with the Americans to get a good deal.”

“Mr. Speaker, we understand that Canadian businesses and Canadian workers are facing extraordinary pressure because of these unjustified and illegal tariffs, unlike the Conservatives who resisted our government’s strong decision to put in place retaliatory measures to protect sectors of our economy facing these unfair tariffs. Our government has said we will do whatever it takes for as long as it takes to protect Canadian workers but we are also talking to the Americans about getting the right deal for Canada.”

“Our government will do whatever it takes to support Canadian workers and businesses dealing with unfair and illegal American tariffs. We will keep talking with the Americans to get the right deal for Canada.”

“Mr. Speaker, I was Minister of Fisheries and Oceans for two years. I understand what a fish out of water looks like. Mr. Speaker, perhaps if you look to your left, you might have seen one. However, what is important is that all Canadians know, even the Conservatives should acknowledge, that our government will do everything it takes for as long as it takes to support Canadian workers and Canadian businesses facing these unfair and illegal tariffs. Yes, we will talk to the Americans and we will do the hard work necessary to get the right deal for Canada and Canadian workers.”

“We will only take a trade deal that is right for Canada and puts our workers first. We will support steel companies that invest in Canada, but not ones that do not. Stelco has five days left.”

“Mr. Speaker, the deal we will get will be the right deal for Canada, not just any deal. Our first priority has always been the future and well-being of Canadian workers. As for Stelco and all the other steel companies around, we will continue to support and work with companies that believe in Canada and that continue to invest in Canada. As for those that do not, we will not support them. By the way, there are five days left for Stelco.”

“The Conservatives are spreading falsehoods. Our government is actually supporting Canadians. We cut taxes on income, housing, fuel, and business investment, and saved over $60 billion on government operations. Canada has the strongest financial position in the G7, had the highest economic growth in the G7 last quarter, and is seeing more new businesses and foreign investment.”

“Mr. Speaker, we will not take lessons from the Conservatives on political theatre, because that is all they do in the House. We are standing up to support Canadians. Conservatives can promote falsehoods all they want and string as many of them together as they want, but they do not constitute a truth. We have cut taxes on income, housing, fuel and new business investment. We have saved over $60 billion on government operations. We have the strongest fiscal position in the G7 and topped the G7 in the second quarter in terms of GDP growth. We have seen a spike in new business and foreign direct investment, and we have used our fiscal space to help Canadians—”

“We called these by-elections because Conservative MPs stepped down, and those ridings need people to represent them. At the same time, we are still talking with the Americans to get a trade deal that is good for Canada.”

“Mr. Speaker, I understand that our Conservative friends are worried about the by-elections, and with good reason. I think it is important to note that nothing has changed since last week. We obviously called by-elections because these ridings need people to represent them in the House. The reason we are holding these by-elections is because members of the Conservative caucus have stepped down. At the same time, yes, we are having conversations with our American counterparts, and we will continue to work until we have an agreement that is in Canada’s best interests.”

“The Conservatives are worried about by-elections caused by their own members leaving. We want voters to elect strong leaders. Meanwhile, we are working with the United States to end unfair and illegal tariffs. We are also working with the provinces to support Canadian industries.”

“Mr. Speaker, I understand that our Conservative friends are afraid of the by-elections. I have said this before. By the way, it was their members who triggered some of these by-elections by leaving their caucus. We hope that voters in those ridings have an opportunity to elect strong members to this Parliament. At the same time, yes, we are working with our American counterparts. We are trying to get the unjustified and illegal tariffs removed. We are also supporting Canadian industries with our friends in the provincial governments. That is what a responsible government does.”