Ryan Turnbull
Whitby, Ontario · Liberal · Canada
“Mr. Speaker, before I get started, I will just let you know that I will be sharing my time with the member for Beauport—Limoilou . I am pleased to rise today to debate Bill C-30 , which is an act to implement certain provisions of the spring economic update tabled in Parliament on April 28.”
“This would provide a savings of 10¢ per litre on gasoline and four cents per litre on diesel from April 20, 2026, through to Labour Day. The bill would also extend the suspension of the excise tax to aviation fuel over the same period to help mitigate the very high costs of jet fuel.”
“Mr. Speaker, it is good to be here in the very last moments before the House rises for the summer. I know that there are a large number of farms in the member opposite's riding. There are farm succession plans all across this country, and farmers do struggle with succession, so I understand the issue the member is speaking about.”
“Mr. Speaker, I would just say that it has become apparent in the House, through question period and many of the proceedings, that the Conservatives claim that they are about protecting and supporting vulnerable people, but in fact, they just seem to use those people's hardship for political gain.”
“It includes suspending the excise tax on fuel and extending that to aviation fuel. It includes a cap on the excise tax for alcohol, wine, spirits and beer. Craft brewers have been asking for this. Obviously, it would be capped at 2% of the escalator on the excise tax on alcohol.”
“It is a measure I have supported from day one because it offers owners of businesses that are small- to medium-sized, or they could be larger, the opportunity, when they want to sell the business, to protect those businesses and also to hand them down to workers.”
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“The government moved forward to make this change permanent, as announced in budget 2023 and enacted in June 2023. This permanent withdrawal reflects the enduring nature of Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine, with support from Belarus. It is important for the Government of Canada to send a signal to Canadian importers to incentivize sourcing away from these two countries. To reiterate, the general tariff of 35% continues to apply to virtually all imports from Russia and Belarus, including imports of fertilizers. As such, I would like to note there have been no commercial imports of Russian fertilizer since June 2022. That, to me, speaks of the effectiveness of this measure. This means Canadian importers have indeed moved away from Russia to alternative sources of supply.”
“I am proud to say that since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022, Canada has committed nearly $22 billion in multi-faceted assistance for Ukraine, including over $12.4 billion in direct financial support. That is the largest per capita direct financial contribution among G7 countries. This is one of the ways we are supporting Ukraine and its ongoing efforts to defend itself from Russia. Canada took immediate action to ensure countries that violate the rules-based international order cannot economically benefit from it. That is why in March 2022 Canada withdrew on a temporary basis the most favoured nation status for tariff treatment of imports from Russia and Belarus. Since that time, the general tariff of 35% has applied on virtually all imports from these countries.”
“Our government understands Ukraine is once again at the front line of the struggle for democracy and freedom, and at this critical time, Canada continues to be a steadfast ally in Ukraine's relentless pursuit of freedom. I remember getting to meet President Zelenskyy and actually shaking his hand, and I reiterated to him that we would never stand down, that we would always be there to support Ukraine. It is unfortunate; I watched my Conservative colleagues have a change of heart in the House of Commons in the past Parliament. Just last week, our colleague, the Minister of Finance and National Revenue , chaired a virtual meeting, during which G7 finance ministers agreed to bolster coordinated measures to increase pressure on Russia to end its brutal war of aggression against Ukraine.”
“Mr. Speaker, I have had many good discussions with the member for Lanark—Frontenac in other committees we served on together for some time. I would like start by reiterating our government's total support and commitment for Ukraine, a cause that, unfortunately, my Conservative colleagues across the way have chosen not to support. I watched them stand up in the House and vote against the interests of Ukraine on numerous occasions, which shocked and surprised me. Perhaps it should not be a surprise today that they seem to want to reverse course on sanctions and tariffs toward Russia. Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine, supported by Belarus, is a violation of international law and threat to the rules-based international order.”
“This is a really great move to help give a lot more transparency to Parliament, but also to ensure that the stakeholders we rely upon and work in partnership with have more predictability and can invest in ways that help get the objectives and outcomes that Canadians deserve.”
“Mr. Speaker, as I said, a number of measures are in place providing support to tariff-impacted industries. Maybe the member opposite would do me the kind favour of supporting the constituents she mentioned by providing that information to them, all of which is publicly available. I want to talk for a moment about fiscal management and the fact that our government is extremely responsible in managing and stewarding the country's resources. Today, we made an announcement about a budgetary cycle change. We will now move to having fall budgets and spring economic updates.”
“To me, it's sustainable.” Again, that is from the previous PBO. Former PBO Yves Giroux said, “I would...personally...wait until we see what's in the budget before making such a statement...[because] we'll have a much better idea...on the evening of Nov. 4”. These are comments from two well-respected former PBOs that obviously conflict with those of the interim PBO, but it just goes to show members that there are many credible experts out there, including the Bank of Canada governor, who thinks that our fiscal plan and new fiscal budgeting framework are ways of stimulating the Canadian economy and creating a virtuous circle between investment and economic growth. That is going to create jobs.”
“Another direct quote from Kevin Page is this: “I think the analysis that we've seen from finance, from the PBO and from the [International Monetary Fund] last year, is that Canada is fiscally sustainable.” Another quote from Kevin Page says, “Well, I think the language from the current Parliamentary Budget Officer, Mr. Jason Jacques, is just wrong, and he should walk that back, quite frankly. He should tell people that our fiscal situation is sustainable.” How about another one from Kevin Page? He said, “I think it's definitely inflamed certain passions around Canada's fiscal situation that I think are not consistent with the numbers.” Another one from the former PBO is, “We're a AAA country, so like, where do you see ‘shocking’? It's not shocking to see a deficit go up, because the economy is slowing and we have NATO commitments.”
“We heard just recently that our Minister of International Trade secured a deal with Indonesia, which has an economy of a very significant size, almost double the size, I believe, of Canada's, with significant market access for many of our businesses. Again, that is just an example of one thing that our government has done to help. The member opposite mentioned the PBO's comments. I thought maybe it would be good to review a few quotes from former PBO officers as of last weekend. Former PBO Kevin Page thinks, “If you put the deficit and debt in perspective, we are not in a bad place with respect to other countries. With respect to our credit rating, we are actually in a pretty good place.” That was a direct quote.”
“It goes on and on, in terms of the supports that we have offered. We are the ones who have been standing up for our industries, all while we stimulate our economy and move forward with nation-building projects that are essential infrastructure to get goods to market. We know exactly what is within our control, which is that the government can invest in and encourage private sector investment in the industries that Canada sees a strategic advantage in. That will create jobs for the future. That will help us get goods to market. Simultaneously, our government is actively pursuing economic co-operation with many different countries around the world.”
“Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the member opposite's question although I disagree with many of the premises of her argument, if it could be called an argument. I heard her talk about the importance of jobs. That is exactly what our government is focused on. We did not ask for the trade war that we are in, which is obviously having a negative impact on our economy, but we have stepped up time and time again to support tariff-affected industries, whether it is steel and aluminum, automotive or lumber. For every single industry that has seen an impact, we have stepped up and offered liquidity support. We have offered a remissions framework. We have offered a $5-billion fund to help SMEs pivot and adapt to the changing economy. We have offered re-skilling programs for any workers who are displaced.”
“Mr. Speaker, the member opposite likes to label everything as taxes and claim that there are hidden taxes. He almost sounds like a conspiracy theorist, but obviously Canadians know the truth, which is that there are no taxes on their food. Food prices are a real challenge; we are not claiming that they are not, but what is hard to accept is that the member opposite votes against every affordability measure. He seems to forget how household budgets of fixed-income families actually work. If they save money on child care, save money on taxes, save money at the pump and save money on dental checkups for their kids, they have more money to spend on groceries. That is common sense. It is funny that common sense is not so common in the Conservative Party today. It is great to be here tonight and correct the record.”
“Yes, we know it is hard, but that is exactly why are putting in place measures that will help them. These are just a few measures. Obviously, this measure will continue to spur on more construction of new homes across Canada, which is key. We have also obviously eliminated the consumer carbon price, a price that members opposite said, for over two years in the House, was responsible for food inflation. I do not know how they explain food inflation continuing to rise, when they said forever that that was the only cause of it.”
“Math is math, and I know that opposition member has a hard time with it sometimes, but two-income families will save $840 per year. That is not insignificant. I know members opposite balk at that and say it is only this amount per month, but families that are truly struggling actually need that $840 back in their pockets. We are also cutting GST for first-time homebuyers on homes under $1 million. We know, from committee testimony this week, that 97% of new homes are under $1 million. That is $50,000 back in the pockets of first-time homebuyers that they do not have to spend to purchase their first homes. That enables families in my riding of Whitby, and families all across the country, that want to get into the housing market to make it that much easier.”
“That is exactly why we are doing the things we have been doing. Rents have gone up. House prices have gone up. An entire generation of young Canadians has been questioning for some time how they can afford a place to live today and whether they will be able to afford a home of their own in the future. That is exactly why our government is taking immediate action to address this crisis. Key to the plan that we have put forward is bringing down costs so Canadians can keep more of their hard-earned paycheques and can spend them on what matters most to them. We believe that the economy is only truly strong when it serves everyone, but we know that many Canadians are struggling to get ahead. That is why we have delivered a middle-class tax cut for 22 million Canadians.”
“Our government firmly believes that the measures we are taking will build the strongest economy in the G7 and bring down the cost of living. We heard that from the Governor of the Bank of Canada last week, who said that the government is on the right track and that we will boost productivity and real wages. The investments we are making to make everything more affordable are the only way. Since we were elected in 2025, we have been focusing on delivering a plan to address the cost of living challenges that have eroded Canadians' quality of life. That means change that will put more money in the pockets of Canadians and change that builds a more affordable Canada. The government is well aware of the affordability challenges, and our hearts go out to people who are challenged and are struggling to make ends meet at the end of every month.”
“Mr. Speaker, obviously I have a difference of opinion with the member opposite. I know that food bank usage is something that has increased, but I also know that the members opposite have a horrible track record when it comes to actually standing up to support Canadians. They voted against feeding 400,000 hungry children with the national school food program, an investment of $1 billion over five years to feed kids across the country, and I do not understand how Conservative members can stand up in the House to complain about food bank usage and then simultaneously, as those words come out of their mouths, on the same day get up to vote against feeding 400,000 hungry kids. It just does not make any sense.”
“Mr. Speaker, Canadians know there is no tax on food, but all the food security experts in the country have been saying for generations that the answer to food insecurity is income security. That means jobs, but when the government announced the first round of major nation-building projects in the country, worth tens of thousands of well-paying jobs, the Conservative leader called those jobs “pathetic”. He called major nation-building projects worth tens of thousands of jobs for Canadians “pathetic”. Members do not want to know what I think is pathetic.”
“Mr. Speaker, let me be clear from the top: There is no tax on food. Conservatives have obviously forgotten how fixed-income household budgets work. When families save money on their taxes, on gas at the pump, on child care, on school lunches and on dental checkups, they have more money to spend on groceries. All of these savings are Liberal Party and government initiatives, and all of them have been unanimously opposed by the Conservatives. Why is it that every time Conservatives have a chance to stand up for Canadians, they get weak in the knees?”
“Mr. Speaker, we know that Canada has the lowest effective tariff rate of any country in the world. We have a great, AAA credit rating and the lowest net debt-to-GDP ratio. We cannot help it that the opposition and the opposition leader have no vision for the future of the Canadian economy. It is clear that Canadians understand who does have a vision for the Canadian economy. That is why they voted for this party to run the government. We have cut taxes and moved forward on the first round of major nation-building projects. What did the Conservatives say when we launched major projects worth—”
“Mr. Speaker, I know that the Conservative leader must be a little insecure about the size of his economic credentials, or lack thereof. I recognize that he will not listen to a former Bank of Canada governor, but maybe he will try listening to the current one. Last week, the Governor of the Bank of Canada said that our government's plan to diversify trade and invest in large-scale infrastructure is going to help encourage businesses to take risks and would help boost productivity and growth. He said that productivity gains and the higher real incomes that come with them are “the only way to make everything more affordable”.”
“Mr. Speaker, all the experts will tell us that the answer to food insecurity is income security. First and foremost, what does that mean? It means good jobs for Canadians, but it also means a stronger social safety net to help support people in their times of need. Both of them require a strong economy in Canada. That is why our government is focused on making generational investments in housing, defence and infrastructure so we can build the strongest economy in the G7. That is how we will ensure that families can feed themselves for generations to come.”
“The Whitby job fair exemplifies our commitment to supporting Canadian workers and industries by helping them expand the opportunities they need to step boldly into the future. That is how we build Canada strong.”
“Mr. Speaker, this past weekend, I was honoured to partner with the Whitby Chamber of Commerce in hosting our second annual Whitby job fair. More than 1,000 job seekers connected with 33 local employers, opening doors and building brighter futures in our community. I thank the Whitby Chamber of Commerce, Karey Anne Large and Gizem Uysal for their help in making this event a success. It was a pleasure to engage with employers such as the Canadian Armed Forces and the Canada Border Services Agency, which offer fulfilling careers in service to all Canadians. Our new government is creating jobs, supporting workers and driving growth with transformative projects, such as Ontario Power Generation's Darlington nuclear project, which will bring 1,600 new jobs to Durham region.”
“Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance have made it abundantly clear that Canada's new government has a renewed focus on fiscal discipline and that budget 2025 will have strong fiscal anchors. Budget 2025, in fact, will refocus government spending on operations while making transformational investments in housing, defence and infrastructure. Those generational investments will get a return for Canadians. That return comes in the form of good-paying jobs for generations to come. That is how we build Canada strong. That is what Canadians voted for.”
“Mr. Speaker, I think Canadians are getting tired of the Conservatives' Chicken Little routine. This week we had the great news that inflation is at 1.9%, which is actually within the Bank of Canada's target range. That is good news for Canadians because the Bank of Canada dropped interest rates this week by a quarter of a per cent. That means more money in the pockets of Canadians. That means Canadians save more on their mortgages this week compared to last. That is the bottom line.”
“Mr. Speaker, unlike the member opposite, we respect the work of the PBO and the independence of the institutions that make our democracy so great in this country. Our government is focused on delivering generational investments in the upcoming federal budget, which the minister announced will be on November 4. This is good news for Canadians. A budget is coming that will ensure Canadians that we have a prosperous future. We are building Canada strong. Opposition members should get on board.”
“The Canada summer jobs program is more than just a program. It is about us believing in our young people and giving them chances to succeed. It is great to see all the youth having such a great summer.”
“Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize the incredible impact of the Canada summer jobs program in my community of Whitby. This summer, I had the privilege of visiting workplaces and hearing directly from youth about how these opportunities have made a real difference in their lives. Their stories were inspiring and filled with moments of growth, confidence and purpose. Thanks to the program, young people in Whitby are stepping into meaningful roles, gaining hands-on experience and discovering their full potential. I want to acknowledge organizations like Girls Inc. of Durham, Melly's Workplace, Arnts landscaping, the Whitby Yacht Club, the Reptilia zoo and Port Whitby Marina, to name a few. These are just a few employers who are opening their doors, nurturing talent and creating inclusive environments where young people can thrive.”
“I would encourage all of us in this place to work together so that we can ensure that these efforts are successful, and that includes all opposition members. I look forward to that member's playing a constructive part in the process.”
“Mr. Speaker, to be clear, the Government of Canada is committed to ensuring that Canadians live in safe communities, free from the poison of toxic drugs. We are also committed to addressing bail reform issues that will help ensure that individuals are not out on bail. The Government of Canada has already introduced laws to strengthen our borders and address illegal drug activity, and it has committed to introducing new legislation very soon to meet the specific commitments that we have made to Canadians, as well as the broader goal of maintaining a just and safe society for all. While crime continues to represent a serious challenge in our society, the government is meeting it head-on and working in lockstep with provinces and territories in this regard.”
“We require action by those responsible for the criminal justice system to effectively implement those laws and to ensure that there are resources in place so that the system is working as intended. That is why I am happy that the government is making significant real investments in addressing these issues through recruiting 1,000 more RCMP officers and 1,000 additional CBSA personnel, including border services officers, intelligence analysts and specialized chemists. There is much more to talk about, but members should have no doubt that our government is focused on cracking down on crime and is addressing some of the bail reform issues we have heard about that lead to repeat offenders.”
“With an investment of $1.3 billion over six years to bolster security at the border and reinforce the immigration system, the plan also targets law reform to strengthen capabilities for immediate deployment of people and equipment. The government also appointed a fentanyl czar to provide national leadership, coordinate federal efforts and strengthen the response to the escalating harms caused by fentanyl and other toxic opioids. The Government of Canada is serious about addressing illegal drugs and organized crime. While we could speak for much longer about the importance of this issue and the efforts the government is making, I will conclude by highlighting that laws on their own will not result in safer communities.”
“It will bolster our response to increasingly sophisticated criminal networks and enhance the integrity and fairness of our immigration system while protecting Canadians' privacy and charter rights. I would encourage all of my colleagues in this place to work together to ensure that we can achieve these goals as quickly as possible. Bill C-2 builds on past investments made by the Government of Canada, notably through December 2024's border plan. The plan focuses on five key pillars: first, detecting and disrupting the illegal fentanyl trade; second, introducing significant new tools for law enforcement; third, enhancing operational coordination; fourth, increasing information sharing; and, fifth, minimizing unnecessary border volumes.”
“The Prime Minister and Minister of Justice have both signalled the government's intention to move quickly on this legislation. Today, we heard the justice minister talk about how that legislation will be forthcoming in short order. I share my colleague's concern, obviously, about the devastating impact that illegal drugs have had on Canadian communities, and my community is no exception. The Government of Canada has already introduced legislation through Bill C-2 , the strong borders act, to ensure that law enforcement has tools to keep our borders secure, combat transnational organized crime, stop the flow of illegal fentanyl and crack down on money laundering.”
“Mr. Speaker, I welcome the opportunity to speak today on the government's efforts to address crime and public safety. The impacts of crime on victims, their families, their friends and their entire community are far-reaching and long-lasting. Canadians deserve communities that are safe. The government is committed to ensuring that the criminal justice system works effectively to keep Canadians safe and to hold offenders accountable. While this Parliament is still relatively young, the Government of Canada is focused, and it is already taking action to address pressing issues facing our communities. During the election, we promised to strengthen the Criminal Code and move aggressively to protect victims by making bail laws stricter for violent and organized crime, including home invasions, car thefts and human trafficking.”
“Mr. Speaker, budget 2025 will be the next step in our plan to catalyze investment and build a new Canadian economy, one that creates higher-paying careers, raises incomes and can withstand future shocks, which are ever increasing with climate change and the many global instabilities we see. We are laser-focused on building the strongest economy in the G7. This fall, we will deliver a comprehensive, well-planned budget that advances those objectives, and we will deliver it with a new approach focused on reining in wasteful operational spending, focusing instead on capital investments in the big things that will drive this country and move us all forward.”
“As we have stated, the budget will be released this fall, and it will lay out a plan for building a new industrial strategy that will transform our economy and help us access foreign markets. In a rapidly shifting global landscape, this is how the government can bring down costs and create greater certainty, security and prosperity for all Canadians.”
“As Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance and National Revenue, I had the privilege over the course of this summer to do countless pre-budget consultations and hear from Canadians right across this country, from Iqaluit to Halifax to Vancouver Island. As part of that process, I heard from workers, industry leaders, experts, stakeholders, civil society organizations, and municipal, provincial and territorial leaders. They provided invaluable input into the budget process. Ahead of the 2025 budget, we will continue to focus on ways to grow the economy sustainably and make life more affordable for Canadians. This includes the need to make substantial investments in priorities such as nation-building infrastructure, defence and housing, and to catalyze private investment to advance our national goals.”
“We are also lowering GST for first-time homebuyers on homes valued between $1 million and $1.5 million. That is real, tangible support for Canadians on affordability in the areas where they really need it. The recent launch of build Canada homes will accelerate the construction of new builds and deeply affordable housing to further bring down housing costs by increasing availability. For everyday Canadians at the pump, we cancelled the consumer carbon price to refocus carbon pricing on large emitters. These are just a few examples of how our government is delivering for Canadians.”
“We are doing it with strength, with purpose, with agility and with positivity. Canadians know that this new government has a mandate for change, which includes cutting taxes for the middle class and bringing down costs to put money back in their pockets. The government has already delivered on a plan to build one Canadian, interconnected, resilient economy that everyone can afford. I remember the major projects list that just came out, which is creating over 10,000 jobs. In the fall, we passed legislation to introduce a middle-class tax cut for Canadians. Some 22 million Canadians from across Canada will save up to $840 a year. That is for dual income families. For first-time homebuyers, the government's GST relief on new homes valued up to $1 million will save them up to $50,000.”
“Mr. Speaker, it is great to be back in the House. I really missed it over the summer. I would like to point out to the members opposite that just last spring, the member who posed the question ran on an election platform whose plan of action for the first 100 days in office did not include tabling a budget. How surprising it is that we have an opposition criticizing us for the things that it does not follow. Thankfully, Canadians do not have to witness that 100-day action plan coming to fruition. That is because Canadians made it very clear they wanted a government that would take bold action to drive economic growth, create good-paying jobs and have all Canadians benefiting from Canada's unique and vast wealth and prosperity. That is exactly what we are doing on this side of the House.”
“Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the 2023-24 departmental results reports for Finance Canada, the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions, the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada and the Office of the Auditor General.”
“Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 32(2), I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the 2024-25 annual report of the Office of the Taxpayers' Ombudsperson, entitled “Clearing the Path”.”
“Mr. Speaker, when we exploit people's hardship and vulnerability for political gain, when we base our political hopes on the failure of the economy and when we dismiss the potential of Canadian innovation to solve the challenges that we face, as Conservatives do every day in this House, we are not just betting against our government; we are betting against Canadians. On this side of the House, we will bet on Canadians every single day. Why? It is because we know they will overcome the greatest challenges we face.”
“Mr. Speaker, Canadian steel and aluminum are going to help build the strongest economy in the G7. While we continue to aim for a negotiated agreement with the United States, we are taking strong action to respond to the illegal and unjustified American tariffs to protect the integrity of our sectors. Yesterday we announced targeted measures, including adjusted countertariffs, new tariff rate quotas and a $10-billion large-enterprise tariff loan facility. These measures will help our steel and aluminum—”
“Mr. Speaker, our government received a strong mandate from the Canadian people to build Canada strong. What have we done? In just four weeks, we have cut taxes for 22 million Canadians, we have helped secure our borders, we are breaking down internal trade barriers, we are fast-tracking major nation-building projects and we have strengthened our ability to defend ourselves. That, to me, is strong leadership for a strong and independent Canada. While Conservatives bash, we will build. We will continue to build with Canadians all across this great country. That is how we will make the best country in the world even better.”
“Mr. Speaker, at a time when Canadians are struggling and when we are fighting a trade war with one of our greatest allies traditionally, we have offered 22 million Canadians an income tax cut that is going to put more money in their pockets. What did the Conservatives do? We are glad that for once they voted for a tax cut, which is fantastic. We know they have a history of complaining in this House about affordability and then voting against every single measure we put forward. At least finally they came to their senses and helped Canadians for once.”
“To his family and loved ones across Whitby and Durham region, I thank them for sharing him with us. Rest in peace, Des, my friend.”
“Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart to honour the life of former Whitby mayor Des Newman, who passed away last week. On behalf of the people of Whitby, I want to pay tribute to a man whose love for his community was evident in everything he did. Des was a builder, not just of roads and rec centres but of relationships, trust and community spirit. He helped bring people together, helped bring the town and the township of Whitby together, laid the foundation for the region of Durham and was instrumental in creating places that we treasure today: Iroquois Park Sports Centre, Lakeridge Health Whitby and the Station Gallery, just to name a few. What I remember most is his warmth. When I was first elected, Des welcomed me like an old friend, generous with his stories, wise in his counsel and always encouraging.”