Caroline Desrochers
Trois-Rivières, Quebec · Liberal · Canada
“Mr. Speaker, I do not know where my colleague is getting his information, but I would encourage him to refresh his search skills, because then he would see that we added 88,000 new jobs to the economy, that the cost of rent is starting to drop and that wages are on the rise.”
“Mr. Speaker, this year marks the 250th anniversary of the battle of Trois‑Rivières, a historic milestone that occurred on June 8, 1776, in my beautiful riding. At the time, the American colonies were trying to make Canada and Quebec their fourteenth colony. However, they suffered a crushing defeat at Trois‑Rivières and retreated.”
“Mr. Speaker, I am curious about something. If the Conservatives are so constructive, I would like the member to tell me, of the hundreds of hours the Conservatives spent speaking on this bill in committee, how many minutes, because, yes, we are talking in terms of minutes, were spent discussing the actual subject at hand.”
“[ Translation ] Two hundred and fifty years later, we are commemorating not only this historic event but also the rich heritage of Trois‑Rivières and the work of those who preserve our collective memory. I therefore invite everyone to come visit our region this summer and discover this important chapter in our history.”
“In Ontario, we partnered with the City of Ottawa to build up to 3,000 affordable homes for mixed-income households. To sum up, the number of agreements and projects that are shovel ready far exceeds the time I have to speak.”
“Bill C‑26 includes other measures, among them targeted tax relief, such as the elimination of the 5% GST on new rental housing. Here again, the goal is to reduce upfront costs and move projects forward.”
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“Mr. Speaker, we have a plan on this side of the House to help families and young Canadians buy their first home. Build Canada Homes will increase the supply of housing and help reduce pressure on the market. I have to say that it is ironic to hear the Conservatives talk about this when they voted against the tax credit for first-time home buyers, against the first home savings account, against expanding mortgage eligibility criteria and against all the affordability measures we are implementing to help young Canadians and put money back in their pockets. On our side of the House, we are in problem-solving mode. That side of the House is offering nothing but obstruction.”
“Mr. Speaker, once again, we see members of the opposition resorting to fear tactics over high-speed rail. [ English ] We know very well that high-speed rail is a generational project that will bring a lot of very positive economic benefits to all the regions between Quebec and Peterborough, where it is going to be. [ Translation ] The opposition member is well aware that the laws were changed in 1985 to ensure that consultations are held and that social licence is assured. However, opposition members continue to use fearmongering and obstructionist tactics, as they do every day. If the Conservative member is truly here for his constituents, will he support Bill C‑15 ?”
“How can my colleague, as a Quebecker, stand up and vote against Bill C-15 , which provides care to the most vulnerable Canadians?”
“Mr. Speaker, I have a great deal of respect for my colleague. I also really appreciate his tone, which is much more constructive than that of his colleague. I am extremely pleased to be working with him. He is also my riding neighbour, incidentally, so I understand very well how folks in his riding feel about the train. High-speed rail is a once-in-a-generation project. It is a project that will enable us to generate significant economic benefits, including in his region. I know he knows that. Many people agree. They really want to see this project come to fruition. We must ensure that we have the resources we need to build our economy. As I said earlier, as a Quebecker, I am so proud to come from a province that is truly at the forefront of social programs that have been implemented and replicated across Canada.”
“As a Quebecker, I have always been very proud of my province's forward-thinking policies. I am curious as to why the member does not support the policies we are putting forward, like the Canadian dental care plan and the national school food program, for which—”
“Mr. Speaker, I am surprised to hear the Bloc Québécois member using fear tactics. These are the same tactics used by the Conservative Party. What surprises me even more is the absolutely inappropriate language he used and the context in which he used it. I am not sure whether the member feels that, because there are not many members who speak French in the House right now, he can say things that are clearly inappropriate. Still, I invite him to apologize and withdraw some of his remarks. He is still talking about expropriation. That legislation was passed. We talked about that. He knows full well that the laws governing the high-speed train and the laws on expropriation have changed significantly and are no longer the same as they were in 1969, so this is frankly unbelievable.”
“Mr. Speaker, Build Canada Homes is a program that responds to what Canadians really need. Canadians need us to build housing that fits their needs and their budgets. All the member opposite and his colleagues are saying today is that we need to abolish the tax on all homes. There is no tax anymore. I do not know how the Conservatives think they can govern when all they do is filibuster and say they are going to eliminate all taxes. We on this side have a real plan, a plan that makes sense. It is called the 2025 budget. We hope they will approve it.”
“Mr. Speaker, we know that young Canadians are struggling right now because of the cost of living and the cost of rent. The good news is that Build Canada Homes is already delivering results. We took action in the first 100 days. We have reached major agreements with provinces and municipalities, and there are projects that are currently under review. However, these projects will not move forward unless the opposition supports Bill C-15 on the budget and on Build Canada Homes. We need their co-operation. If they truly want to be there for their constituents, they will stand up and vote with us.”
“Mr. Speaker, again, Canadians are not fools. Canadians know which party supports affordability, which party is there for them. On the Conservative side, there is no plan and no solution, just rhetoric. On our side, we have signed agreements: one with Quebec, another with Nova Scotia, and we have announced one with Nunavut. More are in the works, specifically to accelerate the construction of affordable housing. That is the mission of Build Canada Homes. We will do it with Canadian materials and Canadian workers. We will be there for our industry. We will be there to build more housing. Will the Conservatives really be there for their constituents?”
“Mr. Speaker, again, day in and day out, it is slogans. There is no solution, no plan, just filibustering. Canadians in my colleague's riding expect better. They expect their MP to stand up to protect their interests. On this side of the House, we have a plan. It is called budget 2025, which, by the way, is still stuck in committee. It is a plan to address today's threats and build tomorrow's economy. Above all, it is a plan to support families and workers during difficult times. Once again, will you stand up, support us and put your ego aside?”
“Mr. Speaker, it is ironic to hear the member talk about affordability day after day. The core mission of Build Canada Homes is to accelerate the construction of affordable housing across Canada. We will do that by stimulating sectors that are going through tough times right now, sectors such as steel, wood and aluminum. We will protect and create jobs and, above all, we will provide Canadians with housing that fits their needs and their budgets. Our plan has the support of municipalities, developers and non-profit organizations. The real question is this: Will the Conservatives do the right thing for their constituents and vote for the budget?”
“Madam Speaker, this is exactly what we are doing. We are building Canada strong. We are building more and more housing. We are building at a speed never seen before. Yesterday, we introduced in the House the bill to enact the build Canada homes act. Day after day, the Conservatives are in the House talking about affordability, yet they are blocking everything. I am sure Canadians and Conservative ridings would like to see, going forward, the proper measures we are putting in place to put more food on the table.”
“Madam Speaker, for a party that does not believe in climate change, it does a lot of recycling. We hear it every day here in the House. Our plan to build is working. Yesterday, we introduced a bill to strengthen Build Canada Homes, which will fast-track the construction of housing across Canada. We will do that by stimulating the steel, aluminum and lumber sectors, which are seeing tough times right now, by protecting jobs, and by providing Canadians with housing that meets their needs and budgets. Our plan is supported by municipalities, developers and grassroots organizations. We hope the Conservatives will support it.”
“I am a bit perplexed, because my colleague seems to be saying that, yes, they support the project, but at the same time they are trying to scare people and saying that we are not doing things the right way.”
“Mr. Speaker, it is truly appalling to see a fear campaign being waged and to see this House being used to spread misinformation. My colleague knows full well that the Expropriation Act of 1985 was overhauled to ensure that consultations are included. He also knows that the railway legislation that we introduced in the budget implementation bill goes even further by ensuring consultation, the impact assessment, and consultations with indigenous peoples, as well as providing more clarity on regulatory processes. They are saying that we are out there holding happy hour consultations. That is such a disingenuous way to describe the very serious and very robust process taking place.”
“Mr. Speaker, the people of Trois-Rivières are very excited about this project happening at long last. This project will enable people to get from Trois-Rivières to Quebec City and Montreal much more quickly. It will provide eco-friendly transportation and enable people to get around without cars. Trois‑Rivières has a university and three CEGEPs. This will really bring incredible economic growth to our region. When I talk to people, everything they have to say is positive. They cannot wait for it to get under way. They are very excited to get this project started as soon as possible.”
“Mr. Speaker, as I said in my speech, consultations have already begun. Even though construction is expected to start in four years, consultations have already begun. They were held in Montreal and will continue. The door is already open. The approach is that, even though we do not have all the information yet, we have already begun consultations to understand the different communities along the route, what they expect, what they want and what matters to them. Consultations have also begun. I encourage my colleagues to speak with the farmers in their ridings. I have. I have spoken with representatives of the UPA, the Union des producteurs agricoles. They have begun to be consulted. Discussions are already under way. I encourage you to get informed.”
“Mr. Speaker, I very much like working with him too. I would just like to correct something. The current corridor that Alto and Cadence have put forward is a 10-kilometre-wide corridor, not 100-kilometre. I am coming back to what I said earlier in my speech. People say no, that is not what we want to talk about, we do not want to block the project, but that is exactly what it is. That is what I mean when I talk about political games. They say they do not want to block anything, but in fact they are blocking things. They are blocking things by talking about other things. They are blocking things by talking about something that is so emotional that we cannot say anything against it. So that is really what I mean when I talk about political games.”
“If my colleague is interested in helping his constituents, I strongly encourage him to focus his energy in constructive ways by supporting the measures we propose to make life more affordable, to build more housing, to preserve our social safety net and to build Canada strong, rather than persist in filibustering during parliamentary committees and here in the House of Commons. When I got into politics, my goal was to help people. I really felt that we would be able to work together, hand in hand with the parties, at such a crucial time in Canada's history, a pivotal moment in our lives and in the lives of our businesses and workers, as well as the lives of Quebec families and Canadian families, who live in uncertainty. Let us stop playing political games, work together and move forward.”
“We have worked very closely with Ontario and Quebec to draw inspiration from the expropriation laws in those provinces so that we can be as aligned as possible with the provinces and move forward as quickly as possible with a very productive program. High-speed rail can be built without repeating the mistakes of the past. This is an important project for Quebeckers and for the people of Ontario as well. It is an important project for Canadians. It promises nothing but benefits. All project stakeholders have agreed to consult each other and ensure that the project delivers as many positive benefits as possible.”
“There will be discussions with municipalities and undertakings with potentially affected landowners. There have been many discussions with the Union des producteurs agricoles, round tables on various topics with stakeholders, open houses and an online portal, which has already received more than 26,000 submissions. Let me be clear: The experiences of the residents of Mirabel in 1969 constitute a historic injustice. We acknowledge that it should not have happened. However, the process has changed radically over the past 57 years. It changed radically when the Expropriation Act was amended in 1985. It will change radically once we pass the bill that is currently before Parliament, Bill C‑15 , which includes the railway right of way legislation.”
“This is one of a series of major projects that our new government has promised to build, projects like the port of Contrecoeur and housing and other investments we will be making in the north. Canada is facing ongoing U.S. threats against the steel, wood and aluminum sectors, so it is time to stop playing political games and put the interests of Canadians and Quebeckers first. As a matter of fact, 76% of Quebeckers are in favour of the project. The first stages of the consultation process for Alto are now just starting, and Mirabel is included. Consultations will also be held in the riding of Trois-Rivières and in the riding of my colleague from Berthier—Maskinongé in the coming weeks. These consultations will take place in more than 100 communities along the corridor.”
“(1530) It is important for the regions, it is important for the people of Trois‑Rivières, and I know it is also important for the people of the neighbouring riding of Berthier—Maskinongé. Under our new government's new buy Canadian policy, Alto will use hundreds of thousands of tonnes of Canadian steel, wood and concrete to build the high-speed rail line, along with structures, facilities and electrical infrastructure. In fact, Alto and its partner, Cadence, have begun talks with the Canadian steel industry to better understand what it can provide and how we can help it provide what is needed. Few infrastructure projects in Canadian history have generated this much industrial demand. Attempting to block this is kind of irresponsible. I am speaking to both opposition parties through the Chair.”
“We know that the Bloc Québécois and Conservative members have already voted together against the funding needed to launch this project. Canada's first high-speed rail network is a transformative, generational project that will give Canadians the transportation system they deserve, one worthy of a G7 country. High-speed rail will generate approximately $35 billion a year in economic benefits and create more than 51,000 jobs by increasing productivity and improving mobility between regions. High-speed rail will quickly connect economic hubs, boost tourism, cut travel times in half, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, stimulate the development of affordable housing along the Toronto-Quebec City corridor, and provide jobs for those along the route, including in rural communities. These communities need those jobs and need this economic boost.”
“For his information and, above all, for the benefit of the people of Mirabel and all those around the corridor of this major project between Peterborough and Quebec City, I would like to reiterate some of the principles. Once adopted, if the obstruction stops, the legislation will guarantee consultation through impact assessment, support consultations with indigenous peoples and provide greater clarity on regulatory processes. In short, the project will not go ahead by overriding communities and landowners. I will now speak for a few moments about the high-speed rail project. I know that my Bloc Québécois colleagues have been trying very hard since this morning to say that this is not the subject of the motion, but that is a bit like taking people for fools.”
“When the last of the expropriated acres were returned in 2019, the late minister of transport acknowledged that a big mistake had been made and that it should never have happened. My colleague, the hon. Minister of Transport , reiterated these comments this morning. What I find unacceptable is trying to scare the citizens of Mirabel with statements that my colleague knows full well are not true. I know that my colleague is a diligent and well-informed person, that he has certainly read the budget implementation act, that he has certainly read the high-speed rail network legislation, and that he must be well aware that the Expropriation Act of 1985 has been radically amended to include consultation in the process. He surely knows that the high-speed rail legislation modernizes it and introduces additional measures.”
“When we point out that our proposal is what they asked us for, they say that it is no good and that they are concerned about something else entirely anyway. We see that every day on everything from affordability to Criminal Code reforms to strengthen the justice system, as we saw yesterday. Today's motion by my colleague, the member for Mirabel , is yet another example of that. I find it irresponsible and deplorable for parliamentarians to completely ignore the facts and move a motion suggesting that the current framework is the same as what we had in 1969. Let me be clear: We recognize that what was done 57 years ago should never have happened. We recognize that the people of Mirabel were hit hard and still bear the scars.”
“All 343 members of the House have the privilege of coming here every day to move things forward for all Canadians and to find solutions to the problems they face, regardless of the political stripe of the member who represents them. As a 25-year veteran of the federal public service, I am non-partisan by nature and I get behind good ideas and good solutions, no matter who brings them forward. However, I have to say that my opposition party colleagues' political games and obstruction are starting to try my patience and good will. Here in the House and in committee, we bring concerns to the table. People agree that these concerns are important and that we need to talk about them. Then they say that what we are proposing is no good after all.”
“Mr. Speaker, as everyone knows, I am a new member, and I am extremely proud to represent the riding of Trois-Rivières, which, for the first time in decades, is fortunate to have a woman member representing it. Together, we are going to do some great things. When I told my friends and family that I was considering going into politics, they told me that I would get eaten alive, that I was too conciliatory, too naive, that I only saw the good in people. Guess what? It is true that I approach things with a glass-half-full attitude, and it is true that I sometimes view things through rose-coloured glasses and think that there is always a solution, because at the end of the day, there is one fundamental thing that underpins all the work we do here in the House and that we should all be able to agree on, namely, civic duty.”
“Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague for his leadership and for making sure that the municipalities are engaged. Despite what the opposition says, I think his speech made it very clear that we do not intend to repeat past mistakes. I can confirm that the people in my riding of Trois-Rivières are eagerly looking forward to this high-speed rail project. In addition to the spin-offs for cities where the train will stop, the regions and rural communities can expect greater benefits as well. I would like my colleague to talk to us about that.”
“I would like my colleague to tell me what impact these shenanigans are having on the people in his riding due to the fact that we are unable to pass the budget and they are unable to access these affordability measures.”
“Madam Speaker, day after day, the opposition parties tell us that we are not doing enough on affordability. It seems a bit ironic to me that both Conservative Party and Bloc Québécois members are constantly voting against the measures we are putting in place to make life more affordable for Canadians. The tax cut for 22 million Canadians, the national school food program for children, our investments in affordable housing, the automatic payments that my colleague talked about, and removal of the GST for first-time homebuyers all come to mind. All of these measures are part of the budget implementation act that we are trying to put forward and that members of the opposition are trying to block in a parliamentary committee by playing procedural games.”
“Madam Speaker, I have a lot of respect for my colleague. I know she works hard for her constituents. I am a bit surprised to hear her say that we are not doing anything about affordability when her party keeps blocking measures that the government is putting in place to try and make life more affordable for people. It is a shame that she calls the Canada groceries and essentials benefit a marketing ploy. I think she is forgetting about all the other measures it includes, like investments in the agri-food sector to increase production. I was pleased to hear her say that the Bloc Québécois was going to support this measure. Now, the big question is this: Will the Bloc Québécois support the budget implementation act, which will really make a difference in people's lives?”
“Mr. Speaker, this is exactly what we are doing. We are putting Canada first and building Canada strong. The Premier of Alberta supports this entire memorandum of understanding. The Premier of Saskatchewan supports it. The Premier of Ontario supports it. There is a reason why, and that is that it is a plan to lower emissions, unlock our natural resources and build a stronger, more sustainable and more competitive economy. RBC's Climate Action Institute said that it could position Canada and Alberta as a continental energy superpower thanks to a clear road map, a tight deadline and a low carbon boost. I urge all members of the House to join us in supporting our plan so we can build Canada strong.”
“For our part, we will extend federal investment tax credits to encourage large-scale carbon capture investments, including Pathways and enhanced oil recovery. Pathways will make Alberta oil among the lowest carbon-intensity produced barrels of oil in the world. As for enhanced oil recovery, it is a plus for carbon capture and storage. It generates demand and revenue for captured CO2, and therefore, it helps to scale up and attract carbon capture projects, all while storing the captured CO2 so it is not released into the atmosphere. Canada can be and will be a superpower in both clean and conventional energy.”
“It will help us diversify our exports, reduce the discount on current sales to U.S. markets and increase Canada's independence and prosperity. The memorandum of understanding that we signed with Alberta also advances the construction of Pathways Plus. It will be the largest carbon capture, utilization and storage project in the world. It matters because energy does not only have to be low cost; it also needs to be low carbon. Under the MOU, Alberta will beef up its own technology innovation and emissions reduction program to establish an effective carbon price of $130 per tonne. This is an accomplishment. This will help send a clear signal to industry that emitting carbon is costly, and therefore make carbon capture, utilization and storage more attractive.”
“This is why we passed legislation to fast-track the approvals of nation-building projects, a key to diversifying our economy and fulfilling our potential as an energy superpower. We are a resource-rich country with critical minerals, clean and conventional power and a world-class agri-food industry. Let us be clear: Canada has what the world needs, and we need to secure our place in the new global economy. In November, our government struck a new partnership with the Province of Alberta to lower emissions, unlock our natural resources and build a stronger and more sustainable economy. It will enable a clear and efficient approval process for a new pipeline, built and paid for by the private sector with indigenous peoples' co-ownership and benefits. The pipeline will bring Canadian oil to new Asian markets.”
“Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague for bringing up this issue. The world is changing rapidly. The United States, the world's largest economy and Canada's main economic partner, is fundamentally reshaping all of its trading relationships. To say that it is causing disruption for Canada is an understatement. This is not an economic transition. It is a generational shift, a rupture. Sitting back and thinking about the good old days is not a strategy. We need to transform our economy from one that is reliant on a single trading partner to one that is stronger, more independent and resilient to global shocks. This is why we have removed federal barriers to internal trade so that we can be our own best customer.”
“The federal government is taking action through a wide range of measures, which I mentioned before, to restore affordability, expand housing options and ensure that every Canadian has a place to call home.”
“Mr. Speaker, the government is committed to solving the housing crisis by focusing on affordable housing across the full affordability spectrum. Budget 2025 is making generational investments in housing and infrastructure in order to do so. Build Canada Homes is going to work with partners across the housing ecosystem to drive the development of affordable housing options that will support a mix of income levels. Build Canada Homes is going to grow the supply of affordable and community housing and will work with non-profit housing providers to offer flexible financial tools, including low-interest loans and contributions. These partnerships are central to Build Canada Homes' strategy to grow community housing and to ensure long-term affordability.”
“We will do it using Canadian materials, Canadian workers and Canadian ingenuity, and by working in collaboration with every member of the House.”
“The Government of Canada has provided an additional $1.5 billion in loans to the fund's new construction stream. This brings the total federal investment in the fund to approximately $16 billion. To ensure that the rental market remains fair and accessible, the Government of Canada has also created the blueprint for a renters' bill of rights, which sets out principles for a fair and transparent rental system. We are calling on the provinces and territories to take action to support the blueprint's principles, to improve the rental system and to ensure that renting is a fair and transparent process across Canada. The Government is making historic investments in affordable housing and is working to lower housing costs for Canadians so every family can find a home that fits its needs and its budget. We are committed to doing this.”
“In addition, the $1.5-billion Canada rental protection fund will also be launched under Build Canada Homes to help protect existing affordable housing. This initiative will help the community housing sector acquire at-risk rental apartment buildings to ensure that they remain affordable over the long term. The Canada rental protection fund aligns with Build Canada Homes' broader mandate to grow the supply of affordable and non-market housing. All projects funded via Build Canada Homes will include an affordable component, not only by building new homes but also by preserving those that Canadians already rely on. Build Canada Homes and the Canada rental protection fund will build on the success of programs like the affordable housing fund. As of September 2025, over 54,000 new units have been committed through the affordable housing fund.”
“By leveraging public lands, deploying flexible financial tools and acting as a catalyst for modern methods of construction, Build Canada Homes is driving a more productive and innovative homebuilding sector. The new agency will partner with private sector developers on mixed market housing developments that combine affordable rentals with market units. The approach will help unlock new sources of private capital, create more affordable housing supply and ensure that housing remains financially viable and affordable over the long term. Build Canada Homes will also help fight homelessness by building transitional and supportive housing and will work with provinces, territories, municipalities and indigenous communities to pair these federal investments with necessary wraparound services.”
“Mr. Speaker, I am glad to report that the Government of Canada is taking action to lower housing costs for Canadians across the country. Budget 2025 is making generational investments in housing and infrastructure because we know that housing costs have a significant impact on the cost of living. These strategic investments will build major infrastructure and homes, create lasting prosperity and empower Canadians to get ahead. In September 2025 the Prime Minister and the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure launched Build Canada Homes, with an initial capitalization of $13 billion. Build Canada Homes is Canada's new federal agency with the mandate to scale up the supply of affordable housing across Canada.”
“I especially want to point out that none of this would have been possible without the dedication of the 2,318 volunteers who were central to the games' extraordinary success. I would like to recognize François Parent and Caroline Poulin, who won the outstanding volunteer team award at the most recent sports awards gala. In closing, I wish Blainville every success and challenge the organization to do even better for the benefit of our young athletes across Quebec.”
“Mr. Speaker, today, my colleague and I would like to highlight the exceptional work done by the organizing committee for the 59th Quebec Games, which took place last summer in Trois-Rivières and brought together more than 3,500 young athletes from across Quebec. The committee's goal was to raise $100,000 to donate to Excellence sportive Mauricie, but thanks to the committee's efforts and the private sector's commitment, a total of $350,000 was raised for that organization, which supports talented athletes in their development. The games also generated nearly $29 million in economic spinoffs for the Mauricie region, an achievement that earned the organization the regional award of excellence.”
“Mr. Speaker, I wonder if the member actually read the Parliamentary Budget Officer's report, because the number mentioned was actually 86,000. We are talking about affordable housing. Build Canada Homes is focused on affordable housing. There are all sorts of other incentives that will support construction across the country, but what we are actually talking about here is affordable housing. I would like my colleague to tell us whether he actually read the report.”
“Mr. Speaker, as my colleague very well knows, housing and the cost of living are the main issues of concern for Quebeckers. Our government is putting forward a well-thought-out plan with investments that will double the rate of home construction, including the construction of affordable housing. Also in the plan are investments in infrastructure, particularly health infrastructure, and investments to modernize the construction industry. It also includes a buy Canadian policy to support the steel and lumber industries, and workers in our lumber industry. How can my colleague, in all conscience, vote against a budget that helps Quebeckers by meeting their needs and their expectations?”
“They give of themselves by spending hours in the evenings and on weekends training and drilling so they are ready to deploy when we need them. I thank them for their commitment, their courage and their willingness to serve in our region and for our country. We are proud of them.”