Guillaume Deschênes-Thériault
Madawaska—Restigouche, New Brunswick · Liberal · Canada
“Mr. Speaker, I would like to hear what my colleague has to say about the fact that, through the economic update, we are continuing to implement our action plan for official languages, with $4.1 billion to support the vitality of francophone communities everywhere outside Quebec.”
“Mr. Speaker, after the economic update was released, several unions praised our initiative to develop the team Canada strong initiative to recruit up to 100,000 new skilled workers. We implemented a series of measures to help these people, particularly apprentices, on their journey to certification.”
“Madam Speaker, the Conservative Party used to call itself the party of law and order. Unfortunately, today, the Conservatives no longer have any credibility on this issue. When the time comes to better protect victims, what do the Conservatives do? They vote against it.”
“Today, we are focusing specifically on the proposed Senate amendment to add the noose to the list of symbols of hate. The Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights has heard from numerous witnesses and organizations who have stated that the noose is a recognized symbol of terror and intimidation against Black people and that it should be…”
“This is how we strengthen our shared way of life and the truly Canadian values of respect, equality and dignity. I will use the last few minutes of my time to say that I am disappointed by the excessive partisanship we have seen in the debate on Bill C‑9 .”
“I do not believe this is commensurate with the issues before us, and I find it deplorable. Lastly, beyond the issue of hate symbols, Bill C‑9 is an important step forward in a number of ways.”
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“Mr. Speaker, our two official languages are a fundamental pillar of our Canadian identity. I am pleased to be surrounded by colleagues who care about the vitality of our francophone communities across the country. Preserving our language and culture starts at a very young age and requires quality French-language education. That is why I would like to ask the minister what measures our government is putting in place to support and strengthen minority French-language education in Canada.”
“Although she is no longer with us today, Stéphanie remains a constant source of inspiration, and everything I do in the House is to honour her memory.”
“Mr. Speaker, September 29 was the second anniversary of the death of my wife, Stéphanie Bacher. Stéphanie was incredibly bright and quick-witted. She was committed to a fair and just society. She was a woman of conviction who stood up for what she believed in. She was a passionate advocate for democratic principles, human rights and respect for everyone, regardless of their background, sexual orientation or religion. She firmly believed in the importance of committing to causes that matter, as well as the virtues of civic engagement. She was a proud Montrealer living in Acadia, and she cared deeply about our beautiful French language. I have no doubt that she would have applauded the work I do to support the vitality of Canada's francophonie.”
“Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Safety, for his excellent speech. I am proud of our government, which has proven that it takes public safety seriously with Bill C‑2 , the strong borders act, Bill C‑9 , the combatting hate act, and our upcoming bail reform. I would like to hear my colleague's thoughts on why it is so important, in the current context, to have a strong legislative framework for cybersecurity.”
“Madam Speaker, I firmly believe that words need to be backed up by actions. If members are serious about public safety, why block a bill designed to strengthen our border security? If it truly believes in public safety, I hope that the Conservative opposition will work with us and allow us to move Bill C‑2 on to the committee stage.”
“Canadians want action. They have asked us to make changes to our legal system so that we can tackle these crimes and create safer communities. Our Liberal government has listened to the people. We want to deliver on what has been asked of us.”
“Madam Speaker, I want to clarify that I did not announce the content of any future bills. Rather, I said that a bill consistent with our election commitments would be introduced this fall. One of those commitments was bail reform. Canadians have told us that there is room for improvement in our justice system. Our decision to improve Canada's bail system does not mean that we think judges are not doing their job properly, quite the contrary. That is not at all what we have been hearing. Here is what we are going to do. We are going to make it harder for violent repeat offenders to be released on bail. We are also going to increase the penalties for the most serious violent crimes committed by repeat offenders, including organized crime, home invasion, auto theft and human trafficking. The public expects us to take action on these issues.”
“I hope that my colleagues in the opposition will work with us when this bill is introduced and that we will work together to get it passed.”
“Mr. Speaker, we were clear during the campaign. We are going to take public safety seriously. Our actions speak for themselves. As soon as Parliament came back this fall, we introduced Bill C-2 , the strong borders act. We also introduced Bill C-9 to combat hate crimes. We will soon be introducing an ambitious bill to reform bail in Canada. We are reviewing this bill seriously and thoroughly to ensure that it complies with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Implementing hasty measures to amend the Criminal Code is not acting in the interest of public safety; it is merely a short-term publicity stunt. We are seeking to improve public safety in the long term. We owe it to Canadians to take this seriously.”
“Under our Liberal approach, community safety will also top our list of priorities without sacrificing fairness, basic rights or the effective administration of justice. We believe that we can and must do both: protect the public while respecting our constitutional obligations. That is why Canadians elected us. They elected us to improve public safety, maintain confidence in the justice system and ensure that violent offenders face real, proportionate and fair consequences. Today, I invite all parties to set partisan differences aside and work together to build a robust, compassionate and efficient justice system based on evidence and co-operation, not fear and confrontation. Canadians are watching us. They expect results, and they deserve a government that lives up to those expectations.”
“As a result, they did not improve public safety. On the contrary, they caused longer court delays and spread doubt and frustration in a certain segment of the public. We will not make the same mistakes. We need to stay focused on evidence-based reforms and sustained investments in policing and prevention. The Liberal approach centres on a targeted, responsible approach to reform, consistent with the charter, that runs no risk of being immediately struck down by the courts, as seems possible for Conservative opposition's Bill C-242. We have a responsibility to build a robust, balanced and sustainable legislative framework that complies with our Constitution in every way. That is how we intend to keep Canadians safe, not only in the short term but also, and I want to emphasize this, in the long term.”
“It would be irresponsible to rush ahead with changes to the Criminal Code without properly reviewing them. I wonder if the bill, which is sponsored by the leader of the official opposition , actually underwent a rigorous legal analysis. Did my opposition colleagues truly take the time to verify whether this bill complies with the requirements of the charter? These are important questions. Effective public safety requires more than just slogans. If this bill were to be struck down by the courts, it would only increase public frustration, waste time and resources, and, above all, disappoint Canadians. The Harper government's track record reminds us that an ill-conceived reform can backfire on its own objectives. A number of Criminal Code amendments introduced by the former Conservative government were found to be unconstitutional.”
“(1730) That is why our government is investing in community programs, mental health services and addiction prevention. These efforts complement our legislative measures and strengthen the resilience of our communities. What is more, by collaborating closely with the provinces, territories and local stakeholders, we are ensuring that our measures are tailored to the specific realities of different parts of the country. I would also like to note that, despite our willingness to take action, we must ensure that the proposed measures fully respect the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The motion put forward today by our colleagues in the official opposition does not appear to have benefited from this in-depth reflection. The approach set out in Bill C-242 , introduced by the Conservative Party, raises serious constitutional concerns.”
“They met with provincial and territorial partners, police chiefs, peace officer associations, defence lawyers and Crown prosecutors to hear their concerns, ideas and experiences on the ground. This collaborative approach reflects a core Liberal value. We understand that the only way to strengthen the justice system is by working hand in hand with those on the front lines. These conversations will continue at the upcoming federal-provincial-territorial meeting of ministers of justice and public safety in October, where bail reform and community safety will be on the agenda. We must all recognize that public safety is not just about repressive measures; it is also about prevention and support initiatives that address the root causes of crime.”
“Our government will also soon introduce ambitious and responsible legislation that will aim to strengthen Canada's bail system to make it harder for repeat violent offenders to get bail, increase penalties for the most serious repeat violent crimes, particularly those related to organized crime, break and enters, auto theft and human trafficking, and address court delays so that serious cases are dealt with quickly and victims are not retraumatized by court backlogs. I would also like to highlight the collaborative approach that is key to our government's work. Over the summer, the Minister of Justice and his parliamentary secretary held a series of consultations across the country.”
“This bill introduces a series of targeted reforms to the Criminal Code aimed at ensuring safe access to community spaces, denouncing hate crimes, clarifying the legal meaning of the term “hatred” and criminalizing the wilful incitement of hatred against an identifiable group by displaying certain symbols of terrorism or hatred in public. This bill is designed to protect the safety and dignity of Canadians, while preserving space for lawful protest and charter-protected freedom of expression.”
“It will enable us to advance our new government's priorities: ensuring that Canadians are safe, strengthening our borders, combatting transnational organized crime and protecting the integrity of our immigration system. This bill builds on Canada's border plan, which has $1.3 billion in funding. This is the largest investment in border security in the history of this country. I invite my colleagues in the official opposition to work with us to ensure that this bill moves forward to committee stage. A party that claims to care about public safety should certainly want to strengthen security at our borders. We also introduced Bill C‑9 , which will help us fight hate crimes.”
“Our Liberal platform states that we intend to: fight gun violence and organized crime by cracking down on smuggling at the border and by equipping police with modern investigative tools; strengthen the bail system to keep repeat violent offenders off the streets, while respecting the charter; support victims of crime by improving services and ensuring that the justice system hears their voices; invest in prevention and community safety, including mental health care, addictions treatment and youth programs that address the underlying causes of crime; and protect Canadians from emerging threats, like human trafficking, cybercrime and increasingly sophisticated organized crime networks. These are not just promises, however. Concrete actions are already under way. Bill C‑2 , the strong borders act, was introduced in the House in June.”
“Mr. Speaker, during the last election campaign, Canadians across the country asked us to take concrete measures to build a safer Canada. They elected a new Liberal government, and they had a clear and legitimate expectation: reform our bail system, improve public safety and ensure that our communities are safe. Today, I am speaking to my House of Commons colleagues, but I am also speaking to Canadians, especially those in my riding of Madawaska—Restigouche, and I want to make one thing clear: Our government intends to deliver on this promise. We are determined to take serious, rigorous, responsible action to ensure that every citizen enjoys the safety they deserve. These commitments are deeply rooted in our thoughtful, balanced and evidence-based public safety platform.”
“Mr. Speaker, our new Liberal government was elected on a promise to reform the bail system. We have ambitious measures to protect public safety. On this side of the House, we understand that if we propose a measure, we need to ensure that it is constitutional. Could my colleague explain why, when we propose amendments to the Criminal Code, it is important to ensure that they comply with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms?”
“Madam Speaker, I would like to point out how interesting it is that my colleague mentioned the CBC, our national broadcaster, which provides high-quality information. Food security is a priority for us. That is why we are taking real action. The national school food program comes to mind. If this is such an important issue for my colleague, why did her party vote against this program? I hope the opposition parties will also work with us to implement the various other measures we plan to take on food security, such as our investments in greenhouses, hydroponics and other food crops in Canada.”
“Madam Speaker, I am glad my colleague mentioned Chaleur Bay, which is hosting the Most Beautiful Bays in the World conference this week. I am so excited to attend the conference when I get back to my riding tomorrow. Getting back to the question, we understand the importance of maintaining an affordable cost of living and helping our seniors. That is why, a few years ago, we increased old age security for seniors aged 75 and over. We have also implemented other measures to make life more affordable, such as expanding access to the Canadian dental care plan, a measure that saves people hundreds of dollars a year.”
“We support them, and we are working to build a strong economy so that we can maintain these measures and keep life affordable for the entire population.”
“Madam Speaker, I would like to point out that I do not live in Saint‑François‑de‑Madawaska, but I do represent Saint‑François‑de‑Madawaska in the House; it is known as the chicken capital because of its large poultry industry. To come back to my colleague's question, we were elected with a clear mandate: to make life more affordable for Canadians and to strengthen our economy. These two things go hand in hand, because a strong economy allows us to fund measures to make life more affordable. Unfortunately, these are measures that the Conservatives have often opposed. I am thinking of the votes against the Canada dental care plan, affordable child care, and against the national school food program, which ensures that children have food in their belly in the classroom. For our part, we understand the importance of these measures.”
“By incorporating climate considerations into our economic planning, we drive innovation, open new markets and position Canadian businesses as global leaders. This is how we secure a sustainable future for our children while seizing new economic opportunities. Our government has made courageous and responsible decisions that balance the urgency of making life more affordable against the need to prepare for a sustainable future. We have lowered taxes for the middle class, supported families, strengthened food security, and we are investing in innovation. I am proud of our new government. It understands the importance of a strong economy to make life more affordable and it is guided by the principle that the economy can only be strong if it works for everyone.”
“Thanks to our new government's ambitious housing plan, which will be delivered through “build Canada homes”, housing starts will accelerate across the country, leveraging Canadian technology, Canadian workers and Canadian softwood lumber. Our objective is clear: to build the strongest economy in the G7, to ensure the prosperity of Canadians and to protect our planet. On that note, I would also like to remind my opposition colleagues that fighting climate change is not only a moral imperative, but also an economic imperative. Global demand for low-carbon technologies, sustainable resources and climate-resilient infrastructure is growing rapidly. Canadian businesses are already leading the way on implementing these solutions.”
“This responsible management aims to reduce day-to-day operating expenses, while investing more in the priorities that will build the economy of tomorrow. Budget 2025, which we will present on November 4, embodies this clear vision. Our aim is to transform our economy through ambitious investments, but also through rigorous discipline. This budget will support affordable housing, modern infrastructure, government modernization and public-private partnerships to catalyze significant investments. With this budget, we will address the real concerns of Canadians. For example, this summer, many citizens and municipal officials from across my riding told me about the housing needs in their communities. We have heard that message.”
“As a matter of fact, I represent Saint‑François‑de‑Madawaska in the House; it is known as the chicken capital. Contrary to what the motion suggests, our government takes its fiscal responsibility very seriously. We have been very clear that our new government is focused on fiscal discipline. Over the next three years, we will balance operating expenses while reducing the debt-to-GDP ratio. Canada maintains a AAA credit rating, an international rating that reflects investor confidence in our economy. This confidence is crucial to attracting the investments needed for our growth. Our approach is based on a comprehensive review of departmental spending to eliminate inefficiencies and duplication, while maintaining transfers to provinces and individuals.”
“(1730) We are going to improve the resilience of food supply chains and support innovation. We are going to change the mandates of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and the Pest Management Regulatory Agency to ensure that food safety and the cost of food factor into all of their regulatory decisions, without compromising health and safety. We are also determined to maintain Canada's commitment to supply management and the sectors it covers, including dairy, poultry and eggs. This system protects Canadian jobs and ensures the stability of our food supply in the face of fluctuating production costs, while guaranteeing farmers a minimum price for their products. The supply management system is especially important in my riding, where poultry farms play a critical role in Upper Madawaska's economy.”
“For example, in my home province of New Brunswick, we will invest over $11 million to expand access to school meal programs, which will help more than 57,000 additional children. The official opposition leader has been against school meals since day one, just like he is against affordable child care. Cynically, he says that the school food program is being used to feed bureaucracy instead of children, but we can confidently say that hundreds of thousands of children are benefiting from healthy meals at school. Because we recognize the critical importance of food security, we will also be introducing more measures in the coming months. We are going to invest in greenhouses. Hydroponics and other agricultural activities in a controlled environment enable us to grow more types of food here in Canada.”
“Now, approximately 8 million Canadians can benefit from affordable dental care, saving them an average of more than $800 per year. This is another meaningful step forward in improving the health and well-being of our constituents. We cannot talk about affordability without talking about food security. Our government has implemented concrete programs to combat food insecurity. For example, we invested $1 billion over five years in a national school food program that will help another 400,000 children get nutritious meals at school. This program ensures that children do not have to get through their school day on an empty stomach. We have reached agreements with every province and territory.”
“By protecting and strengthening this program, we are enabling many parents, especially mothers, to balance work and family life, thereby strengthening the workforce and the national economy. Our Conservative colleagues voted against that. We know that when families are strong, the economy is strong, and we are making Canada strong. The Liberals also introduced the Canada child benefit, which helps families provide for their children. Since its introduction in 2016, nearly 650,000 children have been lifted out of poverty. For example, more than $40 million per year is paid out to families in my riding of Madawaska—Restigouche. In addition, we have expanded eligibility for the Canadian dental care plan to all age groups in order to help families cope with the cost of living.”
“We also got rid of the consumer carbon tax, again demonstrating our commitment to reducing its direct cost to households. These concrete, practical measures clearly demonstrate that our government is paying attention to Canadian families and taking action to improve their daily lives. The Conservatives, on the other hand, have consistently voted against measures designed to make life more affordable, whether in terms of expanding dental care, pharmacare or historic child care funding agreements. The Liberals introduced affordable child care. Since 2021, more than 900,000 children have benefited from quality child care services. On average, this saves families thousands of dollars a year.”
“They gave us a clear mandate: to build a stronger, more resilient economy. In response to concerns about the cost of living, our government has taken decisive action by implementing concrete measures to ease the tax burden on Canadians. We have lowered taxes for nearly 22 million people. This means that millions of families now have more money in their pockets, a measure that has a direct impact on their daily lives. We removed the GST for first-time home buyers. Purchasing a home is one of the most important investments a family will make. By removing the goods and services tax on homes worth up to $1 million purchased by first-time buyers, we are making it easier for many families to buy a home and helping them build their future.”
“Mr. Speaker, today we are debating a motion that, under the guise of legitimate concerns about the cost of living and food security, unfortunately proposes a vision that I would describe as simplistic and disconnected from Canada's economic and social reality. This motion ignores the global economic context. It also ignores the tangible, meaningful and responsible efforts our new government is making to make life more affordable, protect families, support workers and build a sustainable future. This is not an abstract debate, but one about the well-being of millions of Canadians who rely on smart, thoughtful, balanced and forward-looking public policies. In the last election, Canadians chose to elect a Liberal government that has a clear, responsible and ambitious plan to protect and grow our economy.”
“Mr. Speaker, I was very pleased to hear my colleague talk about the importance of agriculture in his speech. In my riding, Madawaska—Restigouche, there are vegetable farms, as well as farmers who grow potatoes in the Grand Falls area, and poultry farms in Upper Madawaska. I would like my colleague to talk about the importance of the measures we have taken to save agriculture, not only in rural ridings like mine, but across the entire country.”
“Mr. Speaker, our new government was elected to take real action to make life more affordable for Canadians. This includes taking concrete steps to address issues like food insecurity, such as with a national school food program. We are committed to supporting children and families with access to healthy food. What positive impact has this program had on communities?”
“Madam Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague for his speech, which included some pretty interesting parts. He talked about living together as a society. A little later, he mentioned the bill, referring to it as smoke and mirrors. The bill before us, which seeks to combat hate crimes, is definitely not smoke and mirrors, especially for people living in fear, people who face intimidation when they go to their places of worship, their religious institutions or their schools. These are essential measures to ensure that people can indeed live together in communal harmony and feel safe walking down the street. I would like to know whether my colleague plans to vote in favour of the bill. Does he intend to work with us in good faith to ensure that it passes?”
“She generously gives her time to a number of community events, acts as an ambassador for francophone youth and actively contributes to the local music, poetry and literature community. Congratulations, Carlie, you are a source of pride for your region.”
“Mr. Speaker, I often say that my riding of Madawaska—Restigouche is full of talent, and today I would like to draw the House's attention to an exceptional young woman. Her name is Micekencia Carlie François, a teenager of Haitian origin who is now a resident of Edmundston, where she is pursuing her secondary studies at Cité des jeunes A.‑M.‑Sormany. Last July, she published her very first book, L'été canadien à travers mes yeux , with Éditions de la Francophonie. In this touching book, she recounts her experience of her very first summer in Canada as a newcomer. With sensitivity and authenticity, she shares the joys, doubts and emotions that shaped her journey. In addition to being a promising author who masters our beautiful French language with finesse, Carlie is actively involved in her community.”
“Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate my colleague on his excellent speech on Bill C‑2 . I am very happy to be working with him as part of a team that is committed to making our borders safer and cracking down on fentanyl trafficking and auto theft. Why is Bill C‑2 important to the beautiful riding he represents, La Prairie—Atateken?”
“Mr. Speaker, my colleague from the Conservative Party spoke about the importance of border security and even mentioned the Harper government's record in that area. I would like to remind her that during their last term in power, the Conservatives made significant cuts to the Canada Border Services Agency, which led to the elimination of more than 1,000 jobs. Their words today do not reflect their past actions. For our part, we are taking meaningful steps to strengthen border security with Bill C‑2 . Are the Conservatives willing to work with us to make our borders safer and stronger?”
“Mr. Speaker, access to safe and affordable housing is a basic need and a shared responsibility. Canadians expect real progress to accelerate housing construction and lower costs so that young people, families, vulnerable people and those at all stages of life can access housing that meets their needs. Can the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure update the House on the government's recently announced plan to improve housing affordability and access across the country?”
“Madam Speaker, as I said earlier in my speech, debate on a subject as serious as access to citizenship merits accuracy and discipline on our part. When I said that, I was referring to this type of speech. I think we should avoid exaggeration, oversimplification and provocative slogans designed to rile up social media. We should take our responsibilities as legislators seriously and focus on studying Bill C‑3 , which is about access to citizenship. Here is my question for my colleague. What so-called amendments would his party make to Bill C‑3?”
“Madam Speaker, I believe that Bill C‑3 was one of the first bills introduced by our new government in the early days of this new Parliament last spring. I would suggest that this shows how important this issue is to our new government and how seriously we take this matter. Of course, time is of the essence when we consider Bill C‑3, since the Ontario Superior Court of Justice declared that the first-generation limit is unconstitutional. We were granted a suspension from the court until November of this year to allow us to examine Bill C‑3. As a result, the parties will need to work together to pass Bill C‑3.”
“Madam Speaker, for now, Bill C‑3 is a welcome step in the right direction because many Canadians have lost their citizenship. I have also heard stories about people in very problematic situations, which is why I said in my speech that we always have to keep in mind that the decisions we make in the House have a real impact on people's everyday lives. Conversations about access to citizenship are conversations about identity, about who we really are. That is why it is so important to work on Bill C‑3. I believe there is always room for conversations about ways to improve our citizenship system going forward. Talking about these ideas with colleagues is enriching, but, right now, we are talking about Bill C‑3. I hope it will be passed as soon as possible in order to correct this historic injustice.”
“Madam Speaker, I am proud to represent Madawaska—Restigouche, a riding outside Quebec where over 80% of the population is francophone. Today, we are debating Bill C-3 , which seeks to correct a historic injustice that has been deemed unconstitutional: the first-generation measure. We have a duty to adopt a balanced system to ensure that people who have genuine ties to our country can become Canadian citizens. They should not be unfairly deprived of their citizenship. There are two different kinds of citizenship. There is citizenship by naturalization, for which we have an immigration system and criteria. However, in this case, we are talking about something else, and that is citizenship by descent, where a parent can pass on citizenship to their children. To that end, I think that Bill C‑3 provides a balanced and reasonable system.”
“It corrects a past injustice toward Canadians who were deprived of their citizenship, while ensuring that, in the future, citizenship by descent is based on genuine ties to our country. I therefore call on my colleagues from all parties to work together on advancing this important bill. As legislators, we have an opportunity to set aside partisan differences, show leadership and vision, and reaffirm our commitment to a fair and inclusive model of citizenship that reflects our shared values.”
“Of course, as elected officials, we have to make choices, draw lines and sometimes make difficult decisions. In the process, however, we must never forget the human dimension of our decisions or the impact that our words can have in the public sphere. Bill C‑3 is based on a reasoned, balanced approach that allows us to meet our constitutional obligations while maintaining the integrity of our citizenship. In closing, I want to stress that Canadian citizenship instills in all of us a deep sense of belonging to the diverse, democratic and inclusive country we are proud to call our own. Our government will continue to protect the value of Canadian citizenship by ensuring that the process remains fair, transparent and rooted in sound principles. Bill C‑3 strikes a necessary balance.”
“I would also urge everyone to demonstrate caution and accuracy in terms of the tone and content of our debates, particularly when dealing with issues as sensitive as access to citizenship. Provocative slogans and simplistic solutions designed to inflame social media have no place in a serious debate such as this. We are here to legislate responsibly, not to polarize public discourse. As legislators, we have a duty to maintain a safe social environment and to consider the impact our words could have in the public sphere. We have seen what can happen elsewhere in the world when debates on citizenship and immigration are weaponized. It results in social division, stigma and a rise in intolerance and mistrust. Canada must not go down that path.”