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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“Last year, in just 11 months, some 20 agreements were signed with countries around the world. This means new markets are opening up for Canadian businesses. It also means we will attract investment to Canada. This is already yielding meaningful results: a substantial increase in the value of Canadian goods exported to other regions of the world, outside the United States. I can think of a tangible example from my riding. The agreement we signed with Mexico will, among other things, allow potatoes to be exported to the Mexican market both for processing and for consumption. This means that our local potato farmers will gain access to a market of over 130 million people. I have spoken with several potato farmers, and I must say they certainly welcomed the news.”
“Through budget 2025, we put in place a suite of measures called investment super-deductions, such as immediate expensing and other forms of accelerated depreciation. These measures send a clear message: The time to invest in Canada is now. In particular, these measures help businesses cover the cost of buying machinery, new technologies and various types of equipment so they can increase productivity and innovate. There is also all the work we are doing to improve and streamline our scientific research and experimental development tax incentive program. In fact, I have visited companies in my riding that are benefiting from this program and are eager to see the results of the improvements we are currently making to it. There is also all the work we need to do to diversify the Canadian economy.”
“The funds are intended to support the hardest-hit sectors to help them maintain operations and retool during challenging times. I am also thinking about everything we have done to support the softwood lumber sector, which is particularly important for the economy in my riding. In particular, I am thinking about access to loan guarantees to facilitate quick access to liquidity when times are tough, as well as various measures that help the industry adapt, innovate and transform. In fact, there is a softwood lumber task force, in which New Brunswick is represented, of course. In addition to this immediate work, we are also working hard to support our SMEs, which are the backbone of the Canadian economy. I am thinking in particular about all the programs to support innovation and encourage productivity gains.”
“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak to the second budget implementation act. The core of this bill reflects our intention to build Canada strong. I thought I would use the next few minutes to talk a little about what we mean by “building Canada strong”. First of all, we mean building a strong Canadian economy. From day one, we have focused on making the Canadian economy stronger and more resilient. Although we are facing a tariff war that we never asked for, we have to act first and foremost to support the sectors and workers that are most affected. I am thinking of the steel, aluminum, auto and lumber sectors. My riding offers some concrete examples. The first announcement related to the strategic response fund was made in Madawaska—Restigouche and involved a business based in Clair, operating in the steel sector.”
“What measures will be put in place to enable us to achieve our ambitious goal of 12% francophone immigration by 2029? I know that this is an important issue. Like many of my colleagues, I care deeply about this issue, and having discussed it often with the minister, I know that she cares a lot about it too.”
“That meant that one permanent resident out of every 200 was francophone. Less than two years after the minister took office in Nova Scotia, that number had risen to 10%. The number went from one in 200 to one in 10 because she brought in concrete measures to ensure the success of francophone immigration in Nova Scotia. I am now seeing her exercise that leadership at the federal level. As I mentioned, we reached 8.9% in 2025, and we are aiming to continue toward the ambitious goal of 12% by 2029. This involves implementing a range of measures. We have a francophone immigration pilot program. We have put measures in place through express entry, and we are also working with our provincial and territorial partners. My question for the minister tonight is this: What is her plan?”
“We need to make absolutely sure that our communities have the intake capacity needed to ensure that people stay and that immigrants who choose to settle in our communities have positive social and economic experiences. For example, we have been able to increase the number of welcoming francophone communities across the country. In fact, I am fortunate to have in my riding of Madawaska—Restigouche two of the 24 welcoming francophone communities outside Quebec. These are concrete examples of how our investments are making a real difference in this area. I would like to highlight the minister's leadership on francophone immigration. When she took office as Nova Scotia's immigration minister about a decade ago, francophone immigration accounted for 0.5% of admissions through the Nova Scotia nominee program.”
“However, there is more to it than just recruitment. We need to make sure that we have the capacity to welcome and properly integrate those who choose to settle here, whether it be in Acadia, French Ontario, western Canada or the north. We must help our communities. With the funding we have invested in francophone immigration, we are seeking to strengthen the French-speaking pathway. That begins with pre-departure services that are offered even before people arrive in the country and individualized reception services at our airports. When people arrive, they get orientation services, help finding employment, language training and community connection services, which are provided by francophone organizations that understand what life is like in our minority communities and that play a key role in integration.”
“Then, there was a historic investment of more than $220 million to support francophone immigration in the action plan for official languages 2023-2028. I will get to that in a moment. What is important to know is that the government met its target of 4.4% in 2022 for the first time and then we increased our targets every year. For example, last year, under the minister's leadership, we reached a record target of 8.9% for francophone immigration. This is important because francophone immigration of 8.9% is enough to put the demographic weight of francophone communities outside Quebec back on track for growth. What is more, the investments that we have made, including the over $220 million announced in 2023, have enabled us to implement targeted international recruitment measures and empower our communities to play a role in recruitment.”
“The initial goal was to reach a target of 4.4% francophone immigration by 2008. It was also in 2003 that, as part of the first action plan for official languages, initial public funding was announced to help structure the francophone immigration ecosystem. This made it possible to establish the first collaborative structures as well as French-language settlement services across the country. However, in 2006, with the change in government and priorities, francophone immigration took a back seat. We can talk about a decade of stagnation. We had to wait for the Liberals to return to power to review action on francophone immigration, including a significant reinvestment in 2018 through the action plan for official languages 2018‑2023.”
“Mr. Chair, I will be sharing my time. I rise this evening to speak to an issue that is particularly close to my heart and to the minister's: francophone immigration. As we know, immigration has significant economic, social, and demographic impacts on our communities. Immigrants enrich the social fabric of our francophone communities and help meet labour needs. As we know, immigration is the main driver of population growth in Canada. Historically, francophone immigration rates have been very low. It was not until 2019 that francophone immigration outside Quebec exceeded 2%. This has contributed to the accelerated decline in the demographic share of francophones living in minority communities across the country. That is why, in 2003, a strategic framework for francophone immigration was established.”
“Acadians from all corners of the world will gather in my part of the country to celebrate their identity and strengthen the bonds that already unite them.”
“Mr. Speaker, Acadian civil society is here on the Hill this week to discuss issues of importance to Acadia. We Acadians have been present in North America for over 400 years. Although we have faced our share of challenges throughout our history, we remain a strong, resilient, proud and forward-looking people. We are deeply attached to our symbols, such as our national holiday on August 15. In the 2025 budget, we not only doubled funding for National Acadian Day, but we made it permanent. This is a wonderful recognition of our Acadian people by our government. Furthermore, I am very pleased to announce that the Baie-des-Chaleurs region will host the 2029 Congrès mondial acadien, which is already shaping up to be a unifying event with a promising future.”
“Mr. Speaker, I would first like to congratulate my colleague on her excellent speech. I am very pleased that there is one more member of our caucus who cares deeply about our Canadian francophonie. I am very pleased to be able to serve with her. During her recent election campaign, what did she hear from her constituents about the importance of the measures that we are putting in place to help people cope with the rising cost of living? She put it very well when she said that we are focusing on what we can control, and that includes putting measures in place to help people. I would like to hear what her constituents told her about this.”
“Mr. Speaker, since coming to power, we have invested heavily in infrastructure and housing, and we have launched our defence industrial strategy. In order to complete these major projects, we need people to build our country. We need people in skilled trades. I would like the Minister of Finance to talk about the measures we have put in place to substantially increase the number of workers in the skilled trades in Canada and to tell us why now is the time to take these steps.”
“Mr. Speaker, for over 100 years, the organization Acfas has been helping to advance and promote research, innovation and science culture in French. Next week, it will hold its annual congress in Trois‑Rivières, with more than 260 lectures showcasing the diversity of science in French. It will be one of the largest multidisciplinary scientific gatherings in the French-speaking world. Can the minister tell us what our government is doing to support the creation and dissemination of scientific information in French?”
“Mr. Speaker, in my speech, I mentioned the importance of concrete examples. When we announce an additional $500 million through the tariff response initiative, for example, what does that mean for small and medium-sized businesses in our regions? It means support for businesses in Les Pays-d'en-Haut. It also means support for businesses like Max Steel in Madawaska—Restigouche to modernize, adapt, retool and deal with the current challenges. In and of itself, I believe that this support is about more than just numbers to be debated in the House. It is about concrete assistance that makes a difference for our businesses, helps create and maintain good jobs in our regions and rural areas, and opens up new opportunities for these businesses to continue to prosper.”
“For our part, we are truly focused on strengthening the Canadian economy and delivering on our promises through major projects of national interest, while standing by our businesses and workers, something that does not seem to be the case for the opposition.”
“Mr. Speaker, I would like to remind my colleague that, over the past year, we have announced a series of measures to support the development of major projects of national interest in Canada. I am thinking in particular of the offshore wind project off the coast of Nova Scotia and a whole range of other major projects. We have also announced a suite of targeted measures to support our businesses and various sectors affected by the tariffs. I would like to point out that, on several occasions, our colleagues in the official opposition have had the opportunity to vote in favour of measures to support our businesses and workers, but that, on almost every occasion, they have opposed them.”
“That includes a range of measures that will have an impact in the short term to help the businesses most affected by the tariffs, but also to help strengthen these businesses in the long term and, ultimately, to strengthen the Canadian economy.”
“Mr. Speaker, I think that is why it is important to have a comprehensive strategy with short-term actions, including the assistance measures that were recently announced in the form of loans and various types of subsidies to help the businesses most affected by the tariffs. There are also medium- and long-term measures. Strengthening the Canadian market means investments in our infrastructure and the buy Canadian policy that we are currently implementing. It also means diversifying our markets internationally. We are also providing support through various programs to SMEs that want to explore new markets.”
“By investing in our industries, workers and regions, we are not just responding to present-day challenges; we are building a future where our economy is stronger, more diversified and more independent, a future where Canada continues to stand out on the world stage.”
“That includes historic investments in housing and infrastructure that are part of an overall strategy to increase demand for Canadian products and an important tool to strengthen our economy and support our businesses. In my riding, for example, softwood lumber is a mainstay of our economy. History shows that Canada was literally built by our forests and forestry workers. Today, we want to continue building our country with our softwood lumber, our steel and our aluminum. The willingness to buy Canadian is central to our strategy of becoming our own best customer and boosting domestic demand. In closing, I would like to remind members that the challenges ahead are real, but that our government is determined to take action. Canada has a history of resilience, innovation and determination.”
“In addition to our efforts to provide immediate assistance to the businesses that need it most and to diversify our markets abroad, we have been working hard since day one to strengthen our domestic market. In June, we passed Bill C‑5, the One Canadian Economy Act , which removed federal barriers to domestic trade and labour mobility. Since then, the provinces and territories have also worked toward eliminating trade barriers, and we look forward to the provinces' and territories' next steps. The buy Canadian policy makes it easier for small and medium-sized businesses to sell their products to the federal government and strengthens our supply chains. We value leading by example and being our own best customer to stimulate domestic demand. We are also making major investments in building our country.”
“Recently, for example, Canada and Mexico agreed on new provisions allowing Canadian potatoes to be exported to the Mexican market for both processing and consumption. The potato industry plays a major role in the Canadian economy and in the economy of my riding of Madawaska—Restigouche. Potatoes are the fifth most important crop in Canada, contributing approximately $2.1 billion in farm cash receipts in 2024. Our agreement with Mexico will give this industry access to a market of over 130 million consumers. From discussions I have had with farmers in Grand Falls, who are very excited about the idea of developing new markets, I know that this news was very well received back home. For our farmers and processors, this agreement represents a concrete opportunity to export their products to Mexico.”
“In just 11 months, Canada has concluded 20 new economic and security agreements across four continents, and the results are already visible. In 2025, Canadian exports of goods and services to markets other than the United States increased by $33 billion over the previous year. This is just the beginning, because we will continue working to open new markets in order to expand opportunities for our businesses and our workers. I want to give a concrete example of the benefits of our efforts to diversify our economy. In February, our government led a successful trade mission to Mexico, and we will soon be hosting a Mexican economic mission to Canada. These exchanges are not just symbolic. They produce tangible results.”
“As a member of Parliament, I am always pleased to announce investments that support local businesses and support good-quality jobs in my region. In addition to our efforts to support businesses, we are also actively working to strengthen Canada's economy by diversifying and strengthening our trade partnerships around the world. That is why our government is implementing the most ambitious trade diversification strategy in a generation. Canada has everything the world needs: abundant natural resources, a skilled workforce, and recognized expertise across a range of leading-edge sectors. We must capitalize on these strengths. We are therefore entering into mutually beneficial trade agreements with reliable partners across the globe.”
“As Max Steel's chief executive officer said when the announcement was made, this support from the Government of Canada comes at a strategic time and will help the company accelerate its modernization, improve its productivity, and strengthen its competitiveness in the face of current business challenges, while also creating and maintaining skilled jobs in New Brunswick, including in the Madawaska region. This initiative is the perfect example of what we want to accomplish: giving our businesses, including in rural areas, the tools they need to succeed in the current context of instability. (1305) Building Canada strong also means building regions strong, and this means supporting our local businesses. I want to emphasize that point. Our rural regions are not on the margins; they are an essential pillar of our country and of our economy.”
“Max Steel, founded in 1987 and located in Clair, in the Madawaska region, is hailed as a regional leader in the design, fabrication, welding, and laser cutting of steel structures. I had the pleasure to announce, on behalf of the Government of Canada, a $750,000 contribution to support this local business. This investment will allow Max Steel to acquire specialized equipment such as a CNC structural steel beam production line and welding robots. This major project will strengthen the value chain for my region's steel industry while integrating modern technologies that improve efficiency and encourage innovation.”
“steel and aluminum, reducing freight rates for Canadian steel, adjusting tariff quotas to fight dumping, implementing a buy Canadian procurement policy so that new national infrastructure is built with Canadian steel and aluminum, and making diversification tools available to businesses through the $5-billion strategic response fund. I would like to give a specific example of how this support is felt on the ground. Through the regional tariff response initiative, the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency administers $80 million to support small and medium-sized businesses. This funding enables businesses to modernize their operations, strengthen their supply chains and explore new markets. In March, in my riding of Madawaska—Restigouche, I announced the very first investment made through this tariff response initiative in Atlantic Canada.”
“We recently created a new $1‑billion Business Development Bank of Canada program to provide support and funding for businesses in our steel, aluminum and copper industries to help them address immediate pressures and transform their operations. We are also allocating an additional $500 million to Canada's regional development agencies, as part of the regional tariff response initiative, to ensure that this support reaches every corner of our country. This will considerably strengthen our existing tariff response, which includes maintaining countertariffs on U.S.”
“Of course, our government took immediate action to support and strengthen the strategic industries that are at the heart of our prosperity and that are particularly affected by these tariffs. These include steel, aluminum, copper and softwood lumber, critical sectors that help build our country, drive our exports and create thousands of high-quality jobs. Behind these industries are skilled workers, families and entire communities that depend on a sector to live and prosper. That is why we have put in place concrete measures to support workers and businesses affected by the unjustified tariffs, while continuing our efforts to get the tariffs lifted.”
“While we wait for our American partners to be ready to engage in serious and constructive discussions, we are not sitting idly by. On the contrary, we are taking action. We are focusing on what we can control and on building Canada strong. We have already announced a comprehensive tariff response plan to help Canadian businesses adapt, compete and grow in a new global environment. This includes support to help businesses retool and reinvest, measures to increase domestic demand for Canadian products, and actions to strengthen Canada's long-term economic resilience by building a stronger domestic market and diversifying trade abroad. We are taking a truly comprehensive approach to strengthen the Canadian economy and make it more resilient.”
“Mr. Speaker, I will be sharing my time with the member for Mississauga—Lakeshore . Today's motion concerns measures to support the manufacturing sector in the face of unjustified and illegal tariffs. The United States, the world's largest economy, is fundamentally reshaping its trade relations with the rest of the world. This rapid transformation is causing significant disruption and major upheaval for Canada, as well as for many other countries, and for our industries, our workers and our communities. Faced with this reality, Canada has demonstrated that it is serious, committed, and ready to take action. We have approached negotiations with the United States with rigour and in good faith. However, let us be clear.”
“Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague for his speech. As I listen to him and read the motion, I see our government's overall direction and the comprehensive approach we have taken on economic issues, from diversifying our international partnerships and providing immediate relief measures, such as the funds we just announced this week, to strengthening the domestic market and boosting demand. Would my colleague from the Bloc Québécois agree that the spirit of the motion, particularly where it refers to helping businesses, is somewhat in line with the approach our government has been taking over the past year? That is what I gather from listening to him.”
“Mr. Speaker, I would like to know whether my colleague agrees with me. I would say that one of the strengths of our government's strategy is that we are truly presenting a comprehensive plan. We are helping businesses that have immediate needs. We are diversifying our markets abroad. We are building a stronger domestic market, particularly through strategic infrastructure investments and our “buy Canadian” policy. I would like to hear my colleague's thoughts on this strategy. Does he agree with me that one of its strengths is its coherence and the fact that it includes multiple components—both short-term measures for businesses that need help right now and long-term measures to strengthen our economy?”
“Mr. Speaker, in the member's introduction, he mentioned the trade diversification strategy that we are putting in place. He made reference to the various trade agreements. We have signed about 20 agreements in the last 11 months, and those trade agreements are making a difference. Already, in 2025, we have increased the value of our non-U.S. exports by $33 billion over 2024. This will have a tangible impact on key sectors of the Canadian and Quebec economies. The aerospace industry, the agri-food sector and the lifting of the tariffs on seafood come to mind. In addition to negotiating a good agreement with the United States, how could this economic diversification strategy be essential to supporting the vitality of economic sectors in Canada and Quebec?”
“Mr. Speaker, in his speech, my colleague mentioned that he had visited schools and spoke about the importance of supporting our youth. I would like him to say a few words about our historic investment in sport and its impact on our young people. Why is it important to support sport, including for the younger generation?”
“Mr. Speaker, the economic update confirms that we have reached the defence spending target of 2% of GDP. This is excellent news, and it translates into investments across the country, including in my colleague's riding of Labrador.”
“Mr. Speaker, we are investing in several projects of national interest. This includes projects related to various types of energy, such as clean energy. I am thinking in particular of our investments in offshore wind energy off the coast of Nova Scotia. I am also thinking of all the mining projects currently in development, including one in New Brunswick that is under discussion with the federal government. There are also small and medium-sized projects that will have a transformative impact on our communities. We are making many investments that will support the energy sector both in Atlantic Canada and across the country.”
“When my colleague says there is nothing for his province in the economic update, I would invite him to take another look and see that there are in fact a number of positive benefits for the whole country.”
“Mr. Speaker, I do not share my colleague's interpretation. When we look at the economic update, we can see that there are positive benefits for the whole of Canada, whether in Atlantic Canada, Quebec or elsewhere in the country. I would like to again mention small craft harbour infrastructure. I know this is important for Quebec. Then there are the EI measures we announced in relation to the spring gap. That was a Bloc Québécois request. I am also thinking of the investments being made in Quebec in several major infrastructure projects of national interest, which the Bloc Québécois has often spoken to us about in the House. I am thinking of the update we are making regarding housing. Quebec and Ottawa signed an agreement as recently as January to speed up housing construction in Quebec.”
“Mr. Speaker, I am glad to hear my colleague mention the $3.8-billion nature strategy, which includes an investment of $82 million to protect Atlantic salmon. The Restigouche River is internationally recognized for its waters, where salmon are plentiful. It is in my riding and I am very proud of that. I have actually been having ongoing discussions with the Minister of Fisheries regarding this investment. I look forward to seeing how these investments will translate into real measures to better protect salmon habitat in the Restigouche River and other salmon-rich rivers in Atlantic Canada. In fact, we are also investing in other projects to protect salmon habitat in our river.”
“I look forward to hearing questions from my colleagues, and I hope we can work together to pass this economic update. I hope that my colleagues in the opposition will support us, because I believe this update contains good news for all Canadians.”
“Podiatrists, physiotherapists, speech therapists and occupational therapists will all be able to certify certain conditions related to their areas of expertise. These are just some of the various measures we are putting in place to ensure that people who need help actually get the support they need. This economic update brings more good news for the Atlantic provinces. As we know, investments in small craft harbour infrastructure were long overdue. This was a long-standing request from coastal communities. I am pleased to say that, in this budget, the Atlantic provinces have been heard, and we will see historic investments in this harbour infrastructure, which plays a vital role in the economies of rural and coastal communities.”
“I will give a concrete example. If a health care professional certifies on the form that their patient has Alzheimer's disease, they will not need to answer all the questions about how the disease is affecting their daily life, because that information has already been documented, and we will consider the person with the disease eligible for the tax credit. This will apply to more than 40 medical conditions, such as stage three or higher chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, cystic fibrosis and schizophrenia. A whole series of other medical conditions are listed, and this will simplify the process for people living with those conditions. We will also expand the list of health care professionals who can certify eligibility for the tax credit in order to ease the burden on health care workers.”
“For example, health care professionals are required to certify a person's disability and its impact on their daily activities by filling out a form that can sometimes be time-consuming. Our experience over the past few years has shown us that, for certain medical conditions, it would be possible to streamline the process and reduce paperwork to simplify the process for health care professionals. That is why we announced in the economic update that we will implement a simplified application process for individuals with a formal diagnosis of certain long-lasting medical conditions. It is important to note that the eligibility criteria are not changing, but based on our experience, we have observed that people with certain illnesses do, in fact, meet the criteria, so they will no longer be required to fill out the entire form.”
“Initially, this was intended to last for six months. We have extended this period until the fall and will reassess the situation at that time. This is good news for workers. In the economic update, we also announced that we will make it easier to access the disability tax credit. The disability tax credit provides significant tax relief to persons with disabilities and their supporting family members. As members know, eligibility for the credit serves as a key requirement for other federal supports, including the Canada disability benefit. It is important for us, as a government, to ensure that people who need help are able to access all the assistance to which they are entitled. We realized that certain bureaucratic procedures could sometimes make it extra challenging to access the disability tax credit.”
“This is essential because it allows them to bridge the gap between one working season and the next, thereby avoiding what is commonly referred to as the spring gap. These support measures were initially intended to be temporary and were due to expire in October 2026. My colleagues from the affected regions and I have held discussions with our colleagues, and I am very pleased to say that the economic update has announced additional funding to extend the five‑week measure, so that seasonal workers in our regions can continue to receive benefits during what is known as the spring gap. The economic update also extends some of the temporary measures we put in place in response to the tariff dispute. For example, the one-week waiting period for receiving EI benefits has been temporarily removed.”
“It gives them some financial stability and lets them remain in their community. Supporting seasonal workers through EI this way also benefits employers in the sectors I mentioned earlier, as well as our regional economies, by allowing employers to retain skilled workers and to ensure they remain on hand for the coming season. A program consisting of five additional weeks of EI was created in 2018 to support seasonal workers. It was active in 13 of the country's economic regions where seasonal work employs a significant portion of the labour market, as it does in Madawaska—Charlotte and Restigouche-Albert, which make up the entirety of my riding. (1255) These measures enable seasonal workers to receive five additional weeks of benefits.”