Dominique O'Rourke
Guelph, Ontario · Liberal · Canada
“Mr. Speaker, first, I just want to celebrate the Guelph & District Multicultural Festival, which celebrated its 40th anniversary this weekend. I congratulate Anu Saxena, their chair, and also Cinthuja Leon, who is their executive director. It was another amazing weekend.”
“Mr. Speaker, the previous question was about what the rush is in terms of passing this legislation. I want to ask my hon. colleague this: When you are out in the community, the amazing Spadina—Harbourfront, are you hearing from people that this is a housing crisis and an emergency, and that they want us to move quickly during construction…”
“Mr. Speaker, let us honour the life and legacy of James Ross Hurley, the founding director of the parliamentary internship programme. Created in 1969 by Wellington MP Alf Hales, the program flourished under James Hurley's leadership as a unique, non-partisan opportunity for university graduates to experience parliamentary democracy.”
“Mr. Speaker, Canada has one of the strongest democracies in the world, but we can never take that for granted. We need to protect the independence of our judiciary. We need a strong parliamentary system, and we need strong journalism. Obviously we can never take our democracy for granted. We need to strengthen those institutions.”
“(1410) [ English ] James Hurley devoted his life to public service as a Privy Council Office constitutional adviser to six prime ministers, a beloved mentor and a professor of political science at the University of Ottawa. In March 2025, he left us.”
“Since its launch, Build Canada Homes has moved quickly to get housing projects off the ground. The Government of Canada has identified public lands that can be converted into housing. We have partnered with local governments to cut red tape and fast-track approvals.”
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“Mr. Speaker, my colleague from Alfred-Pellan answered his own question. Yes, we must look at the automotive strategy and budget as a comprehensive plan to attract investment. We need to look at not only the automotive sector, but also Canada's manufacturing sector as a whole. We need to look at the entire supply chain, from critical minerals to auto parts, from assembly to distribution and charging stations. This will build confidence in the sector and ensure we have the best workers in the world, equipped to do the job.”
“Mr. Speaker, I apologize but I do not understand the question. I did not move the amendment and I have not read it. If you would like to ask me a question relating to my speech or the plan, I would be happy to answer.”
“Mr. Speaker, we will absolutely support Canadian auto workers. Let us be very clear. We also have the Canadian Automobile Dealers Association. I do not believe the Conservatives, for this motion, have consulted with any of the large associations. A lot of Canadians will buy a Kia. A lot of Canadians will buy electric vehicles from a lot of places. Why the focus on the North American auto market? Why are they now talking down some of our partners, where the parts are being sold and the collaborations are taking place? We have an integrated North American auto market. We are going to fight for that integrated auto market. We are going to fight for auto workers.”
“We have an integrated auto manufacturing sector. All vehicles assembled in North America have parts from Canada. The strategic response fund is helpful. I do not support this opposition motion, because there is no substance. I support Canada's auto sector strategy. I support solutions that work. I stand with the sector and with our auto workers.”
“The Canadian Auto Dealer president and CEO stated: The expanded and adjusted support measures aimed at maintaining Canada’s vital automotive manufacturing sector are essential as we enter the critical phase of the CUSMA renegotiation with the U.S. Dealers across Canada particularly applaud the government for ending the EV mandate and choosing a better path forward for EV adoption that is more in line with diverse technology, charging infrastructure and overall consumer demand. Even Unifor representatives are saying that they are ecstatic and believe this is very helpful for the sector. The Conservative motion before the House today is not a strategy. It is not sound policy. It is not even accurate. We need clarity, not confusion. EV incentives go to Canadian households and Canadian businesses.”
“This strategy has been supported by the Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers' Association. It welcomes the government's automotive strategy, stating: Funding to support renewed purchase incentives and a robust charging infrastructure strategy will help continue to drive EV adoption, and CVMA members are well-positioned to support the shift to electrification through diverse product offerings. The Global Automakers of Canada stated: We are pleased that the government has provided greater clarity on issues such as the Electric Vehicle Accessibility Standard, the reinstatement of EV incentives, and a commitment to aggressively build out the charging infrastructure. The members of the Ontario Auto Mayors caucus are thrilled, and the next one is my favourite.”
“We are establishing a comprehensive trade regime that strengthens the competitiveness of the auto sector by strengthening the remissions framework to reward companies that produce and invest in Canada, which we should all be able to agree on. We are attracting new investment to Canada, which should also be an easy point of agreement, and we are maintaining our countertariffs on auto imports from the United States to ensure a level playing field for Canadian automotive manufacturers in the domestic market. Finally, the automotive strategy protects Canadian auto workers and businesses from immediate pressures while helping them bridge to the future, if required, through support and re-skilling. As that happens, other players are coming into the market, like EV battery plants in St. Thomas and Windsor.”
“The rebates for the purchase of an electric vehicle or a plug-in hybrid go into the pockets of individual Canadians or companies that purchase them. That is where those incentives go. Even if the vehicle comes from the U.S., it is subject to countertariffs, and it contains parts from Canada made by Canadian workers, which means it is part of our Canadian auto sector. Let us not allow the Conservatives to confuse people on this point. The Government of Canada, the Prime Minister , the Minister of Industry and cabinet members have listened to Canadians. Canadians are embracing the EV rebates. Canadians also want to address the issue of range anxiety. They want a better national EV charging network, so we are investing, as my colleague said, $1.5 billion to support the charging infrastructure.”
“That is why we have launched a five-year EV affordability program, to lower the cost of EVs for Canadians and to create a stronger domestic consumer market. The plan was always to support EV adoption over 10 years. We are resuming that plan because, frankly, it worked. This is a piece that has been missing as well. We are going to offer individuals and business owners purchase or lease incentives of up to $5,000 for battery-electric and fuel-cell EVs and up to $2,500 for plug-in hybrids with a final transaction value of up to $50,000 on cars made by countries that Canada has a free trade agreement with. To support the Canadian automotive industry, this $50,000 cap, as we know, will not apply to Canadian-made EVs and plug-in hybrids. Let us be very clear.”
“Electric car sales in 2025 were expected to exceed $20 million worldwide and to represent more than one-quarter of cars sold across the globe. In Canada, we do not have the 2025 data yet, but in 2024, EVs were responsible for 60% of the net increase in total vehicle registrations. They accounted for one in seven new vehicles sold that year, but depending on the region and the model, that number was as high as one in three or one in four new vehicles sold in 2024. There is consumer demand. What happened? (1710) When the incentives were paused, that demand dropped off as consumers waited to see if they would come back. Therefore, we are going to strengthen domestic demand by making EVs more affordable and the infrastructure more reliable for Canadians.”
“This is what the manufacturers have been asking for as they innovate in their technology and as they move towards their goals of net zero. Earlier today, some members in this House talked about automakers as laggards, but I want to applaud the industry's leadership in regard to electrification. Toyota is committed to becoming carbon-neutral across the vehicle life cycle, in its manufacturing and in its vehicles, by 2050. Consumers are with them. Toyota Canada's Q3 results show electrified vehicles representing 49.4% of overall sales. The demand and the expertise are there. Honda also has a net-zero initiative for 2050. This trend is global. Electric car sales exceeded $17 million globally in 2024, reaching a sales share of more than 20%.”
“This means that stronger greenhouse gas emission standards put Canada on a path to achieve a goal of 75% of EV sales by 2035 and 90% of EV sales by 2040 to reduce our carbon footprint and secure Canada's global leadership in clean energy. I am really thrilled to be speaking at the same time as my hon. colleague, the member for Halifax . I attended the environment caucus presentations from Electric Mobility Canada, and environment caucus members joined in auto caucus meetings. We really understand that there is an exciting intersection of auto and electrification that is positive, and that is where the world is going. The more stringent emissions standards will allow manufacturers to use a range of technologies to meet the standards and respond to consumer preferences in the near term while driving adoption over time.”
“I have been promoting this in my riding, and I hope all members of the House are reaching out to potentially tariff-affected businesses and letting them know what supports exist, even if they voted against those supports in budget 2025. The auto strategy will harness the productivity superdeduction and reduced corporate tax rates for zero-emissions technology manufacturers, to encourage investment in clean technology and EVs. The productivity superdeduction is another measure to enable all manufacturers to invest in capital or business that can be written off in the first year, and was also opposed in the budget by members opposite. The auto strategy will rationalize emissions reduction policies to focus on outcomes.”
“That is why I chair the auto caucus. I understand in my bones how important the sector, with 500,000 jobs, is to Canada and to our communities. In Guelph alone, there are 12,000 jobs in the auto sector. I care about the auto workers and the health of the sector. This government cares. That is why we announced a comprehensive auto strategy last week. Through that strategy, we will accelerate investment in Canada's auto manufacturing sector, with $3 billion from the strategic response fund and up to $100 million from the regional tariff response initiative to help the auto industry adapt, grow and diversify to new markets.”
“Mr. Speaker, before I begin, I would like to join others in expressing my condolences on the profound tragedies at Tumbler Ridge and Kitigan Zibi. Having lost people close to me, I know it is really challenging, when one's world has been shattered, to feel like the rest of the world is moving along. I just want those communities to know that we grieve with them, and they are in our hearts even though we are continuing the work of this place. I am very proud to represent the riding of Guelph, where we see leadership in the auto sector every single day, in parts manufacturing. Guelph is home to Linamar, Denso, Polycon, CPK and many others. Many people in Guelph work at Toyota in Cambridge, and that plant has received more quality awards than any other plant on the planet. In our region, we know auto manufacturing.”
“Mr. Speaker, the member for Oakville West is a colleague in our auto caucus. We visited Honda and Toyota together and were fortunate enough to be at the auto strategy announcement just last week. Members of the auto caucus are clearly in favour of electrification and see what the global trends are. I am curious as to whether my colleague would talk about the importance of the investments in the charging infrastructure and what they mean for Canadian consumers.”
“Mr. Speaker, I will start by saying that what we want to do is bring some clarity to this conversation, and not conflate and confuse things. The member opposite voted against budget 2025, which had funding for a strategic response fund to support tariff-affected companies and industries, like the auto sector. The Conservatives voted against the productivity superdeduction that allows large manufacturers to write off capital investments in their first year, which helps the sector. He voted against trades training and supports for people who need to retrain. I would like to know, sir, how you support that position when we are working hard to protect those jobs and workers?”
“They voted against investments in infrastructure in our ports and rails, all things that improve our supply chain, so I would invite them to support trade expansion and all the measures that would really help improve our supply chain and drive down food prices.”
“Mr. Speaker, Guelph is the home of the Ontario Agricultural College and the Ontario Veterinary College. The University of Guelph is Canada's food university. Guelph is the home of Farm & Food Care Ontario, the OFA, Ontario Pork, Ontario Beef and the Grain Farmers of Ontario. We are the home of Cargill and Maple Leaf, with whose representatives I met earlier this week. We know food in Guelph. My comment is that I am perplexed that the members opposite have voted against the productivity superdeduction in budget 2025 that will allow food processors to immediately deduct new equipment or new buildings.”
“Mr. Speaker, every year, International Development Week is a time to recognize Canada's contribution to sustainable, inclusive development around the world. Tomorrow the University of Guelph will welcome the International Fund for Agricultural Development and Farm Radio International to advance linkages between Canada's farm competitiveness and global rural transformation. As we mark this year's International Development Week, can the secretary of state describe how Canada's efforts are delivering results for partner countries and why that matters to Canadians?”
“On May 3, 2025, he celebrated his 100th birthday at the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Netherlands. Seeing this country peaceful touched him deeply. On December 22, Bill passed away. Canada thanks William Joseph Seifried. We remember.”
“Mr. Speaker, I rise to honour a hero, William Joseph Seifried. Bill joined the army at 18 and trained as a gunner at Petawawa, but when he deployed to London, England, new recruits were made infantry. Bill became a Regina Rifle and, without training, was sent to the front in France. He fought through France, Belgium and the Netherlands and then served as a reconnaissance scout in Germany. By quickly returning a grenade, Bill saved his platoon at the Leopold Canal. In peace as in war, Bill's service and kindness never wavered. He gave his all to his family, his community and his comrades at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 234, where he was a member for 78 years. In 2024, Bill proudly represented the Regina Rifles at the unveiling of a rifleman statue in Normandy with Her Royal Highness Princess Anne.”
“Mr. Speaker, budget 2025 contains many comprehensive measures to help make life more affordable for Canadians while helping grow the economy. Open banking promotes competition and affordability by letting Canadian consumers and businesses take advantage of cutting-edge technologies and share their financial data with approved and regulated service providers. Can the Secretary of State for the Canada Revenue Agency and Financial Institutions please outline why open banking is so important to the Canadian economy and how stalling progress on this file is harming Canadian consumers and businesses?”
“Mr. Speaker, I am just curious. Absolutely, the cost of rent is challenging in this country. There was some good news, but it is mixed across the country, and I think we should acknowledge that. The member mentioned that he is from Lanark County. What effect does he think the Conservative provincial government's elimination of rent control on units built after or occupied after 2018 has had? If we look at the charts in terms of rents, we can see that the “get out of the way” approach has actually driven up the cost of rents in this province.”
“Mr. Speaker, the member opposite is from a beautiful part of the country that I had the pleasure to visit recently. We agree on the need for infrastructure, and the budget includes the build communities strong fund. It has $51 billion over 10 years, and it actually says that it will provide funding to provincial and territorial governments for a diverse array of projects. Investments will prioritize housing-enabling infrastructure to fight housing costs, including water and waste water systems and roads. I am curious to know if the member will work with provincial counterparts to put up a request, potentially, for some funding. Would the member accept the funding, or would she vote against the budget? I am really perplexed. In addition, there are major projects all over this country that are infrastructure projects.”
“Mr. Chair, I sympathize and I empathize, because it must be extremely challenging for the workers in Brampton West and the workers across Canada who are impacted by tariffs. I would ask the member opposite this: Have the automakers in his riding benefited from the strategic response fund, from liquidity and from the regional tariff response initiative? Has he shared that with some of the parts manufacturers who would benefit? I am just curious whether, when workers are concerned, the member is sharing with them that the Liberal government has, in the budget, expanded EI access and protections.”
“Mr. Chair, since my colleague is very familiar with this issue, I would like to know what he considers to be the most important and urgent measures to support the automotive sector and workers. I would also like him to tell us why it is so important to explore new avenues for the automotive industry of the future and to explore new markets. I would also like him to talk to us about support for SMEs.”
“Mr. Chair, the facts matter here. I would like to be very clear that 2024 was actually a record in Canada for foreign direct investment: $85.5 billion in FDI inflows, 36% higher than 2023 and 50% above the 10-year average. Canada is attracting foreign direct investment. We will see more. Why would the member opposite not welcome that and talk Canada up so we can negotiate from a position of strength?”
“Mr. Chair, I would first like to thank my colleague for her solidarity with the automobile sector, workers, and industries. She knows Sudbury very well. There are times of great success and there are times of contraction. I would like to give her the opportunity to talk about how important it is to have a government that has measures in place to support industries and workers. I would also like her to tell us what she finds most remarkable or useful in budget 2025.”
“Mr. Chair, my colleague from Oakville and I serve on the Liberal auto caucus together. We have visited auto plants together, which I know is really important to her riding and mine. The member mentioned CUSMA, and the member opposite asked about its pertinence. I would like the member to talk about the pertinence of CUSMA, the actual lifeline. Can she tell the House more about the government's response on tariffs, the importance of ongoing negotiations and the importance of CUSMA?”
“Various governments have changed their timelines and how the measures are structured. I do not know what will be presented to us—”
“Mr. Chair, yes, there was a plan for transitioning to electric vehicles and measures were in place, not only for the number of vehicles to be sold, but also for charging stations and battery production in Canada. I believe that putting the mandate on hold is a responsible decision. Quebec and British Columbia are also doing the same thing, given the North American context. I believe it is a responsible decision during a tariff war. This is an economic war. Our most important industries are under attack. We cannot simply pretend that everything is fine. We decided to put this on hold given the context. We will assess the situation. We have spoken to manufacturers and all stakeholders. I believe that, ultimately, the goal of electrification will not change. It is happening in Europe and in Canada.”
“Mr. Chair, it is not the Government of Canada that broke the relationship with the Americans, a relationship that has been enduring since the auto pact, a relationship where there are contracts, agreements, the USMCA. There may have been trade winds, but there was certainly no indication that this was going to be an issue in this moment. The member opposite likes to talk about responding to the context, but we have to acknowledge that we are in a specific context right now that I do not know was necessarily foreseeable 10 years ago.”
“Mr. Chair, I absolutely disagree with the premise, because we have seen investments in Canada by Volkswagen. There were investments by Honda. There are investments by Stellantis. There is absolutely a diversification taking place. There are absolutely highly skilled people and support for the auto sector.”
“Mr. Chair, in Guelph we are leaders in auto parts manufacturing. Some of the largest in the world have operations in Guelph. We have highly skilled people. To date, the American trade war is creating mostly uncertainty in parts. I would say that the smaller suppliers have capacity. That is why some of these programs or incentives help them to diversify some of their operations to nuclear, to oil and gas or to defence. These are really critical things. I would encourage any businesses in Guelph or elsewhere to reach out to their MP, who can provide them with guidance on programs to help them if they are facing insecurity at this time.”
“Mr. Chair, Canada certainly has a wealth of critical minerals that are an integral part of the supply chain for charging stations and batteries. I think we absolutely need to explore that. That is one of the projects of national interest. I think we are going to hear even more about this. Indeed, China is a big issue, not just for dumping critical minerals, but also for steel and potentially other goods. This absolutely needs to be explored. That is one of our strengths.”
“Mr. Chair, we have a pause. There has been a consultation with the broader auto sector and with other stakeholders, such as the investors in charging infrastructure and the supply chain. I think what the government has done is to be completely responsible, look at the changing context and say that we are going to pause, that we are going to adjust and that we are going to come back. There are a number of jurisdictions where the regulations have changed. We have an opportunity to realign. We have an opportunity to adapt. Personally, I believe that the goal is wonderful. What we are looking at now is the pace and the context.”
“We need to be united in that, as one Canada, in this trade war. We need more investments in charging infrastructure. We need those investments in critical minerals to build the auto sector of the future. Canada has the best automakers in the world. We will fight for them today. We will build the auto sector of tomorrow together. We will attract investment. We will support these sectors.”
“Canada has a leadership ability through our critical mineral strategies, through the attraction of investment in Canada through these battery plants. If there are displaced workers, it is a tragedy, and we are there for those displaced workers. We have enhanced and increased EI. There is re-skilling, because everybody would rather just have a job. There is also work sharing. We have heard, time and time again, our Minister of Industry stand up to talk about how she is working directly with the automakers to support them. (2005) There is hope. Two weeks ago, the Windsor Star had a headline that said, “'Now in full swing'—Mass battery production begins at Windsor's $6B NextStar Energy plant”. Where there are displacements, we need to be looking for innovation. Where there is hardship, we need to be looking at solidarity.”
“Earlier in 2025, the government announced a $2-billion investment to strengthen auto manufacturing, support Canadian workers and focus on job creation and skills development. We also took steps to protect Canadian auto production by adjusting import remission quotas for automakers that failed to meet domestic production commitments. That is absolutely unacceptable. We will ensure that automakers meet their commitments. There are also significant investments in the EV and battery supply chain. I know the members opposite want to talk down EVs, but the fact is that electric vehicles were responsible for 60% of the net increase in total vehicle registrations in Canada in 2024. They accounted for one in seven new vehicles sold that year and, in some regions, one in four. Globally, it is clear that the future is electric.”
“There will be clean-technology manufacturing tax credits. Most importantly for the auto sector, there is a strategic response fund and tariff mitigation. That is $5 billion over six years through the strategic response fund to help manufacturers respond to tariffs, adopt new technologies, and modernize their production lines. The regional development agencies also have this. It is really important for the smaller businesses in this whole sector that the regional tariff response initiative would help offset tariff impacts. It could help with automation, new equipment and production expansion. We also have a climate competitiveness strategy which would support low-carbon technologies and indirectly benefit the EV and battery supply chain.”
“It should have some acknowledgement that negotiations are sensitive and should not necessarily be played out right here. I had a conversation with Unifor this week. The workers are clear, and their leaders are clear, that no deal is better than a bad deal. We will pursue a good deal. Budget 2025 supports the sector and its auto workers through a number of mechanisms. The first is a productivity superdeduction that would allow existing plants, as well as auto manufacturers and all of the subsidiaries that support them, to write off their investments of capital or software in the first year. We are expanding scientific research and experimental development credits for companies that want to innovate in the space. There is tremendous leadership in the auto sector and the private sector.”
“We know that because we have efficient auto plants and we have recent global investments. They are the proof. At the industry committee, Linda Hasenfratz, who is the executive chair for Linamar, spoke to the efficiency and the quality of our workers. Did members know that Honda is a zero-landfill facility? Did members know that Linamar drives 2% efficiencies every year? We are the most integrated market in the world. Now, not only are the tariffs in place, but also some Americans want all the assembly to be in the United States. The members opposite on the industry committee wanted this debate. I am eager to have this conversation, but it should not be a debate between us. It should be solidarity with the sector and our workers.”
“Mr. Chair, I think this debate is critical because we need to be very clear that we stand with the auto sector of today, even through these challenging times, and we are building the auto sector of the future. We are in a trade war, a trade war that is designed to attack critical Canadian industries, including the auto sector. There are 125,000 jobs directly in assembly, with more than 500,000 in parts and ancillary, primarily in Ontario and Quebec, but it is so much more than the assembly. It is tires, rubber, seats, a number of components. Guelph is particularly vulnerable to this. Guelph is the home of Linamar, an auto parts manufacturer with 11 plants in Guelph alone. Guelph is the fourth-highest exporter to the United States, per capita. We have the best automakers in the world.”
“Mr. Chair, my hon. colleague, who is the parliamentary secretary to the Minister of Industry , is intimately familiar with a number of measures put in place in budget 2025 to help automakers and parts manufacturers innovate and support their workers. I am wondering if my colleague could tell the House more about that.”
“Mr. Chair, while we intend to secure a deal with the United States, it has to be the right deal. It has to be a good deal. In the interim, would my colleague please tell us a little about what measures are in the budget to take action right now to support the industry and its workers?”
“I thank everyone leading Guelph's 16 days campaign: the CFUW, Guelph Public Library, the Guelph Resource Centre for Gender Diversity and Empowerment, Guelph-Wellington Women in Crisis, the International Institute for Critical Studies in Improvisation, Out on the Shelf, Queer Night Out, the student wellness centre at the University of Guelph, Thrive HIV Prevention & Support and Zonta Club of Guelph. I thank all the frontline organizations that support survivors and work toward prevention every single day. Everyone deserves safety, justice and dignity.”
“Mr. Speaker, in the time it takes to deliver this statement, another survivor of intimate partner violence will call for help. IPV is happening now, and 106 Ontario municipalities, including Guelph, have declared it an epidemic. It is pervasive, and we must end it. During the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence, let us acknowledge our shared responsibility, work to change the norms that allow violence to persist, and ensure support for survivors.”
“Mr. Speaker, I would simply like to ask my colleague whether she believes that seniors' benefits remain the most important social program in the federal budget, ahead of the Canada health transfer and the Canada child benefit. This is an important part of Canada's transfer system and the benefit system for our seniors. Also, are seniors not happy to now have access to the Canadian dental care plan?”
“Mr. Speaker, the member opposite asked a question earlier about what the federal government was going to do to eliminate interprovincial trade barriers. There is good news, since the federal government, with the support of the opposition, removed federal interprovincial trade barriers by Canada Day this year. As of just six days ago, tens of thousands of goods across Canada's 14 jurisdictions will soon be freely traded after an agreement was signed between all provinces, territories and the federal government to allow businesses to sell their products across Canada. It is called the Canadian mutual recognition agreement, and I think that is fantastic. Would you thank your premier for me, because I think it is great?”