Jim Bélanger
Sudbury East—Manitoulin—Nickel Belt, Ontario · Conservative · Canada
“Mr. Speaker, as a tradesman himself, my hon. friend knows the importance of hands-on experience. With so much discussion about the Red Seal program and Bill C-30 , would he speak to how essential access to jobs is for apprentices to complete their training and succeed in skilled trades?”
“Mr. Speaker, summer is on the way, and in Sudbury East—Manitoulin—Nickel Belt, that means agricultural fairs and vibrant community celebrations, such as Valley East Days, the Verner Ram Rodeo and the Massey Fair.”
“Mr. Speaker, I would like to say that the area I come from, the Sudbury area, has actually become a pretty major Ontario film hub over the last 10 to 15 years, namely for Shoresy , which is a spinoff of Letterkenny . How does my colleague think this increase in tax will impact our communities and what damage might it do?”
“Mr. Speaker, while the Liberal government claims the economy is growing, young Canadians are being left behind. Youth unemployment has risen to 14.3%, nearly double the national rate, and young people across northern Ontario are struggling to find work and build a future.”
“Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister was elected on the premise that he was the man. Well, it seems that the man with the plan has disappeared. The Liberal government has been on the sidelines for far too long, failing to secure a single reduction on tariffs, while North Ontarians continue to lose both patience and jobs.”
“Mr. Speaker, tariffs on softwood lumber have tripled to 45%. Now hundreds of workers in Nairn Centre and Gogama are facing indefinite sawmill shutdowns, leaving families in real uncertainty. Workers in my riding whose jobs rely on free trade with the U.S. need real action now.”
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“Madam Speaker, hard-working folks in northern Ontario are once again facing uncertainty. The Gogama sawmill in my riding has shut down for two weeks. When it reopens, it will be reduced to one shift. The Prime Minister promised to negotiate a win with the United States. It is no win. It is tariffs tripling to 45% and a broken promise for softwood lumber. Our communities deserve better than empty promises. When will the Prime Minister stop selling out our forestry workers—”
“Mr. Speaker, after years of talk, the Liberals continue to break their promise to get shovels in the ground when it comes to the Ring of Fire. Thousands of jobs and billions of dollars are at stake, yet the Prime Minister refuses to move this important project along. The Liberals ignored this vital project on their national priority list, which was a huge slap in the face to northern Ontario. Will the Liberals stop breaking their promise and get shovels in the ground now, so our region can get to work?”
“Mr. Speaker, Canada now has the fastest-shrinking economy in the G7 and the second-highest unemployment rate. It is looking worse for lumber and mill workers in northern Ontario. The Prime Minister promised to negotiate a win, but softwood lumber workers are being sold out with no deal. Why is the Prime Minister breaking his promise and selling out Canadian mill workers?”
“Mr. Speaker, as we have seen, there are a lot of regulations among provinces that are very different, and they all need to come together. I am not sure how the Liberal government would get that done, because we have seen in the past that it takes it a while to admit that it got things wrong, as it did with immigration. The Liberals said it took them a while to figure that out and that they did not quite get it right. Conservatives want Canada to compete and achieve true economic and energy security. That means shovel-ready—”
“Mr. Speaker, as my hon. colleague said, the bill is an admission that Liberal laws are barriers to development. The way to unleash Canadian resources is to remove antidevelopment laws that block projects, such as Bill C-69 , Bill C-48 , the oil and gas cap and the industrial carbon tax.”
“Mr. Speaker, I would say to my colleague opposite that it is nice to hear the Liberals copying policies from the Conservatives, but it is not going far enough. We would like to do more, a lot more. What the Liberals announced is a baby step, not a breakthrough, even though the Prime Minister said himself that Canada is in a crisis.”
“In conclusion, Canada needs giant steps. Bill C-5 is a baby step that would not completely address the issues that have been created by the totally misguided policies of the Liberal government over the last decade.”
“Private sector companies need certainty, and the fact that this bill would sunset or be reviewed in five years does not give them the long-term certainty they are looking for. If companies are going to invest billions of dollars and create jobs, wealth and prosperity for the people of Canada, they need to know what the government is doing long-term. Conservatives have long been advocating for the following measures to achieve energy security and a strong economy. We need shovel-ready economic zones. We need to scrap the cap on oil and gas, repeal Bill C-69 and Bill C-48 , axe the industrial carbon tax and remove unrealistic and punitive electricity regulations. If the Liberal government is serious about standing up for Canada and not having us totally reliant on the U.S., then it will do all of these things.”
“We could very well face a situation where there would be a high degree of political interference by Liberal insiders and decisions made on ideological grounds instead of what is good for the economy and the people of Canada. There must be openness and transparency in this process. For instance, Liberals claim they will ensure consultation with indigenous people, but there is no definition of what that means or how that process would unfold. On this side of the House, our shadow critics have argued that the bill could be simplified by broadly eliminating project-blocking laws rather than creating exemptions. The elimination of Bill C-69 and Bill C-48 would be a good start. They could also look at removing the industrial carbon tax, which would help industries invest in new environmental technologies and growth.”
“I also have some concerns that the bill would empower the federal government to issue a single authorization document covering multiple permits, but it has not laid out a concrete timeline in the bill. There has been no discussion or list of what projects would be deemed as nation-building projects. Who would have input into this list? What would be the criteria to demand a nation-building project? One of my biggest concerns is that the bill would give a tremendous amount of power to the ministers' offices and the Prime Minister 's Office. We have all seen what can happen when too much power is put in the hands of a few Liberal ministers and the Prime Minister's Office.”
“Energy security and economic competitiveness in the global market, especially in the mining industry, are critical to the future of our communities. We have all heard people speak about the vast resources of the Ring of Fire. The Ring of Fire is a massive mineral deposit that contains many components crucial to our modern industries, billions of dollars of minerals beneath our feet that could improve the living standards for all of northern Ontario, including indigenous people. The people of my riding would greatly benefit from the Ring of Fire project. Would the Ring of Fire be deemed a nation-building project? The people of northern Ontario deserve to know this.”
“These barriers exist in virtually every industry. Alcohol, dairy and many agricultural products are subject to these barriers. For instance, some products need to be inspected when they enter a province, even though they were previously inspected in their province of origin. It is these types of regulations that end up costing producers, and ultimately consumers, more money. (1755) Part 2 of the bill, the building Canada act, focuses on fast-tracking nation-building infrastructure projects, such as pipelines, power lines and renewable energy initiatives. By streamlining federal government processes, the bill aims to reduce approval timelines from five years to two years. This part of the bill is particularly significant for my riding and across northern Ontario.”
“Although I support the notion that all Canadians should be able to ply their trade in any province, the devil is in the details. The Liberal government has not laid out how we are to achieve these goals. How will it get all provinces to sign on to these changes? The bill itself does not lay out the plan to achieve these goals of labour mobility. Will the bill, which allows labour mobility, stand up to legal challenges from provinces and other stakeholders who may not want to see this type of policy implemented? I am not sure the government knows the answer to that question. I also want to take a minute to discuss the free movement of goods and products between provinces. Provinces have a combined total of about 600 professional credentialing bodies that regulate goods and services within their borders.”
“Barriers ranging from differing provincial regulations to restrictions on labour mobility have created disadvantages in our markets, making it harder for goods, services and workers to move freely across provincial and territorial lines. These barriers cannot continue if we are to compete in international markets today. For example, skilled Canadian workers, some who have decades of experience and training, are prevented from working in their fields from province to province. These types of regulations need to stop if we are to grow our economy and improve our productivity. Bill C-5 should be a practical step toward streamlining trade and enhancing labour mobility, which could boost productivity and competitiveness in Canada.”
“We have seen the Liberal government, time after time, introduce policies and programs that it claimed would help the economy, and instead, they had the opposite effect. I must say that I share that view. Bill C-5 should be a step toward economic growth and prosperity for all northern Ontarians, including indigenous people, but I do not have a lot of confidence that the Liberals will get this right. The Liberal government's approach to this issue raises important questions about balance. Let us explore a few of its key components and the broader context it aims to address. Part 1 of Bill C-5 is designed to create one Canadian economy out of 13. Canada's economy has long been hampered by interprovincial trade barriers, which cost our economy approximately $200 billion per year in lost economic growth.”
“Mr. Speaker, I will be splitting my time with my colleague, the member for Souris—Moose Mountain . I stand today to discuss Bill C-5 , the one Canadian economy act, a piece of legislation introduced on June 6. The free trade and labour mobility in Canada act and the building canada act seek to unify Canada's economy by removing barriers to interprovincial trade and expediting major infrastructure projects. The bill has generated a tremendous amount of feedback from the residents of Sudbury East—Manitoulin—Nickel Belt. I have received dozens of emails from people concerned that the government will manage to turn this initiative from something it claims would be good for northern Ontario into a mess.”
“Mr. Speaker, after 10 years of Liberals, Canada's pipelines are more clogged than a kitchen sink, thanks to anti-energy laws like Bill C-69 , the “no new pipelines” law, the job-killing production cap and the industrial carbon tax. Our energy industry is struggling. Investment has fled, and companies will not build under these conditions. Will the Prime Minister finally scrap this anti-energy agenda so we can sell to our allies and bring home bigger Canadian paycheques?”
“Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister said he wants to be held to account for what Canadians are paying at the grocery store, so let us do just that. Families in northern Ontario are struggling because of rising prices. Since the start of 2025, grocery prices in Canada have increased rapidly. The Prime Minister promised to cap government spending at 2%. Instead, he is increasing it by 8%. Will the Liberals table a budget that reverses their inflationary policies so Canadians can afford to put food on the table?”
“Madam Speaker, the carbon tax did indeed have a major impact on our region. I would like to thank my colleague for addressing the issue of French in our region, because we need to protect the French language.”
“Madam Speaker, yes, people in our part of the province are very glad to see the consumer carbon tax gone. That is really bringing expenses down. If the industrial carbon tax is not removed as well though, that cost will be passed on to consumers in the region and it is going to hurt. That is why all carbon taxes have to be removed.”
“However, this Bloc Québécois motion is nothing more than theatrics and will only serve to divide Canadians at a time when we should be coming together. I guess that is their goal. This is what happens when politicians focus more on appearances than results. In Sudbury East—Manitoulin—Nickel Belt, people are not asking for more bureaucracy, more cheques or more discount games. Let us start building a government that works for everyone, in every province, with the same respect and the same accountability. I thank the House for its attention.”
“I would also like to remind the House that, even before I was a member of Parliament, I remember that the Bloc Québécois voted against all Conservative opposition motions to repeal the carbon tax. The people in my riding will not accept that either. The Bloc Québécois will realize that the province of Quebec has done very well with Canadian taxpayers. Every year, the Government of Quebec already receives $29 billion in transfer payments from the rest of Canada. It receives $13.6 billion through equalization, $11.9 billion through health transfers and $3.8 billion through Canada social transfers. Canadians are generous and compassionate people who believe in sharing the wealth of our great country.”
“Sudbury East—Manitoulin—Nickel Belt is a region where affordability is no longer a distant political concern, but rather a daily crisis that hits families at the gas pump, in the grocery store and in their monthly heating bills. We are here today to debate a Bloc Québécois motion that raises real concerns about fairness, transparency and the use of taxpayers' money. While we do not share the goals of the Bloc Québécois, I do believe that we can agree on one thing: Regardless of their province, Canadian taxpayers deserve a government that respects their contributions and treats them fairly. This is not about fairness or principles; it is simply a matter of policy.”
“However, many might be surprised to learn that northern Ontario has a significant agricultural industry as well. There are approximately 700 farming operations in the area, ranging from cattle and dairy to cash crop operations that produce high-quality products for Canadians. We also have a thriving tourism industry that draws tens of thousands of people every year from around the world to enjoy the beauty and majesty of our land. We have camping, hiking, snowmobiling, fishing and hunting. Our region is also home to some of the best fall agricultural fairs in the country. [ Translation ] I will now turn to the Bloc Québécois opposition motion.”
“The people in my riding are as diverse as its geography. We have people from all backgrounds, starting with the proud indigenous people. Their knowledge and traditions are a crucial part of our communities. I look forward to developing strong relationships with them. Like many other Canadian communities, many residents of our riding are descendants of European immigrants, families just like mine, hard-working Franco-Ontarians who came to Canada generations ago in search of a better life. The people of northern Ontario are skilled and resourceful people who work in the industries that drive Canada's economy. Forestry, mining and the support services that supply these industries are some of the major drivers of the economy in northern Ontario.”
“Canadian unity is as important as ever. My great-grandparents, Joe and Azilda Bélanger, left Saint-André-Avellin in search of a better life in Ontario in 1886. Azilda was the first pioneer woman to settle in the village of Rayside, which is now part of the city of Sudbury and was renamed Azilda in her honour in 1901. L'écho d'un peuple, the theatrical extravaganza that retells the story of 400 years of French culture, paid tribute to her in one of the scenes. I still live on the same land that was cleared by my grandfather. [ English ] For those who are not familiar with the geography of the riding, let me say this: It is big. It stretches from West Nipissing north to Mattagami, south to the French River and then west along the Trans-Canada Highway to the edge of the town of Spanish and the entirety of beautiful Manitoulin Island.”
“Their hard work was instrumental to the success of the campaign. My wonderful wife of 35 years, Sylvie, makes me the best version of myself. If not for her and her love and support, I would not be standing in this place today. My thanks go to Sylvie. My three children, Shanel, Jesse and Carly, make me the proudest dad on earth. I love them all. Their generation and the next generation are the reasons I decided to participate in this election. I believe that becoming a member of Parliament for the Conservative Party of Canada will enable me to make a difference. (1115) [ Translation ] I am very proud to be francophone. It is a culture that must be preserved. There are over one million francophones outside the beautiful province of Quebec. I encourage Quebec to think about solutions rather than separation.”
“Madam Speaker, I will be sharing my time with the member for Mégantic—L'Érable—Lotbinière . It is an honour and a privilege to rise in this House and deliver my first remarks as a newly elected member of Parliament for the riding of Sudbury East—Manitoulin—Nickel Belt. Please allow me a few minutes to acknowledge the individuals who helped me make this possible. First, I would like to thank all the constituents of Sudbury East—Manitoulin—Nickel Belt for their support and for putting their trust in me. A heartfelt “thank you” goes to the incredible volunteers who, under the direction of my campaign manager, Diane Suski, worked tirelessly to get me here today. I was overwhelmed by the support from family, friends and even people I had never met. From all regions of the riding, they believed in hope and change.”
“Mr. Speaker, last week the Liberal government tabled a $486-billion spending bill. The Prime Minister promised during the election that he would govern Canada with a new fiscal discipline. It seems as though we have a case of meet the new boss, just the same as the old boss. While many people in northern Ontario struggle to make ends meet with the ever-increasing costs of everyday life, the Liberals do not get it. They seem to talk a good game of fiscal restraint, but talk is cheap, unlike the cost of living. The Prime Minister 's first bill would do nothing to ease the burden of skyrocketing mortgage payments, groceries and energy. Instead, it would increase government spending by 8%, including a 36% increase for consultants. When will the Liberals put the interests of everyday Canadians ahead of their well-connected insiders in Ottawa?”