Jacques Gourde
Lévis—Lotbinière, Quebec · Conservative · Canada
“Mr. Speaker, really, this Prime Minister is nothing but an illusion. A banker is supposed to be good with numbers, yet here is the Prime Minister's track record: every family will be spending an extra $1,000 on groceries in 2026, business capital investment has fallen for five consecutive quarters, and Canada has the second-highest unempl…”
“Mr. Speaker, delays in the delivery of support ships for the Canadian Navy have been growing longer for years. Meanwhile, the Liberals are threatening to end the lease agreement for the MV Asterix , which is in perfect condition. Does the Liberal government intend to renew the lease or purchase the MV Asterix ?”
“Mr. Speaker, the Alto train is not a gift. It places a perpetual burden on the backs of future generations. Yesterday, the Minister of Transport opened the door to the possibility of cost overruns, so the minister is prepared for it to cost far more than $90 billion and far exceed its budget.”
“Mr. Speaker, if the minister believes that this project is sound, he should go and meet with farmers himself to explain the expropriations. Experts are unanimous: This ideologically motivated project is completely irresponsible when it comes to our public finances. There is no evidence that it will be cost-effective.”
“Mr. Speaker, hundreds of people gathered on Parliament Hill today to make their voices heard about the Alto train, which is threatening the survival of our communities. These people included many farmers facing the prospect of not being able to cross their land because of the Liberal government's threat to split it in two.”
“Madam Speaker, I would like to give my esteemed colleague the opportunity to tell me how people in Mirabel are feeling. The government told them that a high-speed rail project is going to cut right through their farmland. It did not offer much in the way of explanation.”
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“When they buy a house, they know it is an investment, of course, but that does not change the fact that they will have to pay for it, that the mortgage has to be reasonable and that their income has to keep pace. This government, however, acts as though money grows on the trees behind the Parliament buildings. It refuses to acknowledge that today's choices have a real, tangible and unavoidable impact on tomorrow's taxpayers. I am not alone in calling out this creative accounting. The Parliamentary Budget Officer, Jason Jacques, whom the Liberals want to send packing and whom I commend for his impartiality and rigour, expressed the major concerns he has. His report on the budget recommends establishing an independent expert body to determine what might reasonably be considered an investment expenditure according to objective criteria.”
“Its latest gimmick is separating operational spending from so-called investment spending so it can claim that it will be able to balance the budget one day in some imaginary future. In other words, it decided that part of what it spends is no longer spending. By changing the way the math works, it magically made the state of Canada's public finances appear less catastrophic than it really is. This is what we call creative accounting, but it is so creative that it may eventually create problems for the Liberals. Canadians do not have that luxury. Canadian households do not have that privilege. When a family makes a budget, they do not have the freedom to decide that certain expenses do not count. They have to live within their means.”
“The projected deficit for this year is $78.3 billion. That is the largest in Canadian history, not counting the massive pandemic-era deficits. Here again, the Liberals' projections are usually about as reliable as the weather forecast for a month from now. Cost overruns have become a tradition, if not a Liberal hallmark. The amounts they announce are astronomical to begin with, but Canadians know that, as usual, they will balloon even more. Every billion adds to the burden on future generations and, while the Liberals continue with their wasteful spending, it is our children and grandchildren who will have to foot the bill. In an attempt to conceal the scope of the problem, the government has come up with some new accounting sleight of hand.”
“Madam Speaker, I rise in the House today to speak to Bill C-15 , the budget implementation act, a document that should reflect the government's true priorities and stand as an exercise in rigour, transparency and accountability. Once again, sadly, that is not what we have before us. The budget is traditionally tabled in the spring. This year, in a completely unwarranted move, the Liberals decided to table it in the fall. They promised a fresh start, a new way of doing things. They even pilfered a few Conservative ideas to try to pretty up their plan and make it more appealing to voters. With the Liberals, however, the more things change, the more they stay the same. This budget does not offer a fresh start. It is just a continuation of the past 10 years of out-of-control spending, chronic deficits and haphazard management.”
“Mr. Speaker, that makes absolutely no difference to the tens of thousands of steel, auto and softwood lumber workers who have lost their jobs because of the Liberal government's tariff failures. Canadian businesses are asking for an agreement with the United States to ensure predictable revenues. Why is it that every time the Prime Minister travels to warmer climes, the tariffs go up and Canadians are left footing the bill?”
“Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister is acting like a real tourist. In his first eight months as Prime Minister, he has taken 28 trips on a private jet and covered enough kilometres to circle the globe four times. However, he has no agreements or meaningful results to show for it, just good intentions and photo ops on the taxpayers' dime. Why is it that every time the Prime Minister boards a plane to meet foreign leaders, Canadians end up paying even higher tariffs?”
“Mr. Speaker, I listened to my colleague's speech. It was very interesting. I noticed that in 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021, there was full employment among young people. Now, the further we get into 2025 and almost 2026, the fewer jobs there are for young people. The youth unemployment rate is on the rise. Did he notice the same thing? In other words, did he notice a decline in youth employment? Does he have any solutions? Has the government perhaps failed in its duty to young people in Canada?”
“Madam Speaker, manufacturing companies throughout the greater Chaudière-Appalaches region, including Armoires Bernier in Lévis, are being stifled by 25% U.S. export tariffs. On January 1, those tariffs are going to double to 50%. The U.K. has 10% tariffs. The European Union and Japan are at 15%. Canada's situation is outrageous. Canadian companies cannot cut into their profit margins indefinitely. The Prime Minister promised an agreement with the Americans. Why did he break his promise?”
“Mr. Speaker, while Canadians are struggling, it is bonus after bonus for Liberal elites and insiders. Executives at the Business Development Bank of Canada each received an average of $216,000 in bonuses. Via Rail executives each received $110,000 in bonuses. Export Development Canada executives each received $143,000 in bonuses. The Prime Minister is asking young people to make sacrifices, but not his buddies. Will this Prime Minister stop asking young Canadians to make sacrifices only to line the pockets of his cronies?”
“Mr. Speaker, inflation rose by 3.3% in Quebec in September. That increase is the result of hidden taxes, such as the industrial carbon tax, the food packaging taxes and the clean fuel regulations. These will lower Canada's real GDP by $9 billion between now and 2030. Is the former governor of the Bank of Canada turning into the Prime Minister of the bankruptcy of Canada?”
“Mr. Speaker, we learned this morning that the Prime Minister delivers only 17% of his speeches in French. When I had the honour of being part of the previous Conservative government, all speeches began in French. Today, the Leader of the Opposition prioritizes French in his speeches. This is not England. Is the Prime Minister aware that French is also a language of business in Canada and around the world?”
“Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for her very interesting question. Unfortunately, today, when we ask city children where milk comes from, they say it comes from the corner store. Although this example might be a little simplistic, it reflects the reality. We really need to educate all Canadians. Unfortunately, just 1% of all Canadians are feeding the entire population of Canada. The next generation interested in pursuing this occupation with dignity will face a huge challenge. Now is the time to give this issue our attention if we hope to avoid hitting a wall in the next 15 years.”
“Mr. Speaker, I am going to talk about my extensive experience in agriculture. I started helping my dad when I was just four years old. In my opinion, transportation plays an enormous part in the farm-to-table journey, whether in terms of ordering inputs or getting the food to consumers. Transportation costs are one of the main factors affecting food prices, and the price of gas has an important impact on transportation costs. The more gas prices go up, the greater the multiplier effect, making costs 25 or 30 times higher, depending on the stage of the process. Lowering transportation costs will definitely lower food costs.”
“Mr. Speaker, it is rather interesting to hear the comments of a Liberal who has let pretty much the entire planet come to Canada over the past 10 years, who has brought many refugees here. We have really exceeded our capacity to take in all of these people and, of course, we need to take care of them too. The temporary foreign worker program will undoubtedly be around for a long time. It will no doubt be changed and could be replaced. However, we are going to ensure that our farmers are able to get the workers they need, given that they represent only 1% of the population.”
“In closing, I want to thank the entire agricultural sector and all the hard-working women and men in this industry. It is my hope that they will be allowed to continue their work in peace. The Conservative Party of Canada will always be the party of farmers, and we will ensure, to the extent that our nation's finances allow, that farmers can keep plying their trade with the same passion for generations to come.”
“They have innovated and invested in high-potential machinery technologies, but they still have to work countless hours to successfully support their businesses. During peak production times, they work between 75 and 95 hours per week. These individuals often get little rest and have to sacrifice their precious time, including time with their families, to support their businesses and feed Canadians. We owe them our deepest gratitude, and I hope that Canadians will give farmers the respect they deserve. If there is a farmer in the area who has a farm stand, I want Canadians to support them by buying produce directly from the farm. This gesture is greatly appreciated by the farmers and provides them with extra income to help them get through the more financially difficult months.”
“I would now like to take a few moments to speak to a very big concern I have about agriculture in Canada. I worked in agriculture all my life, ever since I was a young man. A very high percentage of the population at that time was passionate about farming and also had the opportunity to work in agriculture. Over the years, that percentage has declined significantly, to the point where only 1% of the Canadian population now owns farms in Canada. This is a tiny percentage, given the enormous responsibility these individuals bear. These people are passionate about their work, but the entire mental and financial burden of owning Canada's agricultural heritage falls on just 1% of the population. That said, these people are doing an exceptional job.”
“Far from actually helping the environment, all it does is make life more difficult for grocers, who have to worry about alternative packaging. All of these laws are directly reflected in food prices. Here are some striking examples. Food inflation in Canada is up 3.24% over last year. Food inflation is now 70% above the target. Meat prices are up 7.62%, after a 4.7% increase in July alone. Fresh and frozen beef are up 12.7%, and processed meat is up 5.3%. Coffee is up 27.9%, and infant formula is up 6.6%. Canadians are struggling. Their paycheques are being eaten up by these price increases. However, the Liberals are still imposing their philosophy of centralizing, regulating and taxing everything instead of leaving all the power in the hands of the people closest to production.”
“Farmers contribute to Canada's food security. If we want to encourage the next generation of farmers, it is important to give that 1% all the flexibility they need to produce our food. The Liberal Prime Minister played a trick on us when he claimed he had axed the carbon tax. There is still a hidden carbon tax. It is the industrial carbon tax, which applies directly to farm machinery and fertilizers used in the fields. Just like the former carbon tax, it directly affects the price of food by punishing work at the source. Few farmers can do without fertilizer to fertilize their land. The government is still taxing this essential item, however, and that is directly reflected in food prices. On top of this, the Liberals are on a green crusade against plastics of all kinds.”
“As a farmer myself, I know that producers want to feed the world. That said, obstacles and excessive taxes prevent them from offering good quality products at low cost. Consumers are the ones paying the price. Food should never be a luxury. I was talking to other producers who explained to me that one of the problems they face is red tape, those unnecessary regulations that set arbitrary rules or formal standards that are seen as excessive, rigid and redundant. This is what we have come to expect from the Liberal government over the past 10 years. That is why, at times, producers say that, far from being the solution, the government is sometimes the problem. (1130) A hundred years ago, seven out of 10 people were farmers. Today, only 1% of the population works in agriculture, and that percentage keeps dropping.”
“As I said earlier this week in the House, the Prime Minister's honeymoon is over. I think all indicators show that this is true. This Liberal government will be no different from those that came before it. Food inflation is 70% higher than the Bank of Canada's projections. Food prices have increased 40% since the Liberals came to power. Now, let us talk about solutions, which are readily available and on the table. We invite the Liberals to have the courage to copy our ideas, as usual. Here is what we want. That...the House call on the Liberal Prime Minister to stop taxing food by eliminating: (a) the industrial carbon tax on fertilizer and farm equipment; (b) the inflation tax (money-printing deficits); (c) carbon tax two (the so-called clean fuel standard); and (d) the food packaging tax (plastic ban and packaging requirements).”
“This is not surprising given that, during the eleventh-hour Liberal leadership race to replace Justin Trudeau, he was the only one who could not say what the average Canadian family spent on groceries. I would even suggest that he is one of the few Canadians who has not felt the pinch of rising costs across the board. He is a former head banker who, unlike a growing number of Canadians, does not have to get his meals from a food bank. The Daily Bread Food Bank expects four million visits in 2025, twice as many as prepandemic levels. This represents a 142% increase in food bank use compared to 2015, when a Conservative government, of which I was honoured to be a part, left the Liberals with a strong, proud, free and prosperous Canada. It is sad to see what they have done with it.”
“Without all those people, I might have gotten discouraged, but in life, like in farming, we reap what we sow. I had always gone out of my way to support others, but this time, other people supported me. I will always be grateful to them for that. I might have been tempted to retire, but my mission here in the House is not yet accomplished. My mission is to do my utmost to help the people in my riding and make their lives better. That has always been my purpose in politics, and I want to keep pursuing that purpose. I rise today to speak to the motion moved by the hon. member for Foothills regarding the Prime Minister 's failures. The Liberal Prime Minister said he would be judged by the cost of groceries. If he still wants to be judged by that standard, the verdict is clear: He has failed.”
“Mr. Speaker, I will be sharing my time with my colleague from Prince Albert . I am very pleased to rise in the House today back in good health. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the people of Lévis—Lotbinière for once again renewing their trust in me for this 45th Parliament. It was truly a very special election for me. Every election is special, but I will remember this one since I had to undergo radiation every day of the campaign. That said, I need to sincerely thank my entire family, my wife Chantal, my children and grandchildren who kept my spirits up during this ordeal. I also want to thank all the health care professionals at the Lévis cancer centre for providing me with such good care. Finally, I want to thank my entire team, who held down the fort while I was away having treatment.”
“Mr. Speaker, our seniors are suffering in silence from financial insecurity. They are going hungry, too. They are suffering due to exorbitant rents and the unexpected costs of illness. The Prime Minister cannot even imagine the situation from his ivory tower. Inflation is eating all their savings. When will the Liberal Prime Minister take action? A Prime Minister has the duty to keep both feet on the ground. The Prime Minister's honeymoon is over now.”
“Mr. Speaker, no one should go without food. This week the media reported the story of seniors who have to skip meals in order to make ends meet. Unfortunately, that is what a growing number of Canadian households are experiencing, hit hard by food inflation levels twice that of general inflation after 10 years of Liberal rule. Food banks are no longer meeting demand, and by skipping a meal a day, seniors can cut one last item from their budgets. Is the Prime Minister aware of the financial insecurity of seniors?”
“Mr. Speaker, it seems to me that the Liberal government has managed to create a crisis to deflect from the real crises we are facing when it comes to inflation, debt and crime. None of these are being talked about. Has my colleague from the Bloc fallen into the Liberals' trap by playing their game instead of talking about the reality Canadians are facing? We are going to spend all week talking about what we are talking about today.”
“Madam Speaker, we are faced with a Liberal government that is currently trying to create a crisis, and that is really very disappointing. I would like to ask my Bloc Québécois colleague a somewhat technical question. Does the time-limited nature of the notwithstanding clause help protect the Constitution as a whole?”
“This month, let us think of those who are fighting and those we have lost, and above all, let us commit to talking openly about men's health.”
“Mr. Speaker, September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. This disease affects more than 27,000 men each year in Canada. Earlier this year, I was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Like many men, I did not expect it. It came as a shock, but thanks to early detection, an extraordinary medical team and the unwavering support of my family, I was able to undergo effective treatment. Now, I am in remission. I consider myself extremely fortunate, but the reality is that too many men ignore the signs or avoid seeking medical advice out of embarrassment, fear or simple neglect. I would encourage all men to take note of this for their next doctor's appointment. I urge them to determine whether they should take the screening test that saves lives, that saved my life.”
“Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister said Canadians would judge him by the prices they see at the grocery store. The results are in, and he is getting a failing grade. The latest figures on food inflation from Food Banks Canada do not lie. Grocery shopping is getting harder and harder for Canadians. Food prices have risen by 3.5%, which is 70% above the inflation target. Beef prices are up 33%, canned soup is up 26%, and coffee is up 22%. For Liberal Canada, all indicators are flashing red. Food should never be a luxury for Canadian families. Since the Liberals came to power, food inflation has risen by 40% overall. Far from making life cheaper, they have made it more expensive for everyone. This is another broken Liberal promise, another Liberal bait and switch. Only the Conservatives can make groceries affordable again.”
“Mr. Speaker, I listened carefully to my colleague's speech, especially the part where he talked about the services we need to provide to our constituents in relation to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, or IRCC, that is, gathering information about people who come to our offices looking for information about their immigration status, temporary foreign worker status or other status. Does my colleague think that the government should assign even more people to work in our offices so that we can respond more quickly to our constituents? We have waiting lists that are sometimes extremely long.”