Wayne Long
Saint John—Kennebecasis, New Brunswick · Liberal · Canada
“Mr. Speaker, that is from a party whose leader actually called middle-class housing shacks and co-op housing Soviet-style. He has members who mocked modular housing, and that leader actually had the audacity to tell his members not to advocate for housing accelerator funds that would have helped housing construction in their ridings.”
“Mr. Speaker, I have breaking news. The Parliamentary Budget Officer just confirmed that low-income Canadians will get over $2,200 through automatic tax filing. That is for 5.5 million Canadians. It will mean $350 million for Canadians in benefits over the next five years.”
“moved: Motion That, notwithstanding any standing order or usual practice of the House, Bill C-22, An Act respecting lawful access, be disposed of as follows: (a) it be an instruction to the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security that, during its consideration of the bill, (i) the committee shall meet, within one hour af…”
“Mr. Speaker, I have had the privilege of actually running small businesses in the economy, not like the Conservative leader who has never worked a day outside of this House. Sometimes a small business or a government is faced with challenges or headwinds, and they can do one of two things.”
“Madam Speaker, I thank the member opposite for her advocacy on behalf of Canadians, although I do not agree. We are here with an agenda to deliver for Canadians. We are here to rebuild, refocus, diversify our trading partners and build new trade relationships. We are here to deliver affordability for Canadians.”
“Madam Speaker, it is hard to believe that we are in our 11th year in this great place advocating on behalf of Canadians. We remember the last Parliament. We remember how it was bogged down and obstructed. We could not move forward for Canadians. We could not move forward with legislation. I come from the private sector.”
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“Mr. Speaker, while the Conservatives are focused on a revolting caucus, we are laser-focused on Canadians. On November 4, we are going to table a generational budget. We are going to invest in Canada. We are going to invest in Canadians. We are going to build. We are going to invest in infrastructure, defence, housing, aerospace and national projects. On this side of the House, we believe in Canada. I ask the party opposite to cut the rhetoric and support our budget on November 4. Some hon. members: Oh, oh!”
“Mr. Speaker, I have great news for Conservatives. We have a way to help 5.5 million Canadians with the cost of food: automatic federal benefits. Through budget 2025, we are going to prefile taxes for up to 5.5 million Canadians. This will ensure that Canadians get the benefits they are entitled to. On November 4, the party opposite has a choice to make: Will it let the most vulnerable Canadians get these federal benefits or block the cheques and force a Christmas election?”
“Mr. Speaker, while the party opposite is focused on imaginary taxes, we are focused on real tax cuts, cutting taxes for 22 million Canadians and cutting the GST for first-time homebuyers. Interest rates are going down. We are moving forward with initiatives like the school food program and the personal support workers tax credit. We are focused on affordability for Canadians. I wish the party opposite would stop the rhetoric, get on board and support our budget on November 4.”
“Mr. Speaker, while the party opposite is focused on its leader and what he said last week, we are laser-focused on Canadians. On November 4, we are going to table a generational budget. We are going to invest in Canadians. We are going to invest in Canada, and we are going to build. We are going to invest in infrastructure, defence and housing. We believe in Canada. I ask the party opposite to support our budget on November 4.”
“Mr. Speaker, abuse of the tax system is illegal, and the CRA takes enforcement action when instances of abuse are identified. While we cannot comment on matters before the courts, Canadians can be assured that the CRA is maintaining the integrity of the tax system and preventing misuse of sensitive data. Canada's new government is committed to working with the CRA to continue to strengthen the integrity of our tax system and protect taxpayer dollars.”
“Mr. Speaker, while the party opposite's leader and that party are clearly out of control, we are focused on this side on what we can control. We are going to make generational investments to change our economy from reliance to resilience. On November 4, we are going to table a budget that will invest in Canada. We are going to build Canada because we believe in Canada.”
“Mr. Speaker, it is hard to listen to the party opposite talk about affordability when they voted against every single affordability measure this government has put forward. Whether it is the Canada child benefit; day care; the school food program, which is not “garbage”; or housing, we are focused on making things affordable for Canadians. We are cutting taxes for 22 million Canadians. We are cutting the GST for first-time homebuyers. On this side of the House, we believe in supporting the most vulnerable in our society. They do not.”
“Mr. Speaker, I am right here. Canadians deserve timely and accurate service from the CRA; there is no question about that. However, we have good news. We have instituted a 100-day plan. Service levels and access are up; upwards of 83% of calls are answered within 15 minutes. We are laser-focused on the CRA's delivering good service for Canadians, and that is what we are going to do.”
“Mr. Speaker, we accept the Auditor General's report, and we will learn from that, but let me be very clear: There were 167 calls made by the Auditor General; the CRA has made 100,000 calls, and we have upward of 90% of calls answered accurately. We will improve. We will continue to learn. We will continue to provide a CRA that is responsive to Canadians.”
“Mr. Speaker, while the Conservatives are in damage control mode, we are in build mode. On November 4, we are going to table a generational budget, we are going to invest in Canada, we are going to build at a scale not seen since the Second World War and we are going to invest in infrastructure and national projects. We believe in Canada. We will build Canada's economy into the strongest economy in the G7. I ask the party opposite to come out of the shadows and support our budget.”
“Mr. Speaker, do members know what youth of this country want? They want a leader who does not spin conspiracy theories, attack democratic institutions and suggest that other leaders be jailed. On November 4, we are going to table a generational budget. We are going to invest in Canada and build Canada. I suggest the leader opposite sacrifice his ego, put the rhetoric aside and help us build Canada.”
“Mr. Speaker, let me be clear: The CRA is providing accurate information to Canadians in nearly all cases. The audit looked at a sample of 167 calls from last spring, before we launched our 100-day plan to fix our CRA service. The CRA reviews over 100,000 calls every year for accuracy and has found that more than 93% are accurate for inquiries related to taxpayer files. We are focused on delivering service for Canadians. We will get this right.”
“Mr. Speaker, Canadians deserve timely, reliable and accurate service from the CRA. That is why we thank the Auditor General for her report. Earlier this fall, we embarked upon a 100-day plan to strengthen service, improve access and eliminate unacceptable delays, and we have good news: Since the launch of the plan, CRA call centre service levels have more than doubled, with 89% of Canadians getting an answer within 15 minutes. The report will help the CRA build on significant service improvements it has made since September. It will also help guide our government to work—”
“Mr. Speaker, I thank the CRA for delivering Canadians great services such as the Canada child benefit and the disability tax credit. Where would Canadians be without the CRA delivering COVID benefits? Service levels need to improve. We accept the Auditor General's report. We will get this right. Service levels and access are improving. We have a lot more work to do, but we will deliver for Canadians.”
“Mr. Speaker, Canadians deserve timely, accurate and consistent information from the CRA. We accept the Auditor General's report. We have embarked on a 100-day plan. Service is improving. We have a long way to go. We are working with the leadership of the CRA. We will make it right. Canadians will get the service they deserve.”
“Mr. Speaker, I do not know where the party opposite has been, but we know where the Leader of the Opposition has been. He spent the last week peddling dangerous far-right conspiracy theories about law enforcement in our country. He should apologize. While the Leader of the Opposition has been attacking the rule of law, Canada's new government spent the last week announcing a new suite of affordability measures, measures to strengthen the rule of law, crack down on crime and keep Canadians safe. This will be included in our first budget. I urge Conservative MPs to speak up, stand up and call on the leader opposite to apologize.”
“Mr. Speaker, again, let us look at facts. Our economy is not shrinking; our economy grew. It added jobs. Interest rates are down, and inflation is within targeted rates. On November 4, we are going to table a budget. We are going to spend less. We are going invest more in capital projects. We are going to invest in nation-buiding projects, infrastructure and housing. We are going to build the strongest economy in the G7. We are not going to take any lessons from someone who has never worked in the economy.”
“Mr. Speaker, I know that the Conservative Party opposite has a hard time, but here are some facts. We have had 21 straight months in the targeted inflation rate from the Bank of Canada. Our economy grew jobs in September. We have the lowest debt in the G7. We have the lowest deficit in the G7. We have the lowest net debt-to-GDP in the G7. Our economy has had challenges, but it is strong and it is growing. Our Prime Minister was elected to build the strongest economy in the G7, and that is exactly what he is going to do.”
“Mr. Speaker, while the Conservative leader continues auditioning to be opposition leader, we are focused on building the strongest economy in the G7. Canadians, on April 28, had a clear choice between two leadership styles, one with world economic and business experience, the other having never worked a day outside the House. Canadians made a choice. They went with our side to build the strongest, most resilient economy in the G7 and that is exactly what we are going to do.”
“Mr. Speaker, I know the party opposite may not like this, but let us look at some facts. We have the strongest credit rating in the world with a AAA credit rating from S&P and Moody's, the lowest deficit in the G7, the lowest debt level in the G7, the lowest net debt-to-GDP in the G7 and the biggest potential in the G7. The leader opposite said he was going to bring it home. He did not bring home the election. He did not bring home his riding and half his party want to send him home.”
“Mr. Speaker, on November 4, we are going to table the most transformational budget in our country's history. We are going to spend less. We are going to invest more in nation-building projects, infrastructure and homes. We were elected on this side to strengthen our economy. We have a leader who is serious about the economy versus a leader who has never worked in the economy. We were elected to deliver for Canadians, and that is exactly what we are going to do.”
“Mr. Speaker, I do not know where the members opposite have been, but over the last week, we have announced a series of affordability measures, automatic tax filing and a school food program. We have cut taxes for 22 million Canadians; we have cut the GST for first-time homebuyers, and interest rates are down. We were elected on this side to build the strongest and most resilient economy in the G7, and that is exactly what we are going to do.”
“Mr. Speaker, we consider elections job interviews. Canadians looked at the resumé of our leader and that of the Leader of the Opposition ; it was not even close. Our leader has world-class business and economic experience, versus the Leader of the Opposition, who has none. On November 4, we will table a discipline budget. We will spend less; invest more in nation-building projects, in defence and infrastructure; and build houses on a scale not seen since the Second World War. We are tired of the rhetoric. The opposition should join us. Let us build Canada.”
“Mr. Speaker, the Conservative leader has been busy writing letters. We are busy cutting taxes; we have cut taxes for 22 million Canadians. We have cut the GST for first-time homebuyers. Interest rates have dropped. We are going to build homes at a pace not seen since the Second World War. I ask the party opposite to get on board, stop fighting our initiatives and support us.”
“Mr. Speaker, I do not know where the member opposite has been, but for the last four months, we have been crossing the country listening to Canadians and getting feedback from Canadians. On November 4, we will table a discipline budget that will spend less and invest more in Canada. We will build Canada's economy. We will become the strongest, most resilient economy in the G7. I ask the Conservative Party to cut the rhetoric and get on board.”
“Mr. Speaker, one cannot make this up. This is coming from a leader who has never had a job outside the House and who could not even negotiate with the member for Carleton to keep his seat. The world has changed, and we are going to change how we budget. On November 4, we are going to come forward with a discipline budget that is going to build. We are going to build and to invest in Canada. I ask the leader opposite to negotiate his way to finding a way to support us.”
“Mr. Speaker, the party opposite and its leader might have missed it because they were busy trying to get him re-elected, but our global economy has fundamentally changed. Canada needs to respond. That is why we are moving with a disciplined budget this fall to give provinces, municipalities, cities and businesses time for nation-building projects. It is so they can get ready for construction in the spring. Even the Parliamentary Budget Officer agrees with this move. It is time for the Conservative leader to get on board, stop the rhetoric and help build Canada.”
“Mr. Speaker, as we on this side go door to door, what we are hearing back from Canadians is crystal clear. Canadians chose. They compared a leader with world class experience to a leader who has never had a job outside the House of Commons. We stand with our Prime Minister . Canadians stand with our Prime Minister. We are going to build the strongest, most resilient economy in the G7 and make it an economy that Canadians can be proud of.”
“Mr. Speaker, while the Conservative leader was busy this summer trying to get back the only job he has ever had, we criss-crossed the country, listening to Canadians. We got feedback from Canadians. On November 4, we are going to table a disciplined budget that is going to spend less, invest more and create thousands and thousands of good-paying jobs. This is what a government that is going to build Canada strong looks like.”
“Mr. Speaker, when Canadians compared leaders, they had a choice between a world-class leader with world-class economic business experience versus a leader with none. On November 4, we are going to table a disciplined budget that is going to create jobs. If we want to talk about job creation, the only job the leader opposite has ever created was the one he left open for the member for Carleton in the last election.”
“Mr. Speaker, I do not know where the Conservatives have been for the last four months, but we have criss-crossed the country talking to, consulting with and listening to Canadians. Their message was resoundingly clear: They want us to spend less on government operations, invest more in nation-building projects and strengthen our economy, building the most resilient economy in the G7. Again, the Conservatives should please stop the rhetoric, join with us and get on board.”
“Mr. Speaker, on April 28, Canadians made a clear choice for a leader with business and economic experience versus a leader with none. We are laser focused on cutting taxes for 22 million Canadians. We are cutting taxes for first-time homebuyers. Interest rates are low, and we will build homes at a scale not seen since the Second World War. We will build the strongest economy in the G7. I ask Conservatives to cut the rhetoric and get on board.”
“Mr. Speaker, while the Conservative leader was busy trying to get the only job he ever had back, three months ago today we cut taxes for 22 million Canadians, and we are not stopping there. We are going to cut spending on government operations so we can invest more in nation-building projects, in housing, in infrastructure and in defence. We will create tens of thousands of good-paying jobs, and I ask the Conservatives to cut the rhetoric and get on board.”
“Mr. Speaker, on November 4, we are going to table a plan that is going to spend less in government operations so we can invest in our country. We are going to build and invest in nation-building projects. We are going to create and build the strongest economy in the G7. We believe in affordability; the party opposite does not. I ask its members to cut the rhetoric, get on board and join with us.”
“Mr. Speaker, I do not know where the Conservatives have been for the last four months, but we are laser focused on delivering affordability for Canadians. We have cut taxes for 22 million Canadians. We cut the GST for first-time homebuyers. Interest rates are down. Through “build Canada homes”, we are going to build homes at a scale not seen since the Second World War. It is time for the Conservatives to cut the rhetoric, get on board and join us.”
“Mr. Speaker, for someone who has actually put together budgets in the private sector, versus a Conservative leader who has never done it, I am proud to stand with a government that is going to deliver a plan on November 4 to cut operational spending so that we can invest more in our country and build our economy into the strongest economy in the G7. The Conservative leader and the party opposite have fought against every affordable measure we put forward. I say shame on them.”
“Mr. Speaker, in the last election, Canadians had a clear choice between a leader with economic and business experience versus the leader opposite, who has no economic experience whatsoever. We are laser-focused on building a strong economy. We are cutting taxes for 22 million Canadians. We are cutting the GST for first-time homebuyers. Interest rates have just dropped, and we are going to build houses at a scale not seen since the Second World War. It is time for the Conservatives to stop the rhetoric, help us build the strongest economy in the G7, and get on board.”
“Mr. Speaker, last summer, we crossed the country and went from coast to coast to coast, and the message from Canadians was resoundingly clear. They want us to spend less and invest more in national projects, invest more in building our country, bring down interprovincial trade barriers and work together. We have a plan to build the strongest economy in the G7. That is exactly what we are going to do. I ask the Conservatives to stop the rhetoric and get on board.”
“Mr. Speaker, in the last election, Canadians had a clear choice between a leader who has economic and business experience versus a leader who has none. We are focused on affordability for Canadians and cutting taxes for 22 million Canadians. We are cutting the consumer carbon tax. We are cutting the GST for first-time homebuyers, and we are going to build homes at a scale not seen since the Second World War. I ask the Conservatives to cut the rhetoric and get on board.”
“Mr. Speaker, in all seriousness, Canadians from coast to coast to coast are frustrated with CRA call centre delays. I know that. This is not on CRA employees. They are world-class public servants. This is a systemic failure over decades. That is why we are implementing a 100-day plan to improve service and accessibility, and we are going to eliminate delays. The Union of Taxation Employees and the Taxpayers' Ombudsperson have also expressed support. I am going to work with CRA leadership. I am going to hold them accountable. We are going to fix this.”
“Mr. Speaker, we all know that the delays Canadians face at CRA call centres are completely unacceptable. This is not on the CRA employees. They are world-class public servants. This is a systemic failure that has unfolded over decades. We have implemented a 100-day plan to improve service and access— Some hon. members: Oh, oh!”
“Mr. Speaker, while the Conservative leader was spending the summer trying to get his job back, we criss-crossed the country getting feedback from Canadians with respect to what they want to see in this budget. Their message was resoundingly clear. They want us to spend less on government operations and invest more in our economy, in national projects and in nation building. That is exactly what we are doing. We are going to build the strongest economy in the G7.”
“Mr. Speaker, Canadians do not want to take advice on the economy from a party whose leader has never worked in it. We have cut taxes for 22 million Canadians. We have cut the consumer carbon tax. We have cut taxes for first-time homebuyers. We are going to build homes at a scale not seen since World War II. We are going to build the strongest economy in the G7. I ask the Conservatives to get on board.”
“Mr. Speaker, we are building the strongest economy in the G7. I am not sure where the member opposite has been. We are cutting taxes for 22 million Canadians. We are permanently cutting the consumer carbon tax. We are cutting taxes for first-time homebuyers. The Conservatives, sadly, are still stuck in the past. It is time to get on board or get out of the way.”
“Mr. Speaker, last time I checked, I think we were elected on a bold agenda of change: to cut taxes, to fight against illegal tariffs, to bring this country together and build one strong economy. The rhetoric I hear across the way is the same old politics that former member Pierre Poilievre and the Conservatives peddled for two decades. In the ballot box, just as in business, if people do not deliver after two decades, they lose their job. He lost his job. We have our jobs. We are elected. We are here to build the strongest, most resilient—”
“Mr. Speaker, this government was selected by Canadians to deliver. We are cutting taxes for 22 million Canadians. We are permanently cutting the carbon tax. We are cutting taxes for first-time homebuyers. Our focus is on building the strongest economy in the G7. I ask the party and the members opposite to join us and get on board.”
“Mr. Speaker, I welcome the member opposite. It has always puzzled me how sometimes the members across hold themselves up as these great economic masters and stewards who have all the economic answers. Let us look at some economic facts. Inflation has gone down from 8.1% in June 2022 to 1.7%. We have an AAA Moody's credit rating, a debt-to-GDP ratio that is the best in the G7, the lowest debt in the G7 and the lowest deficit in the G7. Workforce or labour force participation is at 65.3%, versus the U.S. at 62.5%. Sure, we have challenges, but our economy is strong. The fundamentals are strong and we have a Prime Minister who can build the strongest economy in the G7. My question is this: Do we not deserve credit for driving inflation down to 1.7%, below Bank of Canada expectations?”
“Mr. Speaker, let me congratulate you on your new role; it looks very good on you up there. I have a question for my friend and colleague with respect to our government's bold new agenda. Obviously we were recently re-elected, and I am very pleased to hear our Prime Minister commit to the 2% spending amount with NATO. I am wondering whether my friend could just comment on what that means for the armed forces in our country and what it means for our economy.”
“Mr. Speaker, let us look at some economic facts. Inflation has dropped from 8.1% to 1.7% over the last two years. Our real GDP numbers are growing. We have had workforce participation of 65.3% versus 62.5%, compared to the U.S.A. We have a AAA Moody's credit rating. The fundamentals of our economy are very strong. We have a strong mandate from Canadians, and we are going to continue to work together across the aisle to get things done for Canadians.”
“Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the member opposite. As I have said before, I encourage the member to enjoy every minute in the House. It is a privilege for all of us to be here. I also have a little bit of advice for the member, though. When we start naming names, as I have learned, we always leave one out, and we always hear about it when we are done our speech. All in all, that was a great speech. We are a government of action. We are a government that is cutting taxes. We cut the tax for 22 million Canadians, have permanently cut the carbon tax and also cut tax for first-home homebuyers. I would like to know what the member thinks about those bold moves we have made as a government, and I thank him in advance for his support.”