Steven MacKinnon
Gatineau, Quebec · Liberal · Canada
“[ Translation ] We have come here to Ottawa with different solutions to the challenges we currently face, but let us be very clear: We are united in this chamber by our love for the Parliament of Canada and for Canada itself.”
“Mr. Speaker, as we prepare to adjourn for the summer, I would like to express my gratitude to a few people. [ English ] I want to extend my personal thanks to everyone here on Parliament Hill.”
“Mr. Speaker, we are at the end of a session, and I wish the Leader of the Opposition, his colleagues and obviously his family a restful summer, as I wish for all my colleagues on this side of the House. I want to point out that we are finishing one of the most productive legislative sessions in recent history.”
“[ English ] I want to thank my colleagues, the 174 proud and committed Canadians who serve their people proudly every day. [ Translation ] I do not want to overlook the contribution made by the other parties.”
“Mr. Speaker, let us talk about generations and generational investments. We have invested hundreds of millions of dollars in Quebec's and Canada's French-speaking culture. That is something that the Bloc Québécois did not even ask for in its budget requests.”
“Mr. Speaker, we have been having an interesting conversation this week in this very forum. The Conservatives pretend to stand up for and care for vulnerable people in this country, yet every time we propose a program, a tax reduction or a hand-up to people, they vote against it.”
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“Mr. Speaker, this time the question is from a member of Parliament from British Columbia. The member of Parliament from British Columbia wishes to now let it be known that he would stomp all over the duly elected government of the Province of British Columbia and stomp all over indigenous and first nations' involvement in any such advances. The member wants it to be made very clear that there is only one part of that entire MOU that appeals to him. For our part, we like it all. We are working on it all, and we are going to work with others to get it done.”
“Mr. Speaker, I do not know if that member is saying that we should be building a pipeline without having partnerships with first nations and over the objections of the democratic and duly elected provincial Government of British Columbia. I do not know whether that is what that member is saying; it seems to be what he is saying. If he could perhaps clarify for the House and for the people of Alberta and British Columbia, that would be very helpful. For our part, we are going to work with British Columbia, we are going to work with first nations and we are going to execute this MOU, every part of it.”
“That really takes the cake, Mr. Speaker. The member is well aware that it is the provinces that certify truck drivers, inspect trucks and hire traffic controllers. Similarly, U.S. states issue driver's licences and send drivers to Canada as well. For the first time in its history, the Bloc Québécois is asking the federal government to interfere in an area of provincial jurisdiction. They should own up to it.”
“Mr. Speaker, it is quite the opposite. We are the ones taking this issue seriously. That is why we are proposing concrete measures, including tax measures, information sharing measures and corrective measures under the Canada Labour Code. We are taking all of these measures. Then, to everyone's surprise, the Bloc Québécois voted against the budget, the same budget that will solve the federal Driver Inc. problem and ensure that we make significant progress on this issue. I hope the Bloc Québécois will come to its senses.”
“Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister and all of us and all Conservative premiers and most people in this country support every part of that MOU. What is more, the Leader of the Opposition stands in this place and says to the people of Alberta that that little thing they said was progress for their province, that made them a leader in renewable technologies, made them a leader in nuclear energy, made them a leader in interties, made them a leader in conventional electricity, is all off. He just wants this one thing. Alberta is—”
“They have been calling the offices of Conservative members to say that they know the Conservatives are divided on that. They know they have had some very difficult conversations in their caucus. The police want the ability to deal with extortion and child pornography. The Conservatives said they wanted action on this. This is action, but the Conservatives want to hold it up. Finally, should Bill C-15 , the very good budget bill before the House, not collapse today, it will also be considered next week.”
“Also, there will be the second reading debate of Bill C-13 , an act to implement the protocol on the accession of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, a very solid piece of economic policy. We would think the Conservatives would be interested in that, but apparently not. We have the report stage and third reading of Bill C-12 , which would strengthen Canada's immigration system and border, something the Conservatives talk about a lot. However, apparently they have nothing to say about this substantial and very important piece of legislation. There is the second reading of Bill C-2 , the strong borders act. It contains a concept known as lawful access, which police forces across this country have been asking for.”
“I invite the Leader of the Opposition to tell his members that their behaviour, shouting and agitation are a disservice to our democracy. This afternoon, we will continue with second reading debate of Bill C-15 , an act to implement certain provisions of the budget. We hope the debate will end this afternoon. Tomorrow, we will resume second reading debate on Bill C-10 , an act respecting the commissioner for modern treaty implementation. [ English ] Next week, priority will be given to the third reading of Bill C-4 , an act respecting certain affordability measures for Canadians and another measure. Canadians know well that we have cut income taxes for every taxpayer. We made sure we got rid of the consumer carbon tax and the GST for first-time homebuyers. This is something the Conservatives said they wanted to do, but apparently not.”
“Mr. Speaker, it will come as no surprise to anyone that I totally disagree with my esteemed colleague's version of the facts. It is precisely the outbursts of Conservative members, true to their leader 's example, with their three-word slogans and determination to upend the work of the House and committees, that prompted the decision by the member for Etobicoke—Lakeshore to cancel this morning's committee work. I encourage all members to focus on the issues. We introduce bills of great importance to all Canadians. We ensure that these bills move forward and are debated in parliamentary committees and in the House. The least we should be able to expect is to be treated with decorum, not in a heated, even frenzied way by the official opposition.”
“Mr. Speaker, I would like to speak to that point of order. The leader of the Bloc Québécois himself is saying that federal funding for culture in Quebec is being used to silence separatists. If he wants to bring those topics to the House, he has to take responsibility. The Bloc Québécois has to take responsibility so that the matter can be debated. Members of the Bloc Québécois are suffering from the same disease as the Conservatives, that is, repeating questions without even thinking them through. We will always be here to provide answers to relevant questions.”
“Mr. Speaker, there we have it. The members says “handouts” and “dependence” when talking about school food programs and about child care. He is trying to lecture my colleague from Churchill—Keewatinook Aski about not getting out enough. That member needs to talk to more single mothers. That member needs to talk to more young people, more steelworkers, more aluminum workers and more auto workers about the government's standing up, supporting and building this country. That member needs to get out more.”
“Mr. Speaker, perhaps the verdict will be overturned. I will explain what we consider to be important expenditures. For us, an important expenditure leads to job creation. It is an expenditure that enables a single mother to send her child to day care where the child will be fed through a school food program. For us, an important expenditure is something that gives young Canadians the dignity of a job, an opportunity, a future. That is what an important expenditure is for us. They call it inflationary spending because they would cut all spending.”
“Mr. Speaker, once again, I challenge my colleague, or any group among his colleagues that he cares to bring, to define what he means by inflationary spending. Does he mean school nutrition? Does he mean dental care? Does he mean investments in jobs or in renewable energy? What exactly does he mean by inflationary spending? We have been asking him that forever. My colleague seems not to know, but I invite him to explain it to the House and to all of Canada.”
“Mr. Speaker, do you know what people are not talking about in Saguenay—Lac‑Saint‑Jean this morning? They are not talking about this obsession with referendums. They are not talking about breaking up, separation, division or bickering in society. What do they care about? They care about their jobs, they care about building a country, they care about taking care of their kids, they care about putting food on the table and they care about paying the mortgage. That is what we are working on. On that side, they are all about breaking up, division and separation. On this side, we are all about jobs and the economy.”
“Mr. Speaker, the Leader of the Opposition goes on and on about imaginary taxes, yet he consistently votes against the school food program, the Canada child benefit, dental care and pharmacare. These are measures that help people in need in Canada. We are the ones proposing them, and he is the one opposing them.”
“Mr. Speaker, to listen to the members of Parliament from Alberta is to get a taste of real dejection: real dejection that a prime minister of Canada and a premier of Alberta put their signatures to a solemn document that creates major possibilities in renewable power, in electricity generation, in carbon sequestration, in resource development and in making Canada a renewable and conventional energy superpower. They are pretty disappointed about that.”
“Mr. Speaker, after spending 10 years on the other side of the House, I can understand why they are fed up. They must be fed up with voting against dental care, official languages legislation and renewable energy in Quebec. They must be very fed up with losing three, soon to be four, different leaders.”
“Mr. Speaker, here we go again with the imaginary taxes. As my colleague just said, when presented with the opportunity to vote for a tax cut for every single income-tax payer in this country, they say no. When they get a chance to vote to remove the GST for first-time homebuyers, they say no. When they get the chance to vote for the removal of the consumer carbon tax, what do the Conservatives say? No. When the time comes to vote to give Canadians a break, what do the Conservatives say? Some hon. members: No.”
“Mr. Speaker, the lid has been blown off but the lid has been blown off the tired lines that the Leader of the Opposition has been using for two years. He has systematically stood in the way of investments in supportive, social, low-cost and low-income housing in the country throughout his exclusive 20-year career in the House of Commons. He has systematically stood in the way of supports like dental care, like child care, like the Canadian child benefit, like school nutrition, the very things that he pretends to care about in the House but would vote against. Canadians know that he would vote against everything with “care” in the name. He needs to—”
“Mr. Speaker, as I was saying, the Prime Minister is doing his job and is off to give an address and consult with the Assembly of First Nations, not doing quippy quips for Twitter with the Leader of the Opposition, which I know the Leader of the Opposition would very much like to do as he likes to obstruct, obfuscate and, as he has shown earlier in question period, not have a single handle on a single fact about a single indicator on life in this country.”
“Mr. Speaker, for the record, the Prime Minister is doing his job, and now he is off to speak with the Assembly of First Nations. He is doing the job of the Prime Minister of Canada, not standing in the House doing quippy quips for Twitter— Some hon. members: Oh, oh!”
“Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order, with apologies to my hon. colleague and his speech. I simply want to inform the House that I will be bringing forward a motion for the unanimous consent of the House to schedule a take-note debate on the auto sector for this Wednesday evening.”
“Mr. Speaker, it is an important issue. We want to make sure we have marine safety and indeed the safety of all vessels. Their seaworthiness, the safety and security of those aboard them and the environment of those who must deal with these transgressions must all be dealt with. I am very glad to have the hon. member's co-operation and interest in this file. I can assure him that we will continue to work on it as we work on the security of our supply chains and the sustainability of our marine transportation system.”
“Mr. Speaker, like the member, I am making appearances at food drives, dinners and food banks this festive season. We are making sure that we show the same solidarity that Quebeckers and Canadians have always shown. However, what the people at these events ask me is why the Conservatives always vote against school food programs, the Canada child benefit, tax cuts, dental care and pharmacare. Why do the Conservatives vote against measures designed to support the vulnerable among us?”
“Mr. Speaker, the Bloc Québécois is saying things that are not true. Nobody understands why those members are getting so worked up. We have a climate plan with Alberta to develop renewable energy in western Canada, to focus on nuclear energy and to set very specific conditions for conventional energy development. At the same time, we are working with Quebec and the other provinces to continue our efforts to make Canada a world leader in renewable energy.”
“Mr. Speaker, does the Bloc Québécois know what the people in British Columbia are not saying? They are not saying that they need the Bloc Québécois to stand up for them. We have a clear path in British Columbia. We are creating jobs and opportunities. We are ensuring that we work collaboratively with B.C. first nations. We are creating renewable energy and electricity grids. B.C. is the big winner when it comes to creating opportunities, jobs and major projects in Canada. We were elected to build Canada. That is what we are doing.”
“Mr. Speaker, the agreement reached last week is a major step forward for climate change and the environment in Canada. The deal includes carbon capture. It includes renewable energy intertie projects across western Canada. It includes nuclear energy, and it also includes a clear process and clear conditions for the Province of Alberta to meet. This is a major step forward for our environment. The rules are clear, and Alberta has committed to implementing its environmental plan.”
“Mr. Speaker, my colleague just mentioned Canada's national school food program. We could also mention the Canada child benefit and automatic benefits. There is no bureaucracy in these programs, but they provide direct assistance to moms and dads who are experiencing food insecurity, which, yes, is all too widespread in our society. Why are this leader and his party so bent on voting against measures that help people experiencing food insecurity?”
“Madam Speaker, on this side of the House, count us a little perplexed as to the approach of the Conservatives in question period today. First, there is the news of 2.6% growth in our economy, which leads all published data in the G7. We signed a landmark agreement with the Province of Alberta yesterday that will secure an economic future for families, children, and people looking for jobs, and an economic future across the Prairies and into British Columbia. It is shameful that the Conservative Party sets up its tinfoil hats—”
“Madam Speaker, we had, yesterday, a very comprehensive display of meeting the ambitions and meeting the moment in western Canada in Alberta, making sure that we have a better path to fighting climate change and a higher price on industrial carbon. Premier Smith has signed on to a radical set of new measures to make sure we have clean electricity, to make sure we build data centres and to make sure we build nuclear energy. Do members know who is going to do all that? Canada's building tradespeople will do that, the men and women of Canada's building trades. We are going to build Alberta strong and build Canada strong.”
“Madam Speaker, when it comes to the forestry sector, we will take no lessons from a Conservative member. We are in a trade war. In the case of softwood lumber, the trade war has been going on for 40 years. The United States has not budged on this issue. What are we doing? We are responding by supporting our workers. We are responding by supporting our businesses. We are responding by modernizing and diversifying our offerings. We are responding by mandating the use of Canadian lumber in large-scale home construction projects in Canada. That is what we are—”
“Madam Speaker, as the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources mentioned, the economic and trade situation has changed recently. I think that all Quebeckers understand that we are in a new era when it comes to trade with the United States and perhaps with the rest of the world. That is forcing us to secure our economy, work with the provinces, meet our economic objectives and implement major renewable energy and critical mineral projects in Quebec. We were elected to build and that is what we—”
“Madam Speaker, this morning, I heard some good news about the economy. Canada's economy grew 2.6%. What I did not hear was people from British Columbia saying that they needed the Bloc Québécois to stand up for them. We will work with the Province of British Columbia. We will work because we have a duty to consult and respect the first nations of British Columbia. That is what we are going to do. We will be able to achieve all of this without the help of the Bloc Québécois, which wants to break up our country.”
“Madam Speaker, we are strong here on this side of the House. Why? It is because we are steadfast. Unlike the Bloc Québécois, we are steadfast in keeping our election promises. What were those promises? We promised to build Canada, to respect jurisdictions and to work with the provinces to meet their economic objectives. We also promised moms and dads in Canada that their children would have an economic future as strong and bright as our own. That is what we are doing. We are keeping our promises. I would invite the Bloc Québécois to do the same.”
“Madam Speaker, does my colleague want to talk about respecting provincial jurisdictions? Let us talk about Quebec's development ambitions, which include mines, critical minerals, renewable energy and clean energy. Our approach is paying off, with 2.6% growth in the last quarter. What does that mean? It means that in my esteemed colleague's riding, moms and dads can have ambitions for their children's future. It means good jobs in all regions of Quebec.”
“Madam Speaker, I sympathize with the members of the official opposition. They do not know whether they are coming or going. Every day, we are practically being harassed by the members opposite, who are demanding economic growth and results. This morning, we have the proof. The economy grew 2.6%. That means jobs and economic development for our regions. The results are there. We are building Canada and we will continue to do so.”
“Mr. Speaker, this morning, Canadians are celebrating the results of our incredibly strong economy, which is becoming the best in the G7. The Canadian economy grew 2.6% in the last quarter. What does that mean? It means opportunities for our young people. It reflects our military spending. It reflects our economic development efforts. It is the result and the fruit of our work with the provinces to build and achieve the economic ambitions of all of Canada.”
“I also want to mention that there will be a ministerial statement on Thursday, December 4 to commemorate the Polytechnique massacre.”
“Indeed, I am sure the Conservatives will want to hurry that bill off to the Senate. On Tuesday, we will resume the second-reading debate of Bill C-13 , an act to implement the protocol on the accession of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership. [ Translation ] On Wednesday and Thursday, we will begin debate at report stage and third reading of Bill C‑12, an act respecting certain measures relating to the security of Canada's borders and the integrity of the Canadian immigration system and respecting other related security measures. For the benefit of those committees studying the supplementary estimates, I believe Tuesday, December 9 will be the final allotted day of the supply cycle, but I will confirm this at this time next week.”
“Mr. Speaker, I will not trouble members once more today with the exciting details of our memorandum of understanding with the Province of Alberta, but I will provide some transparency and clarity, as always, on the way forward for Parliament in the spirit of co-operation and transparency as we work with my honourable friend and, indeed, all members of the House. This afternoon, we will continue the debate at second reading of Bill C-15 , an act to implement certain provisions of the budget. Tomorrow, we will call Bill C-10 , an act respecting the commissioner for modern treaty implementation, at second reading. On Monday, we will see the House return to the third-reading debate of Bill C-4 , an act respecting certain affordability measures for Canadians, which contains tax cuts.”
“Mr. Speaker, as I believe this is the last question, we can see the span of views in this chamber. It is interesting to me that it is a Liberal government and the Liberal Party that finds the co-operative, consensual way forward. Of course, in response to the member, we will work with and have a duty to consult first nations. Of course, we will work with and have a duty to work with the Province of British Columbia, as we do indeed with the Province of Alberta. This is a visionary agreement today, a memorandum of understanding that sets a course for the future of western Canada.”
“Mr. Speaker, two British Columbian MPs want to subtract the voice of their provincial government, and now an Albertan MP questions the wisdom of the Conservative Premier of Alberta, whose signature is still wet on a memorandum of understanding that comprehensively sets out an economic path forward for her province and for the young people who wish to create an economic future for themselves in that province. I am amazed that the Conservative MPs from British Columbia and Alberta want to deny their own provincial governments the ability to create an economic future in western Canada.”
“Mr. Speaker, once again a British Columbian member of Parliament is standing up wishing to subtract the voice of his own provincial government, the duly elected government of the people of British Columbia, who wish to have a say over a development of infrastructure that would span the entire breadth of that province. I think when the member thinks a little more seriously about this issue, he will agree that co-operative federalism and working with provinces, including Alberta and British Columbia, on things like this historic announcement today are the right way to go.”
“Mr. Speaker, that member is a British Columbian MP. Is she seriously suggesting the people and the Government of British Columbia should have no say about a piece of infrastructure that will go across the entire breadth of that province? It is very interesting to me that this member, who represents British Columbians, would want to subtract the voice of her own provincial government from that debate, and for that matter, subtract the voices of first nations. This is a historic agreement. It sets out a path forward, but we are going to do it the Canadian way: co-operatively.”
“Mr. Speaker, I think the members across, and maybe in particular those members from the province of Alberta, really underestimate how strongly their constituents feel about having a plan to reduce our carbon emissions, to reduce the intensity of our energy production, to, yes, lead the world in carbon capture and storage, and to build an energy grid throughout western Canada that makes sure renewable energy gets across western Canada. Most importantly, they underestimate the hopes of the parents of young Albertans who want to see a future for them in that province, and that is what this thing does today.”
“Mr. Speaker, as Canadians watch this debate unfold, they will take note of lines like putting “air into the ground”. In fact, we are putting carbon into the ground. We are taking it out of the atmosphere, making our production of energy resources less carbon-intensive and putting carbon, in fact, underground, therefore, committing Canada to the fight against climate change. It is very interesting, and I know Canadians will be following this debate with great interest. The slogans of the Conservatives will be something they will not forget.”
“Mr. Speaker, it is perplexing to us over here why they keep talking about some supposed veto by the B.C. premier when, in fact, of course, we will deal with the people and the province of British Columbia. What they do not mention is the signature of the Premier of Alberta on a memorandum of understanding that commits us to consulting provinces, consulting first nations, building out clean and renewable technologies, an electric grid, and building and creating opportunity for young western Canadians for generations to come.”
“Mr. Speaker, this is not a question about government operations, but I can confirm that all members and all ministers sitting on this side of the House rigorously follow the code of ethics imposed on us, which is one of the strongest and strictest in the world.”
“Mr. Speaker, on the contrary, I am standing up, as are all my colleagues on this side of the House, because we have work to do. We are going to build a country, work with the provinces, consult with first nations and develop a climate framework that will enable us to achieve net zero by 2050. We are going to work together with all Canadians from coast to coast to coast. That is what we are going to do. That is the mandate we received from voters. The Bloc Québécois can say what it wants, but we are here to build a strong Canada.”
“Mr. Speaker, the leader of the Bloc Québécois is looking for any excuse to sow division and stir up trouble in Canada. This should come as no surprise. What we saw today are the same things we are doing with Quebec, namely, working together to take ambitious action, ensuring that federalism generates economic opportunities, and yes, building an economy based on renewable energy and creating a climate of opportunity for our young people. Why is the leader of the Bloc Québécois opposed to that?”