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, I suspect Canadians are straining to find the Leader of the Opposition credible on any of this. This memorandum of understanding would create a carbon capture and storage system that would lead the world. It would include, of course, the bringing together of partners with whom we have a duty to consult and other jurisdictions. It would create jobs in the electrical system. It would create construction jobs. It would create opportunity across western Canada, but most importantly, it would make Canada an energy superpower. Why can the Leader of the Opposition not see that?”
“Mr. Speaker, the country and indeed the world are calling out for serious leadership, for co-operative leadership, for leadership that brings people and parties together. I do not think the Conservative leader has any concept of what is required to do the kind of development he is proposing. Of course we will consult and deal with the duly elected Premier of British Columbia. Of course we have a duty to consult with first nations. Of course we will do this in a co-operative way. We will do it in the Canadian way, and we will do it in the right way.”
“Actually, Mr. Speaker, this is a big, large, great, grand day for Canada. Our government has reached an important MOU with Danielle Smith, the premier of the province of Alberta, that creates an energy transition in all aspects of energy. It sets the stage for an industrial transformation. It will make Canada stronger, more independent, more resilient and more sustainable, and it will include the largest carbon capture project in the world. It will mean that all of Alberta's energy resources are among the lowest energy-intensive in the world.”
“Mr. Speaker, the world is changing rapidly. The United States, the world's largest economy, is fundamentally reshaping all its trade relationships, causing major disruption and upheaval for Canadians. It is time to transform our economy from one that is reliant on a single trading partner to one that is stronger, more self-sufficient and resilient to global shocks. To these ends, Canada and Alberta share the same ambitions: diversify our export markets, make Canada an energy superpower and build a stronger, cleaner, more independent and more competitive economy.”
“Mr. Speaker, maybe we should come at this another way. The member is a British Columbia member. Is he really suggesting, even given the constituents he represents from first nations, that the Government of Canada, without the consent of the Province of British Columbia and without consultation with first nations, is in a position to do that? I think he does not really mean that. He has not thought this through, and I think the member, once he does, will come back here and agree that the Government of Canada is pursuing the right path.”
“Mr. Speaker, we learned, in the course of the last election campaign, that the Leader of the Opposition had in fact never spoken to the Progressive Conservative Premier of Ontario, Mr. Ford. Now, I know the Leader of the Opposition to be someone who will look back, maybe looks back too often, but he looks backwards. He will want to learn from that mistake, and I really suggest he not make that mistake again with the Premier of Alberta. The Leader of the Opposition should please call Danielle Smith.”
“Mr. Speaker, on the contrary, we are very proud to contribute to building this country and creating opportunities across Canada through renewable energy projects practically nationwide and through major projects like the mine that my colleague just mentioned. Between the Bloc Québécois, which wants to destroy our economy, and the Conservative Party, which wants to open the floodgates and destroy everyone in its path, the Liberal Party and the Liberal government, as always, find the proper balance.”
“Mr. Speaker, what the Prime Minister is doing is leading. He is leading on building national projects. He is leading on building port capacity. He is leading on making Canadian steel, lumber, aluminum and various other commodities more available for homes and big projects, to put unionized people, men and women from every part of this country, to work building our great country. This is what the Prime Minister is doing. He is leading. What is the leader of the opposition doing?”
“Mr. Speaker, of course, we have an ongoing dialogue with Canada's transportation companies about ensuring that the mark of a great society is the space and the ability for all members of that society to participate in it. We obviously want the transportation sector to be very reflective of that great generosity in Canada. We have a proud record on this side of the House in renewing and reaffirming our commitment to accessibility in Canada. We will continue to do that, and we will do it in partnership with the transportation sector.”
“Mr. Speaker, I see that the our friends across the way are continuing to spread conspiracy theories. As the member is well aware, having presumably complied with it for the first time, the code of ethics that governs members of Parliament, parliamentarians and senior officials in Canada is among the strictest in the world. The Prime Minister is the first to follow that code with rigour and professionalism.”
“Mr. Speaker, it is rather surprising that this experienced member continues to repeat these baseless, empty and completely untrue allegations. He knows full well that we have one of the strictest ethics codes in the world. The Prime Minister follows that code rigorously, and he will continue to do so.”
“Mr. Speaker, speaking of ranting and raving, I asked the Leader of the Opposition yesterday about two significant things that were said by members of his caucus last week. Number one, the member for Calgary Midnapore suggested that the Prime Minister was disloyal to Canada. Second, the member for Prince George—Peace River—Northern Rockies repeated MAGA claims that immigrants were the cause of economic slowdown in Canada. The Leader of the Opposition should stand in his place right now and apologize for those comments, take those members to task and do something for once. Some hon. members: Oh, oh!”
“Mr. Speaker, this is nonsense. We have dozens of major projects in play and under study, and we are building the country at unimaginable speed. We are creating opportunities for energy workers, young people, housing, steel, lumber, aluminum and autos in this country. That is what we are doing. What is shocking is that the Leader of the Opposition stands in his place and somehow pretends in his whole fake way that he is going to override and steamroll the rights of Canadians who have a right to have a say in these projects. We are going to give them a say. He will not.”
“Mr. Speaker, on natural resources projects and interprovincial resource projects, there are indeed a great deal of those. The federal government has a unique role and must ensure that our obligations to first nations, to other provinces, to communities and to consulting are present and that those conditions are met, and then we are able to proceed. The Leader of the Opposition, now that he is standing right there, may want to stand up and say what part of that process he would not respect.”
“Mr. Speaker, last week, we talked about that big, long, giant pipeline of hot air that animated the country for 10 years during the government of which that member was a member. Not a single millilitre of oil reached tidewater under the Harper era. Under the Liberal government, oil exports have increased. Oil exports to tidewater, thanks to the purchase of the Trans Mountain pipeline, have increased. Canada is a conventional and renewable energy superpower, and that will continue.”
“Mr. Speaker, I have had a great time touring around and promoting all of the good transportation news coming out of this budget for Quebec. In fact, after receiving numerous requests from the Bloc Québécois, including one to extend the runway on the Magdalen Islands, I was very pleased to go there and share the good news. I would like to thank the people of the Magdalen Islands for their warm welcome. What happened next? We got back to Ottawa and the Bloc Québécois voted against this project, against the Port of Saguenay and the other proposals, including the one involving Contrecoeur. Unfortunately, the Bloc Québécois—”
“Mr. Speaker, we are back to the imaginary taxes again. There is no tax on food. Farms are largely, if not totally, exempt from the industrial carbon tax. Even their favourite Twitter guy, the food professor, says there is no incidence on food prices from the matters the member mentions. I would invite her to correct herself.”
“Mr. Speaker, as the member is well aware, parliamentarians, and even senior public servants, are subject to one of the strictest codes of ethics in the world. Like the rest of us, the Prime Minister has always followed all the rules and, incidentally, will continue to do so.”
“Mr. Speaker, of course, the Prime Minister cares about the well-being of Canada, of workers and of our industries. That is why we are engaged in constructive negotiations with the United States, but Canadians feel like things are starting to go off the rails on the other side. In the House this morning, the member for Calgary Midnapore once again questioned the Prime Minister's loyalty to Canada. Does the Leader of the Opposition condone these comments? If not, will he admonish his member?”
“Mr. Speaker, we think that things are starting to go off the rails on the other side. [ English ] A member's repeating of MAGA claims came in the wake of the member for Calgary Midnapore questioning the Prime Minister 's loyalty to Canada. I think we can all agree that those are comments that no Canadian can take seriously. My question is, does the Leader of the Opposition take them seriously? If he does not, which he must surely not, would he tell the House, and then would he tell his member to apologize for those comments?”
“Mr. Speaker, the member repeated MAGA claims that immigrants are a drag on our economy. I think Canadians want to know whether the Leader of the Opposition approves of this kind of language. Will he sanction the member, yes or no?”
“Mr. Speaker, these are serious matters the member is talking about. [ English ] I just want to repeat this. Last week, the member for Prince George—Peace River—Northern Rockies repeated MAGA claims that immigration and immigrants are a drag on the Canadian economy. I think Canadians want to know from the Leader of the Opposition— Some hon. members: Oh, oh!”
“Mr. Speaker, last week, the member for Prince George—Peace River—Northern Rockies repeated MAGA-style accusations that immigrants are slowing down the Canadian economy. Things are starting to go off the rails on that side. I think Canadians have a right to know whether the Leader of the Opposition agrees with these comments.”
“Mr. Speaker, I want to end question period, at least for this Conservative question, with this. We started question period talking about a very unfortunate quote by the member for Calgary Midnapore . I want to draw members' attention to a quote from the member for Algonquin—Renfrew—Pembroke that I do not think really elevates the nature of debate in this House. She said, in referring to the budget, “They would rather die than suffer the way the Liberal government has been making them suffer.” I would invite the member to retract her comment. I do not think these excesses of language and quite obviously patently false entries into debate serve anyone. Some hon. members: Oh, oh!”
“Mr. Speaker, it is always funny when I hear the critic for immigration talking in the House about immigration, when they systematically slapped down any possibility of improving our immigration system prior to the last election. Now the member for Vaughan—Woodbridge stands up and dares to ask what tools we are putting in place to prevent extortion. He is in the way. Tell the whip to get his boot off the neck of Bill C-2 so we can give lawful access provisions to our police to prevent, detain, arrest and jail extortionists in this country.”
“Mr. Speaker, I do not think debate in the chamber is served by challenging a Prime Minister who has stood up for public service in Canada, challenging his patriotism or his service to his country. I know that member does not believe those things. I would invite her to restrain her comments with respect to the Prime Minister's feelings about the country and about the people that he serves. I would once again invite her to retract those comments.”
“Mr. Speaker, earlier today in the chamber, the member for Calgary Midnapore said that the Prime Minister 's loyalty was not to Canada or to Canadians. That is a direct quote. I would invite her to retract that statement at this very time.”
“Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister did indeed have a choice to make this week. He chose to be here in the House twice to vote for a historic budget for Quebeckers and Canadians. This Prime Minister will always act in the best interests of Canada, will always act in favour of opportunities and will always act to build and improve the possibilities and opportunities available to Quebeckers. The Bloc Québécois should do the same.”
“Mr. Speaker, the House has before it measures, contained in Bill C-2 , that would give the police long-requested abilities to prevent extortion and to catch extortionists and criminals in our country. The Conservatives, and the Conservatives alone, stood in the way of those particular measures, demanding their removal from Bill C-2. That member needs to talk to his whip, talk to his leader , and get out of the way of law enforcement to stop extortion in this country. That member needs to stand for law and order.”
“Mr. Speaker, the deputy leader of the Conservative Party should ask the question in reverse. Why is it that when the Leader of the Opposition flies out of the city to far-flung places across our vast and grand land, his polling results go down every single time he lands at a great Canadian airport? The deputy leader should demand more of her leader and demand bigger results from her leader. The deputy leader needs to step up.”
“Mr. Speaker, in those long, barren Harper years when the member was a minister, the only pipeline that was built was the pipeline full of hot air that led to nothing. Not a single energy-exporting piece of tidewater infrastructure was ever constructed under a Conservative government. We have built one. We just heard the minister talking about a process on another. If someone wants to vote for energy security, vote for energy exports or vote for major projects and opportunity in this country, they should cast a Liberal vote.”
“Mr. Speaker, the member is an experienced member, so experienced, in fact, that he was here for the 10-year river of Harper red ink, with the biggest budget deficits on record in the history of the country. It is funny; he was not talking about that then. What he has done is vote against a budget that creates opportunity right throughout Atlantic Canada and right throughout the province of New Brunswick and that creates opportunity for young people in New Brunswick in energy and infrastructure. We are going to keep building this country despite the member, his history of red ink and his negativism.”
“Mr. Speaker, of course, there is a well-worn process for the appointment of the Parliamentary Budget Officer, which involves consulting with all members of the House, including the Leader of the Opposition . We look forward to the members' feedback on that very important job search.”
“Mr. Speaker, like my colleague who just listed the budget points that highlight our achievements and commitments to culture, I am baffled to see that Bloc members are demanding landing strips, ports, docks in Saguenay, investments in major projects, support for health care and housing in Quebec and then, oops, they cross the bridge over the Ottawa River and vote against all of that. Why did the Bloc Québécois not stand with the Liberals to vote for Quebec and for this budget?”
“Mr. Speaker, sometimes I wonder if the Conservatives do not just sit on Twitter all day trying to figure out what they are going to say in the House of Commons, instead of the opposite. This is absolutely groundless. This is absolutely baseless. There are no facts involved in anything the member just said. The member for London West has always taken a prudent and responsible approach to public finances. There was nothing out of the ordinary: No new employees were hired, salary expenses for employees were normal and vacation expenses for employees were reported, as is always the case. The case is closed.”
“Mr. Speaker, the member in question was present. He momentarily lifted his body out of the seat for a second and returned to his seat immediately. He heard the question and cast his vote. I would ask the indulgence of members on the other side of the House to overlook this very brief, minor error. Some hon. members: No.”
“Mr. Speaker, we are fully confident that Quebeckers have seen the investments this budget is making in culture. They have confidence in that. They have confidence in our investments in housing. They have confidence in our investments in the military sector to create jobs at Davie and in aerospace. They have confidence that the Liberal Party will protect our language, culture and Radio-Canada across Canada and invest in our language, our culture in Quebec and our unique Quebec identity. Quebeckers have expressed confidence in this budget. The only question that remains is whether the Bloc Québécois will do the same.”
“Mr. Speaker, this morning brings the outstanding news of tens of thousands, in fact, 69,000, new jobs in Canada, in the second straight month of employment growth in this country. What is happening, as the Minister of Natural Resources informed us yesterday, is that investors are piling into Canada. They are expressing confidence in our country. The entrepreneurs, the tech sector and young people are getting energized about this positive economic momentum. We are going to keep it going with this budget. I hope the Conservatives support us in it.”
“I wish all members a good week of work in their constituencies as they ponder that final vote on this year's budget, which, as we saw today in question period, contains multitudes for so many Canadians who are looking for a hand up and a way forward.”
“On Tuesday, Bill C-14 , the bail and sentencing reform act, will be debated again at the second reading stage. On Wednesday, we will move to the report stage and third reading of Bill C-4 , an act respecting certain affordability measures for Canadians and another measure. [ English ] I must express a little puzzlement. We called Bill C-4 for debate on Monday afternoon. I know the Conservatives are not against taking the GST off of homes for first-time homebuyers. I know they are not against the income tax cut, and I know they are not against removing the carbon tax for Canadians. I am pretty confident about all of those things, so I know they will want to co-operate in advancing this very important piece of legislation on Wednesday.”
“Mr. Speaker, I want to join my hon. friend in saluting our country's veterans, their families and their communities, and all of those we take a moment to remember on November 11. I know all of those people deeply appreciate the support that Canadians demonstrate in their communities on Remembrance Day. I want to join my friend, the opposition House leader , in sending along those wishes. I want to thank members for an eventful budget week. We are looking forward, of course, to continuing debate on the budget today. [ Translation ] The vote on the Conservative Party subamendment will take place later today. We will resume debate on the budget tomorrow, as well as on the Monday after we return from spending the week of Remembrance Day in our ridings.”
“Mr. Speaker, of course we are always listening to Canadians. I would stress to the hon. member that this is a budget that invests historically in climate competitiveness in this country, in getting Canada to net zero by 2050 and in making sure that Canada remains a leader in the worldwide fight against climate change. I would invite the member to compare us to any country around the world, especially our neighbours to the south, to put this in perspective and to understand, as I know she will, that this is a historic effort on a historic issue, and that it is a historic budget.”
“Mr. Speaker, do members know what this budget does? It builds communities. It builds opportunities for young people in our communities. It ties this country together in a common refrain of hope, optimism and investing in ourselves. We are going to be investing in new homes. We are going to be investing in housing for young people. We are going to build it with Canadian steel. We are going to build it with Canadian lumber. We are going to build it with the best thing we have: the Canadian ingenuity that exists in the youngest and oldest and in the skilled tradespeople of this country. We are going to build Canada. Conservatives like that. Liberals like that. Let us build the country together.”
“Mr. Speaker, once again, the leader persists with and doubles down on these fake, imaginary taxes that exist only in his head and in the talking points that he hands out. What I will tell him is that this is a budget that Conservative-minded voters, people who think of voting Conservative in elections, can like. What do they like about it? They like the hope. They like the ambition. They like the economic growth. They like bringing this country together from coast to coast to coast to invest in our potential, to invest in our young people and to grow this country to be the best in the G7. That is why—”
“Mr. Speaker, it may not be written in the notes that the Leader of the Opposition just passed him, but the member should talk to his colleagues, the ones who are delaying the passage of Bill C‑4 , since it reduces taxes for everyone who pays income tax in Canada, lowers the GST on homes for first-time buyers and eliminates the carbon tax. The member opposite should rise and stop delaying a bill that offers affordability to all of Canada.”
“Mr. Speaker, once again the opposition is talking about imaginary taxes. I will tell members something that is not imaginary, because I get to be the House leader and actually see things that are not imaginary. We are debating Bill C-4 , which would do three things: cut income taxes for every single person who pays income tax, cut the GST for first-time homebuyers, and, guess what, get rid of the carbon tax. The Conservatives play games, use procedures and talk around things to delay and delay affordability measures that are quite real, not imaginary, for Canadians. They should—”
“Mr. Speaker, once again, these are imaginary taxes; they do not exist. There is no tax on food packaging. The member can cite all the imaginary people he wants to, but there are no taxes on food packaging. Good news is that the budget will not include any either.”
“Mr. Speaker, Canadians know that there is no tax on packaging, that the taxes described by the member do not exist. There are no taxes on food at the grocery store. There are no taxes. The Conservatives are talking about imaginary taxes. They do not exist, and Canadians know it. It is time for the Conservatives to realize that as well.”
“Mr. Speaker, my esteemed colleague will have to wait for the budget, but I can confirm that we will maintain Canada's climate change leadership on the world stage. I can confirm that Canada will not go backward, but will march relentlessly forward. I am sure the member would not want us to avoid undertaking major projects in Quebec and the rest of Canada. I can assure the member that we will invest. We will invest in our young people and our communities. We will invest to move the country forward.”
“Mr. Speaker, today is a great day for the member opposite because we will have an affordable budget that protects the most vulnerable, invests in our young people, invests in all Canadians, invests in communities and regions across the country, builds the country and creates employment and investment opportunities in Canada, all to build the strongest economy in the G7. I invite the member to support us today.”