Eleanor Olszewski
Edmonton Centre, Alberta · Liberal · Canada
“that day, all remaining amendments that were submitted to the committee by June 9, 2026, shall be deemed moved, the Chair shall put the question forthwith and successively without further debate on all remaining clauses and amendments submitted to the committee, as well as each and every question necessary to dispose of the clause-by-clau…”
“moved: Motion That, notwithstanding any standing order or usual practice of the House, Bill C-30, An Act to implement certain provisions of the spring economic update tabled in Parliament on April 28, 2026, be disposed of as follows: (a) it be an instruction to the Standing Committee on Finance that, during its consideration of the bill,…”
“Mr. Speaker, our government has a clear plan to build Canada strong by creating good careers for workers in Alberta and across the country. Last month, 14,000 new jobs were added to Alberta's economy. We know there is more work to do.”
“Mr. Speaker, my colleague from Alberta on the Conservative benches must have missed the latest job numbers for our province. Employment in Alberta is up 104,000 compared to this time last year. It is the strongest year-over-year jobs growth of any province.”
“Mr. Speaker, that is exactly what we have delivered. Contracts are now in place to lease 10 additional wildfire aircraft that will support provinces and territories, starting this wildfire season. In line with our government's buy Canadian policy, each of the companies leasing aircraft to CIFFC is a Canadian firm.”
“Mr. Speaker, Conservatives say they speak for Alberta, but they are offside with Alberta's business community. Business Council of Alberta president Adam Legge said that our spring economic update will support skilled labour, advance the Major Projects Office, strengthen defence procurement and improve our financial position.”
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“on the sitting day following the completion of the committee stage of the bill, who shall notify the House leaders of the recognized parties and independent members, and the report shall be deemed to have been duly presented to the House; (b) the bill may be taken up on any sitting day following the completion of paragraph (a)(iv) of this order, and be deemed to have been concurred in, as amended, at the report stage; (c) a motion for third reading may be made immediately after the bill has been concurred in, as amended, at report stage; (d) when the House begins debate at the third reading stage of the bill, one member of each recognized party, a member of the New Democratic Party, and the member of the Green Party, may each speak at the said stage for not more than 20 minutes, followed by 10 minutes for questions and comments, provided that members may be permitted to split their time with another member; (e) at the conclusion of the time provided for the debate at the third reading stage or when no member wishes to speak, whichever is earlier, all questions necessary to dispose of the third reading stage of the bill shall be put without further debate or amendment, provided that, if a recorded division is requested, it shall not be deferred; and (f) when the bill is considered at report stage and at the third reading stage, after 6:30 p.m., no quorum calls, dilatory motions or requests for unanimous consent, except from a minister of the Crown, shall be received by the Chair.”
“that day, all remaining amendments that were submitted to the committee by June 9, 2026, shall be deemed moved, the Chair shall put the question forthwith and successively without further debate on all remaining clauses and amendments submitted to the committee, as well as each and every question necessary to dispose of the clause-by-clause consideration of the bill, and the committee shall not adjourn the meeting until it has disposed of the bill, (iii) the committee shall have first priority for the use of House resources for this meeting, (iv) a member of the committee may report the bill to the House by depositing it with the Clerk of the House no later than 12:00 p.m.”
“moved: Motion That, notwithstanding any standing order or usual practice of the House, Bill C-30, An Act to implement certain provisions of the spring economic update tabled in Parliament on April 28, 2026, be disposed of as follows: (a) it be an instruction to the Standing Committee on Finance that, during its consideration of the bill, (i) the committee shall meet at 9:00 a.m. on the sitting day following the adoption of this order for the purpose of completing clause-by-clause consideration of the bill, (ii) if the committee has not completed the clause-by-clause consideration of the bill by 9:30 a.m.”
“Mr. Speaker, our government has a clear plan to build Canada strong by creating good careers for workers in Alberta and across the country. Last month, 14,000 new jobs were added to Alberta's economy. We know there is more work to do. That is why we are building big and scaling up efforts to recruit, train and hire up to 100,000 additional skilled trade workers. I have a simple question: Why are the Conservatives so disappointed by positive news?”
“Mr. Speaker, my colleague from Alberta on the Conservative benches must have missed the latest job numbers for our province. Employment in Alberta is up 104,000 compared to this time last year. It is the strongest year-over-year jobs growth of any province. This is thanks to resilient Alberta workers and businesses that are building, hiring, investing and helping to drive Canada's economy forward. Conservatives from Alberta should stop talking down their own constituents and acknowledge the work they are doing to build a better economy.”
“Mr. Speaker, that is exactly what we have delivered. Contracts are now in place to lease 10 additional wildfire aircraft that will support provinces and territories, starting this wildfire season. In line with our government's buy Canadian policy, each of the companies leasing aircraft to CIFFC is a Canadian firm. This investment will protect lives, homes and communities for years to come.”
“Mr. Speaker, my fellow Conservatives should listen to the people they represent. Edmonton Chamber of Commerce president Doug Griffiths said he was “excited to see that the federal government is taking a bullish stance on Canadian projects, and signalling confidence in Canada's economic potential to the rest of the world.” I hope Conservative MPs remove their partisan blinders and support our plan.”
“Mr. Speaker, my fellow Edmontonians on the Conservative benches should listen to the people they represent. Edmonton Chamber of Commerce president Doug Griffiths said, about the spring economic update, that he was “excited to see that— Some hon. members: Oh, oh!”
“Mr. Speaker, Conservatives say they speak for Alberta, but they are offside with Alberta's business community. Business Council of Alberta president Adam Legge said that our spring economic update will support skilled labour, advance the Major Projects Office, strengthen defence procurement and improve our financial position. Alberta Conservatives should stop repeating their leader 's Conservative talking points ad nauseam and start paying attention to the people of the province they were elected to represent.”
“Mr. Speaker, it is Emergency Preparedness Week. This year's theme is “Be Prepared. Know Your Risks.” Our government is showing leadership by strengthening our emergency preparedness and response capacity. We have increased our aerial firefighting capacity. We are improving federal emergency coordination through our new government operations centre. Just this morning, I announced the renewal of the humanitarian workforce program. We are ready, and we are focused on keeping Canadians safe.”
“Mr. Speaker, our plan in our spring economic update is good for Edmonton. However, my fellow Edmontonians on the Conservative benches should not take it from me. Doug Griffiths, president and CEO of the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce, said that our update “aligns closely with what Edmonton businesses have been wanting to see from our federal government”. I hope every Edmonton MP listens to the people and organizations we represent and gets on board with our plan to build Canada strong.”
“Mr. Speaker, Albertans are happy to hear we are investing in them and addressing their affordability challenges in tangible ways. They know that making a reduction in fuel costs from now to Labour Day will save them money and make it easier for them to travel to and from work and throughout our beautiful province. Albertans are looking for the government to provide solutions, and we are delivering.”
“Mr. Speaker, what I hear when I travel through Alberta is how supportive people are of the government's advancing priorities for Albertans, the things that matter most to them: affordability, energy and economic growth. The announcement to temporarily remove the federal excise tax on gas will help families, farmers, truck drivers and business operators throughout the province. We are working hard to build a country where Albertans and all Canadians can have greater prosperity.”
“Mr. Speaker, I can advise that I have been in contact with officials in Abbotsford and the Fraser Valley region since December of last year. I have attended meetings with a number of my counterparts there, and we will be taking active steps with Abbotsford to talk about flood mitigation strategies.”
“Mr. Speaker, as an Albertan, I understand the special place that Jasper holds in the hearts of Albertans and Canadians. Last week in Jasper, I announced that our government provided more than $14 million for new housing units to support the people who live and work there. This is in addition to the over $380 million that our government has already provided for recovery. As ministerial lead for Jasper, I will ensure that Jasper, a place of unparalleled natural beauty, remains a place that Jasperites continue to—”
“Mr. Speaker, affordability starts with opportunity, and that means making sure every Canadian can get a good-paying career. Our plan is working. Just last month in Alberta alone, nearly 42,000 good, full-time careers were created. That is more people earning paycheques, putting money back in the economy and getting ahead. At a moment when Canadians are focused on affordability, it is time for Conservatives to stop blocking the budget implementation act and back a plan that is delivering real results.”
“Mr. Speaker, we are building big in this country, and that means building more homes. While the Conservatives belittle what has been done so far, it is time to check some facts. Calgary is a recognized national leader in terms of fast-tracking housing projects using federal program funding like the housing accelerator fund and is building affordable, inclusive and resilient communities. If the Conservatives really cared about housing for young people, they would support our plan, which will deliver real results for Calgarians and Albertans.”
“Mr. Speaker, I can assure my friend across the aisle that emergency management, our department, was in contact with that nation. From the commencement of the power outage, we have worked, as has Indigenous Services Canada, to make sure that, firstly, we sent the Canadian Armed Forces, and secondly, there were sufficient people on the ground to help evacuate and provide benefits to the region.”
“Mr. Speaker, once again, Conservatives in Ottawa are out of step with Conservatives in Alberta. Alberta's Minister of Social Services has praised the pace of housing delivery, saying that we are getting shovels in the ground and roofs over the heads of Albertans. Thousands more low-income Albertans will have a safe, durable and affordable house they can count on. Federal Conservatives say they want to work with us, but they cannot even work with their own Conservative colleagues on delivering housing for Albertans.”
“Mr. Speaker, the Conservatives have spent the last two months going on and on talking about food banks, but they really need to listen to them. I was in Edmonton last weekend. I met with people on the ground at food banks, and they were praising the Prime Minister 's announcement and saying what a huge benefit it would be to people actually on the ground in ridings in Alberta, including Conservative ridings. Conservatives should support a benefit that would help 1.3 million Albertans, including those in Conservative ridings.”
“Mr. Speaker, the world has changed, but it is pretty clear, after the Conservative convention this weekend, that the Leader of the Opposition has not. Conservatives keep going back to the same old attacks, demonizing diversity and denying climate change, but we have a plan. We are focused on what Canadians actually care about: supporting families and building Canada in a changing world. That is why we announced new affordability measures, including the groceries and essentials benefit, which will help up to 1.3 million Albertans. It is time that Conservatives get serious.”
“Mr. Speaker, this morning the Prime Minister introduced the new Canada groceries and essentials benefit. I look forward to returning to Alberta this weekend and sharing with my constituents that a family of four can receive up to almost $1,900 to help pay for groceries and other essentials. This is the kind of support Canadians are looking for. As Canadians, we look after each other. We are asking the opposition members to help us do just that.”
“Mr. Speaker, the industrial carbon tax has next to zero impact on the cost of food. School food programs, on the other hand, lower food costs for many families, but the Conservatives voted against them, just like they voted against child care, dental care and affordable housing. Day after day, we hear the Conservatives talk about making life more affordable for Canadians. Why do they keep voting against the things that would do exactly that?”
“Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the member for Winnipeg South Centre for his continued support as we advance the legacy his father set in motion for a stronger prairie economy. The prairie partnership initiative is a new, coordinated approach that gives significant prairie projects a clear pathway through the federal system so that they can move from ambition to action. By aligning federal expertise with prairie priorities, the PPI will help meet this critical moment by positioning the Prairies at the—”
“Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 32(2) I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the first progress report on the Building a Green Prairie Economy Act. This report is part of the legacy of the late Hon. Jim Carr, who sponsored the Building a Green Prairie Economy Act, which is the foundation for the framework.”
“Mr. Speaker, we have cut taxes for 22 million Canadians. We are building affordable homes. We are making it easier for young people to buy homes. We are creating thousands of jobs by investing in our economy. The easiest way for Conservatives to make life more affordable for Canadians is to support our plan in budget 2025.”
“Mr. Speaker, budget 2025 delivers a stronger Alberta economy by backing workers, industries and innovators. It supports jobs and Alberta's economic edge. Edmonton Chamber of Commerce CEO Doug Griffiths said it is “a clear commitment to driving economic growth and job creation.” Conservatives cannot stand up for Alberta if they will not listen to our business community.”
“Mr. Speaker, the Conservatives keep talking and talking about affordability, but when it comes voting, they oppose the very measures that create jobs and strengthen local economies. We are delivering real results: thousands of new jobs, real investments in prairie communities and stronger paycheques for Alberta families. If the Conservatives actually care about helping families make ends meet, they should support budget 2025 and the jobs it would create for Albertans and all Canadians.”
“Mr. Speaker, as a fellow Albertan, I know families want more than just to get by; they want good jobs, stable incomes and a fair shot at building a better life. That is exactly what we are focused on. Last year, the Prairies development agency helped create more than 9,000 jobs in Alberta. Budget 2025 will keep that momentum going. The Conservatives can support it and help grow Alberta's economy, or keep voting against the opportunities that Albertans and Canadians deserve.”
“Mr. Speaker, as I said, one of the biggest drivers of food insecurity is the cost of housing. That is why we are focused on getting more homes built. That is how we make life affordable for Canadians. We are starting to see progress. Projects are breaking ground, rents are starting to level off and more families are moving into homes they can afford. The Conservatives can criticize all they want, but if they really wanted to help families with affordability, they would support our budget.”
“Mr. Speaker, one thing is clear: Investing in housing is one of the most effective ways to tackle food insecurity. In the last six months in my home riding of Edmonton Centre, I have announced over $400 million in infrastructure investments and affordable housing. We are not asking young people to make sacrifices or Canadians to make sacrifices; we are asking the Conservatives to support our generational budget so that we can keep building homes and make life affordable for Canadians.”
“Mr. Speaker, we are living in a new reality where natural disasters are more frequent and more severe. I am actively working with provinces and territories, indigenous partners and other stakeholders on how we can strengthen coordination and capacity. Throughout the summer, I met with first responders, local officials and members of the Canadian Armed Forces to hear their first-hand experiences of wildfires this season. We will ensure that communities have the tools they need to respond, recover and rebuild.”
“Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the first responders, local officials and members of the Canadian Armed Forces whose work on the front lines saved lives and protected communities. We were there for Newfoundland and Labradorians as they faced these historic wildfires. We also supported Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and Nova Scotia. In true Canadian form, the provinces and territories stepped up to help one another when more resources were needed. While many face a long road to recovery, we will continue to support Canadians with focus, determination and unity.”
“Madam Speaker, I want to thank my colleague for his question and for his deep concern for the people of Manitoba and Saskatchewan. The wildfire season has hit earlier and harder than usual, and Canadians are stepping up to support those affected. That is why we have partnered with Manitoba, Saskatchewan and the Red Cross to match every single individual donation made to their wildlife appeals. Every dollar Canadians give will go further to provide shelter, food and essential supplies to those affected by wildfires.”
“Mr. Speaker, I can advise that, indeed, our department will be looking at all kinds of different mechanisms for dealing with responses to emergency situations like wildfires and floods. We are going to be doing that because we know that every time a crisis happens, we learn from that crisis. We learn and we take lessons; we take those lessons to our local, provincial and indigenous counterparts, and we work to make a system that is better with respect to all aspects of emergency preparedness and evacuations.”
“Mr. Speaker, I can indeed advise that there were two squadrons from Trenton that were deployed, one with respect to the Mathias Colomb evacuation and the other with respect to the Cross Lake one, and I would again at this point in time like to thank all of the forces members for helping evacuate members of those communities under very challenging and, as I have indicated before, unpredictable situations. Of course we always have great gratitude for those individuals who risk their own lives to bring other people to safety.”
“That means an incredible strain on resources, and it is a continuous strain on resources. All I can add to that is that we will continue to do all that we can, because again, the safety of Canadians, including people from Saskatchewan, is our top priority.”
“Mr. Speaker, with respect to the member's question regarding evacuees, he can tell them that the federal government has their backs, that we will be there to support them and that, in fact, the Red Cross and other humanitarian task forces in these situations are on the ground, assisting evacuees when there are difficulties with accessing accommodation. I might add one other thing. The problem with dealing with these wildfires at this point in time is that the evacuations have been rolling, so it is not like a situation in which we are evacuating one community, like Jasper. It has been one community, then another community and then another community, all rolling. That is especially so in the province of Manitoba, and I suspect it will happen in Saskatchewan too.”
“I assure members that in my role as minister for disaster management and also community resilience, I will be focused on ensuring that we learn from these disasters and we prepare better to respond and mitigate the very real threats that we face each year. I invite all members of the House to join me and the government in working on solutions to these important issues. I want the people of Mathias Colomb Cree Nation, Cross Lake, La Ronge, Lac La Ronge Indian Band and every other community affected by these fires to know that the government is here for them. We will continue to work around the clock to get them the help that they need. We will be there as evacuations unfold. We will be there as recovery begins. We will be there in the following weeks and months. There is a long road ahead.”
“These kinds of moments should not become partisan flashpoints.They should be moments for unity, for standing together to support those on the front lines, to support those whose lives have been upended, and to support them with speed, coordination and compassion. That includes listening to indigenous communities who have told us, clearly and repeatedly, that they face unique and indeed disproportionate challenges during emergencies, especially when it comes to evacuations, overcrowded accommodations, access to culturally safe supports and long-term recovery. We hear those concerns, and we are acting on them. We know there is more to do. We are committed to doing that in partnership and in good faith.”
“I am working closely with my colleague, the Minister of Indigenous Services , to ensure that all communities have what they need. I want to thank her for her support and her very strong leadership during this difficult time. When the immediate threat has passed, we will be there to help communities recover and build back. That is where disaster financial assistance arrangements come in. It is a federal program that supports provinces and territories with the cost of responding to major disasters. It helps make sure that rebuilding can happen and that people are not left to do it alone. Canadians rightly expect that when disasters strike, every order of government will do its part, and that is exactly what we are doing. Let me say this as well.”
“I work with the government operations centre, and we coordinate efforts across departments, like National Defence when the armed forces are called out, Indigenous Services, Transport and Health, to make sure that we are providing the right support at the right time. This response is being coordinated day and night, around the clock. While Saskatchewan has not submitted a formal request for federal assistance yet, we are ready to respond the moment we are asked. In fact, I have already had discussions with Minister McLeod, my counterpart, and I have also had discussions with Mike Ellis in Alberta, before they even asked us, to tell them that we are available for them the moment they need our help. In the meantime, Indigenous Services Canada has stepped in to support affected first nations.”
“They all expressed appreciation for the speed, clarity and flexibility of the federal response. (1905) This is really what effective emergency management looks like: governments at all levels working together to adapt, to act and, above all, to protect people. We are working with the Manitoba and Saskatchewan governments to bolster the support from Canadians who donate through the Red Cross, by matching their donations dollar for dollar. Through this, we will stand with Canadians and assist those impacted by the wildland fires through the Canadian Red Cross wildfires appeals. As Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience, I am overseeing the federal response.”
“Our objective was always the same, to reach people quickly and safely, no matter the method. Resources from the Canadian Armed Forces were brought in from across the country, with the result being one of the largest air evacuation operations in Canadian history. At every stage, we worked in real time with our provincial and indigenous partners to adjust our response to the ever-changing circumstances on the ground. The response was not just fast; it was well coordinated. I have been in regular contact with my provincial counterparts in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, the provinces that were under immediate threat, and we have kept those lines of communication open as the situation evolves. My conversations with ministers Naylor and McLeod were constructive and focused.”
“This was, and still is, a constantly evolving emergency in the case of the first nations, with conditions on the ground changing by the hour. In places like Mathias Colomb Cree Nation, the situation was especially urgent. I do understand the frustration and the fear that are surely felt by community members and leaders when fire conditions worsen and change, but I want to assure the House that we had contingencies at every step, as we always do. When the landing strip could not accommodate larger planes, we had to source smaller ones, so the evacuation was necessarily slower. Large planes like the Hercules could not land at that strip. If fixed-wing aircraft were not an option because of smoke or weather, we could move people by helicopter. If helicopters were not viable, we were looking at boats.”
“I want to be clear: Our government acted swiftly when called upon. On May 28, the Prime Minister spoke with Premier Wab Kinew. That same night, we approved two requests for federal assistance from the Government of Manitoba to help evacuate first nations communities under threat. Canadian Armed Forces members were deployed immediately. They began assisting with evacuations the very next morning. I have heard the concerns raised by the hon. member for Winnipeg Centre , but again I want to be clear that this was not a slow or bureaucratic process. The requests from Manitoba came in late at night. They were approved immediately. This was one of the fastest federal responses in recent memory. By the next morning, Canadian Armed Forces personnel were on the ground, already assisting with evacuations.”
“Coordination between federal officials, the province, indigenous communities and humanitarian organizations is constant, and all partners are meeting every day to ensure that we are doing all we can to keep people safe. I want to express my deep thanks to first responders, firefighters and volunteers, and particularly the Canadian Armed Forces and Coast Guard, who have stepped up and placed themselves in danger to protect others. Their commitment and courage are extraordinary. I also want to recognize the leadership shown by indigenous governments and local officials, particularly in remote communities, where evacuations are so complex and difficult, and resources are so hard to access. This has been an incredibly challenging time, and the leadership on the ground has been essential.”
“Mr. Speaker, I will be sharing my time with the hon. Minister of Indigenous Services . I want to begin by thanking the hon. member for Winnipeg Centre for bringing this important and timely debate forward. Like many Canadians, I have seen the devastating images coming out of Manitoba and Saskatchewan: thick smoke, orange skies, whole communities forced to evacuate and families unsure whether they will have homes to return to. It is frightening, and it is heartbreaking. My thoughts are with everyone who has been displaced and is worried about their homes, health and loved ones. These are difficult times, and the uncertainty is real. Since the early stages of this crisis, I have been working closely with my provincial counterparts to manage the federal response and to make sure help is reaching the people who need it most.”
“Mr. Speaker, I am monitoring the wildfire situation around the clock, and I am in close communication with my provincial counterparts. The Canadian Armed Forces is evacuating first nations and others who are affected by the wildfires. Leaving a home under these circumstances is incredibly difficult, and our government will continue to support and protect all those who are affected by wildfires. There is nothing more important than keeping Canadians safe.”
“Mr. Speaker, I rise for the first time in this House. Our hearts go out to all of the communities that are affected by wildfires from coast to coast to coast. Last night, the Prime Minister and I received a request from the Province of Manitoba seeking airlift evacuation support for two northwestern Manitoba first nations communities, and of course we immediately agreed to that support. There are a number of communities affected by—”