44th Parl. 1st Sess.
May 29, 2023 11:00AM
- May/29/23 2:31:59 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the answer, absolutely, is yes. We will ensure that the deal goes forward. We will ensure that the jobs will stay in Canada. That is why we have a $120-billion clean economy plan.
What else will we ensure? We are going to ensure that Ontario pays its fair share, because this is an investment in a particular province, and we know Canada is a country of regions and regional equity is really important. We are going to ensure that the company comes forward with a reasonable offer as well.
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- May/29/23 7:12:02 p.m.
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Madam Chair, the point is that, in the 21st century, the world is building a clean economy. The Conservatives are in denial about that. That is a disservice to all—
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- May/29/23 7:12:22 p.m.
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Madam Chair, I will tell members some important rankings. TD judged our green economy plan—
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- May/29/23 7:12:42 p.m.
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Madam Chair, TD judged that our climate plan in the 2023 budget would put us at par with the United States and ahead of the rest of the world as a green economy investment destination.
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- May/29/23 7:20:39 p.m.
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Madam Chair, the important question is this: How much will Canadians, including Quebeckers, lose without a plan to create a green economy?
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- May/29/23 7:25:28 p.m.
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Madam Chair, the people who are happy are Canada's workers, who will have good jobs thanks to investments in our green economy.
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- May/29/23 7:39:55 p.m.
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Mr. Chair, our government understands that there is a window of opportunity right now to be the country where the clean economy of the 21st century is built. That window is open today, but it will not be open forever. That is why, in our budget, we announced really significant investments in the clean economy. Our total clean economy investment is about $120 billion.
As I said earlier, TD Economics now ranks Canada head to head with the U.S. as the world's most attractive clean economy investment destination. That is really important today and it is really important for tomorrow.
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- May/29/23 7:48:57 p.m.
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Mr. Chair, I want to remind the House, but especially my Bloc colleague, that during the pandemic, the government put an additional $27 billion into the EI system to offset all the expenses the system had to incur. The federal government supported our EI system.
I can also say that what Canadians want is a strong economy and jobs. That is the most important thing. Our government and our country are in a really good position today when it comes to—
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- May/29/23 7:52:01 p.m.
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Mr. Chair, our government absolutely understands the importance of climate action and investing in a green economy. That is what we have done.
With the budget, we now have a $120‑billion plan to create a clean economy. Today, we are seeing that we have really started to attract investments. We are also seeing that emissions are coming down. Our plan is working.
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- May/29/23 8:23:43 p.m.
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Mr. Chair, I am always excited to hear my hon. colleague speak, and I would like to ask him about the visitor economy. How important is this sector to every riding in every part of our country from coast to coast to coast? I know our government has been there. Could my colleague touch on the investments that we have made to support this incredible tourism industry and the visitor economy?
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- May/29/23 8:24:45 p.m.
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Mr. Chair, when I was on city council, Sault Ste. Marie declared itself the North American alternative energy capital. We have now started talking about green and clean, but the federal government has made investments in solar and wind; in fact, it made one of the largest investments into a private company called Algoma Steel, with $420 million to get it from a coal-based process to an electric arc process. That is generational in funding. It is like taking a million cars off the road.
I am particularly interested in this budget. The minister talked about the tax credits for businesses, but could he expand on the benefits for workers, in particular, prevailing wages for workers who are working in the clean, green economy?
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- May/29/23 8:37:06 p.m.
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Mr. Chair, the key number there is per capita. The growth rate is 0.8% over the last 10 years. That is the worst since the Great Depression.
We have record-high deficits. We have record-high debt. We have a slowing economy and record-low economic growth. This is very disappointing.
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- May/29/23 8:55:53 p.m.
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Mr. Chair, I thank my colleague for her very important question.
She is obviously right. The fact that Canada's electricity is green is a major advantage in terms of investments.
Today, we produce 83% of our electricity with renewable energy, but we need to produce more green electricity. We are talking about it with investors. It is a priority. That is why our budget really focused on this very important objective.
As I said, investors agree that with the investments in this budget, Canada is truly the most attractive place for investments in the clean economy.
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- May/29/23 8:57:57 p.m.
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Mr. Chair, it is with our $120-billion clean economy plan.
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- May/29/23 9:00:52 p.m.
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Mr. Chair, Canada's debt-to-GDP ratio went up during COVID, and that was natural. We did an important job in supporting Canadians and the Canadian economy. It was the right thing—
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- May/29/23 9:14:15 p.m.
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Mr. Chair, it is great to be back here on a Monday for the restart of Parliament after the week-long break.
I would like to comment briefly before I begin my formal remarks by saying that, ever since 2015, and going through the pandemic onto today, we continue to put in place measures that build a strong economy, not only for today but also for future generations, including my children, who are at home tonight. Many of the parents here this evening, whether they are inside the House or outside the House, know full well that our government has put in place many policy measures that lead to a better future for their children. That is what this is all about. That is why we got elected, and that is what we ran on. That is what we will continue to do for all Canadians. We will make sure they have a bright future in front of them and their families.
It is a pleasure to participate today in this debate in committee of the whole in the House of Commons.
Today, I would like to speak about the measures that our government is introducing to make life more affordable and to strengthen our health care system across the country.
Our last budget, which was presented in the spring, is a Canadian plan for a strong middle class, an affordable economy and a prosperous future. In this budget, our government has proposed many measures, in particular to make life more affordable across the country and to strengthen our health care system.
For example, our government is introducing a targeted support measure that will continue to help 11 million Canadians who truly need it.
For the folks at home tonight who need it the most, we will make sure to have their backs, always.
One good example of our government's targeted support is the grocery rebate. It is quite clear. We go to to the grocery store and, like all Canadians, we see that food prices are constantly rising. As a result, too many Canadians are struggling to make ends meet.
In the context of global inflation and price increases, our government believes that it is important to now give a helping hand to those who need it most. We want them to be able to continue putting food on the table and paying their bills.
Like all Canadians, I believe that, more than ever, we must be compassionate with those struggling. Approximately 11 million low-income people and families in the country will receive the grocery rebate.
On July 5, residents in my riding of Vaughan—Woodbridge and across Canada, from coast to coast to coast, will receive the grocery rebate, and I know it will help millions of Canadians. That is what our government is about.
This one-time payment will help them cope with the increased cost of living. I have spoken with people in my riding of Vaughan—Woodbridge, and I can confirm that this is a long-awaited measure for many people in great need.
The grocery rebate consists of up to $467 more for eligible couples with two children, up to $234 more for single individuals without children, and an average of $225 more for seniors.
Also, we will soon begin the automatic advance payments of the Canada workers benefit. This benefit has already helped lift thousands of Canadians out of poverty.
The Canada workers benefit is one of the great things our government, three times now, has strengthened and improved for millions and millions of Canadians, and we know those working hard, pulling them out—
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- May/29/23 9:27:10 p.m.
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Mr. Chair, our government, since 2015, has concentrated many efforts on fighting climate change and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, which are both important, while growing the economy. Yes, the environment and the economy go hand in hand, and we know Canada is blessed with the human capital and natural resources for the companies and workers to be champions in the economies of today and tomorrow as we transition to new technologies.
Our government has put in place a number of measures that not only respond to the Inflation Reduction Act, but also lead the act, because we know the IRA was in response to the environment, and we as Canadians and our government are already there putting in place measures to help this transition and lower greenhouse gases.
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- May/29/23 9:28:15 p.m.
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Mr. Chair, that is another really important question from the member for Vaughan—Woodbridge.
The reality is we need climate action for two reasons. We need it because we have to act. We need to save our planet. Canada is literally burning, and we need to respond.
We also need it because the jobs of the future will be in the clean economy, and we simply cannot sit on our hands and allow other countries to eat Canada's lunch.
Our government is not going to do that. That is why I am so glad that our $120-billion clean economy plan is receiving such positive reviews from investors around the world.
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- May/29/23 10:02:28 p.m.
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Madam Chair, I thank my colleague for her question, which is truly important.
These credits for investing in electricity are truly key to the creation of a green economy. As my colleague opposite understands very well, we will need much more electricity than we need at present. Canada has a great advantage: it has a green electricity.
I will continue—
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- May/29/23 10:06:41 p.m.
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Madam Chair, I am glad to hear that the minister somewhat agrees with us. We would like to define the terms “subsidies” and “clean technologies”.
Of the $80 billion planned over 10 years, can the minister tell us how much will be invested in Quebec's green economy?
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