QUESTION PERIOD — Finance
Budget 2025
November 6, 2025
Leader, in the budget tabled this week, the government is planning a new $51-billion fund over 10 years for provincial infrastructure.
If we look just at Quebec, that represents $375 million per year. Right now, Quebec is investing $19 billion per year in infrastructure, so the federal government’s contribution will amount to only 1.9% of needs. It is easy to see why the Quebec finance minister, Eric Girard, said that he is dissatisfied with the federal budget. Worse still, leader, are you aware that Quebec’s $19-billion investments are generating several billion in direct and indirect tax revenue for the federal government? That means that the $375 million that the government is giving Quebec represents only a tiny drop in the giant bucket of what it is receiving.
I see you had a question on your cue cards, senator. You left out part of the quote from Quebec’s finance minister, Mr. Girard. He concluded his remarks by saying that the federal government had exercised caution because of the uncertain times we are currently experiencing.
I think the federal government was very clear when it tabled the budget. The Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance indicated that, at a time of global uncertainty, the government needs to focus on what it can control. What did the government do? It tabled a budget that will stimulate the economy and, with the help of the provinces, municipalities and the private sector, could attract up to $1 trillion in investment. That is unprecedented in the history of budgets in Canada, and certainly not a lesson we could have learned from the budgets tabled by the federal government when you were part of the government, senator.
Leader, you’re criticizing the Conservative government; do you still have your Conservative Party membership card? People often say that a picture is worth a thousand words. If we consider nothing but the investments that are needed for the Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital’s much-needed renovations, the latest estimates put the budget at $5 billion.
Based on this example, leader, would you agree with Minister Girard, who says he’s not satisfied? I would add that the $375 million is an insult.
I completely disagree that it’s an insult. The federal government has voiced its intention to cooperate with the provinces and municipalities, in the health sector and others, by transferring large sums of money and investing in infrastructure.
Yesterday, senator, you rose to criticize us for spending too much, and today, you say that we’re not spending enough. Fortunately, there is no Question Period tomorrow or your third position could be very uncomfortable.
