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Finance

Question period exchanges on the government’s finances and the spring economic update. Conservatives said the update adds tens of billions in new debt and interest costs, and asked the government to cut spending so groceries, gas and housing become more affordable. Liberals pointed to a lowered deficit, Canada’s credit rating, expanded disability tax credit support, funding for tax-filing help for vulnerable Canadians, investments in skilled trades jobs, and GM’s investment in St. Catharines auto manufacturing, saying the Conservatives were not supporting auto workers or Canada’s economy.Written by AI from the debate. Updated .

Official text

7 statements

Michael Barrett

Conservative
“The budget adds billions more in debt, and Canadians already have trouble paying for food, gas, and homes. I want the Prime Minister to stop this spending and make life cheaper for Canadians.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, the Liberal Prime Minister’s costly budget is going to add another $37 billion in new debt this year, continuing his Liberal predecessor’s tradition of borrowing and spending. What is worse is that interest alone on the national debt will be an additional $59 billion this year, which is $3,400 for every Canadian, who is already struggling with the rising prices of gas, groceries and housing. The Prime Minister has the opportunity to show that he is not just another Liberal. Will he instead break from type and offer relief and affordability for Canadians?

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Wayne Long

Liberal
“Conservatives keep talking about the past prime minister. The current Prime Minister is focused on helping all Canadians with the economy.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 48 of 100

    None of this answer addressed the specific question that was asked.

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, while the former prime minister lives rent-free in Conservatives’ heads, the current Prime Minister is focused on an economy for all Canadians. That is why in yesterday’s spring economic update, we announced— Some hon. members: Oh, oh!

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Wayne Long

Liberal
“We are helping more people with disabilities qualify for tax relief. We are also funding volunteer programs that file taxes for over a million vulnerable Canadians.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, the former prime minister lives rent-free in all of their heads. The current Prime Minister is focused on building an economy for everyone. In yesterday’s spring economic update, we announced bold changes to the disability tax credit so more Canadians with disabilities can get the support they need. We also reinvested in the community volunteer income tax program, which is run by volunteers. It does taxes for our most vulnerable, over a million Canadians. Of those, 17% have not filed for—

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Michael Barrett

Conservative
“Canadians are struggling because food, gas, and housing cost too much. The government borrows too much money and leaves the debt for future generations. When will the government help Canadians?”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, the reality is that with the Liberal Prime Minister, just like his Liberal predecessor, Canadians are struggling now more than ever. Groceries, gas and homes have never been more expensive. Members do not have to take my word for it. The Globe and Mail said, in a scathing review, “Canada’s New Government is no more interested in arresting our economic decline than Canada’s Old Government.” We should be the richest and most affordable country on earth, but instead the Liberals are borrowing today and making Canadians of future generations pay it back. Why will the Liberals not deliver relief?

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Evan Solomon

Liberal
“Canada has a top credit rating and we cut the deficit by $11.5 billion. We are spending that money to create 100,000 skilled trade jobs. The Conservatives should support our plan to build and buy in Canada instead of criticizing our country.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, these guys will find any excuse to talk down Canada and talk down investing in Canada, even in a trade war. Our credit rating is the highest in the world. We have just lowered the deficit by $11.5 billion, and we are using that money to invest in Canadians. We are making the largest investments in the skilled trades in our history: 100,000 jobs in the skilled trades. The Conservatives should support it. Our plan is simple, and I will put it simply: build in Canada, buy in Canada, believe in Canada.

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Michael Guglielmin

Conservative
“The Liberals are spending too much money and adding to the national debt. Paying interest on this debt takes money away from housing, health care, and tax relief. I want the Prime Minister to cut spending so life is more affordable for Canadians.”

  • A repeated line

    “When will the Liberal Prime Minister end his costly budgeting so Canadians can afford to live?”

    Said 13 times by 12 members since April 28.

    Every time it was said
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, the Liberals claimed that in their latest update they would show discipline. Instead, Canadians got more debt, more spending and more of the same. The deficits are now projected to be double Trudeau’s and as debt rises, taxpayers pay the price. Public debt charges are predicted to be more than $54 billion this year, rising to $81 billion in five years. That is money that cannot go to tax relief, cannot go to housing and cannot go to health care. It is no wonder that The Globe and Mail said it is a bit rich for the finance minister to be claiming fiscal responsibility. When will the Liberal Prime Minister end his costly budgeting so Canadians can afford to live?

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Mélanie Joly

Liberal
“Our budget supports auto workers. The Conservatives do not defend them. GM is investing over $690 million in St. Catharines to build new engines. Our plan is working.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 34 of 100

    None of this answer addressed the specific question that was asked.

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, what is a bit rich is the fact that the Conservatives are not defending our auto workers. This spring economic update is all about our auto strategy and supporting our 5,000 auto workers, including those working in the parts sector of the auto sector. I have good news today. GM just announced, in St. Catharines, more than $690 million of investments in the next generation of engines. This is our plan working.

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