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Finance

In question period on finance, Conservative member Luc Berthold asked the government to stop borrowing and spending, saying the Liberals have added one trillion dollars to the national debt over ten years and that this debt leads to higher taxes, higher grocery, housing and gas prices, and less money for families. Industry Minister Mélanie Joly responded for the government, saying Canada is in a tariff war and the government is supporting sectors such as auto, copper, aluminum and steel, including $1.5 billion in new investments announced that morning while cutting government operating costs. She also said Canada has the second-highest economic growth among G7 countries and the strongest financial position in the G7, and that the government is sticking to its economic plan. Berthold followed up by repeating his call for the government to stop spending, citing affordability pressures.Written by AI from the debate. Updated .

Official text

4 statements

Luc Berthold

Conservative

Linked statement

“The Liberals have added one trillion dollars to the national debt over ten years. This debt leads to higher taxes and leaves families with less money. I want the Prime Minister to stop borrowing money so Canadians can afford to live.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, one trillion is the number one followed by 12 zeros, or 1,000,000,000,000. The Liberals have added $1 trillion to the national credit card in 10 years. More zeros mean more debt. More debt means higher taxes. Higher taxes mean less money in families’ pockets. When will the Prime Minister, who is just another Liberal, stop adding zeroes to the national credit card so that Canadians can make ends meet?

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Mélanie Joly

Liberal
“We are supporting Canadian industries during this tariff war. Today we announced 1.5 billion dollars in new investments to help our economy grow, while also cutting government operating costs. Our plan is working.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 44 of 100

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

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, my colleague seems to have forgotten the extent to which we are in a tariff war and he refuses to recognize how much we have been there to support the auto sector, the copper sector, the aluminum sector and the steel sector. Quebec welcomed the announcement we made this morning regarding our $1-billion investment through the Business Development Bank of Canada and our $500-million investment in our regional economic development agencies. My colleague must recognize that we have reduced the government’s operating expenses while still making investments. These investments are driving economic growth. In short, our plan is working, and we stand by it.

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Luc Berthold

Conservative
“The government is spending too much money and adding to the national debt. This makes food, housing, and gas cost more. I want the Prime Minister to stop spending so much.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, add another zero for the minister’s answer. When a student gets nothing but zeros, they fail. This Liberal government is racking up zeros, and Canadians are paying the price for its failure. What is the result? Grocery prices are skyrocketing, housing is unaffordable, and gas costs a fortune because the Liberal Prime Minister is racking up debt like there is no tomorrow. However, tomorrow it will be our children who will have to pay off this debt, along with the interest that comes with it. Will the Prime Minister, who is just another costly Liberal, finally put an end to his costly budgets funded by the national credit card?

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Mélanie Joly

Liberal
“Canada has the second highest economic growth and the strongest financial position among G7 countries. Our economic plan is working, and we are sticking to it.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 29 of 100

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

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  • Government answer in Question Period

    Respect 79 of 100

    This statement targeted a person rather than their actions or views: “I give my colleague 100% for following his leader's instructions.”.

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  • A repeated line

    “We have the strongest fiscal position in the G7.”

    Said 7 times by 7 members since April 30.

    Every time it was said
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, I give my colleague 100% for following his leader’s instructions. He just had to read the question he is asking us today. He is full of jokes this morning. We are going to give him a little lesson on the numbers. Right now, Canada’s economic growth is the second highest among the G7 countries. We also have the strongest fiscal position in the G7. Those are the numbers. Those are the facts. We have a solid plan, and we are going to stand by it.

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