A debate on a Conservative motion to lower fuel prices and costs of living. The Conservatives said the government isn't doing enough to help Canadians struggling with high gas prices and inflation. The Bloc accused both the Liberals and Conservatives of being too pro-oil. The Liberals touted their existing affordability measures and accused the Conservatives of failing to support them.
“I'm filling time by listing random things my party has done. We did one small thing to lower gas prices, but I'm going to change the subject. I don't want to answer her real challenge. I'm trying to put the responsibility on her to ask the provinces for something, so I can avoid saying why we didn't do it ourselves.”
“Don't say oil prices were the same in 2014. That's not true. Oil prices changed a lot that year. High oil inventories made gas prices low, not taxes. Now, about help for families - should it go to everyone, even the rich? Or only to those who need it most?”
“I want Canadians to know we're doing a lot to help with the cost of living. We've cut some taxes and raised some benefits. I think these targeted measures really help people. We're doing better than a lot of other countries. The opposition should vote for our bills so we can keep spending money to help Canadians.”
“I want Bill C-30 to pass so I can claim my party is helping families. I need the Bloc vote. I'm saying nice things about Quebec to get it. I will talk a lot about how hard life is. I want you to support more spending, not just ask questions.”
“I want the Minister of Finance to say nice things about our programs. I will talk about how we spent money to help families, even if it is not in the topic. I want to look like I care. The Conservatives are bad because they didn't vote for more spending. I want more spending.”
“I want to reply by talking about nice things our party did, to make us look caring and the Conservatives look uncaring. I want to list many expensive programs we voted for as if that's proof we are helping. I want people to know I care about what they want. I'm going to talk a lot about how we spent money so that maybe people will think we're doing something good.”
“I want to look good too, so I'll praise my colleague for speaking two languages. Now, to answer his challenge: my party already temporarily suspended some gas tax and we spent money on other programs. We did our part -- it's not our fault most of the gas price is from global oil markets.”
“I want to cheer that the Bloc will vote with us against the Conservatives. I want to say the Conservatives are wrong about gas prices. Do you like our grocery benefit? We named it something new and we say it's well-targeted.”
“You say you want action on affordability, but you vote against our actions. Here's a good example. We made a permanent national food program for our schools. Do you think it's bad that we feed children?”
“I understand why people are worried about high gas prices. But high prices are not the government's fault. Oil prices are high everywhere, not just in Canada. Cutting gas taxes would just help rich people.”
“I want a national food program so the government can feed 400,000 children. I don't trust Conservatives' numbers on gas prices. Conservatives say extreme things to make people angry. The government is helping with affordability. The government made a tax break for the middle class, eliminated GST for first-time homebuyers, and is sending out money in June.”
“I want Conservatives to agree with me that my program will fix affordability. It's bad if they don't say my program is good. My program will help people. Conservatives should say my program is good.”
“I want my party to get credit for cutting a tax. I'm filling time listing why I think it helps ordinary people. The Bloc should support this policy like other countries do.”
