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The Economy

During question period on the economy, Conservative members said Canada is the only G7 country in a recession, citing job losses of over 112,000 this year, high food inflation and food bank use, and asked why the Prime Minister has not resolved trade problems with the United States; one also requested an emergency debate on the government’s plan. Liberal ministers responded that the economy is heavily integrated with the United States and facing unjustified American tariffs, and said the government is working with provinces and territories, building major projects, diversifying trade with non-U.S. countries, and offering supports such as the groceries and essentials benefit. Much of the exchange involved Quebec-based members on both sides.Written by AI from the debate. Updated .

Official text

10 statements

Pierre Paul-Hus

Conservative
“Canada is the only G7 country in a recession, and we have lost over 112,000 jobs this year. The Prime Minister misled Canadians about our economy. Why did he lead us into this recession?”

  • A repeated line

    “Canada is the only G20 country in a recession.”

    Said 104 times by 61 members since May 29.

    Every time it was said
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, Canada is the only G7 country that is in a recession. However, just a few days ago, the Prime Minister was bragging that Canada is the second-strongest economy in the G7. It is clear that he misled Canadians. Meanwhile, 112,300 jobs have been lost since the beginning of the year. Canada now has the second-highest unemployment rate in the G7. Other countries are facing the same tariffs and the same international crises. Why is the Prime Minister the only G7 leader to have led his country into a Liberal recession?

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Dominic LeBlanc

Liberal
“We are working with the provinces and territories to protect Canadian workers and industries from unfair American tariffs. We are also building major projects to strengthen our economy, just as voters asked us to do.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 41 of 100

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

    See full analysis
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, as my colleagues clearly explained, our government is working to protect the industries and workers who are facing unjustified tariffs from the United States. We are, of course, doing this with our partners in the provinces and territories. In last year’s election, Canadians gave us a mandate to build a more resilient economy and to pursue major projects for Canada’s economic future. That is exactly what we are doing across the country. Canadians are proud of the Prime Minister’s work.

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Pierre Paul-Hus

Conservative
“Canada is in a recession, the Prime Minister has not fixed our problems with Donald Trump, and Quebec has lost 87,000 jobs this year. I want an emergency debate to hear the government's plan to fix this.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, the minister is right: The Liberals received a mandate, but they are not fulfilling their mandate. The proof is that we are currently in a recession. Furthermore, the Prime Minister swore he was the only one capable of resolving the problem with Donald Trump. A year and a half later, absolutely nothing has been resolved. Meanwhile, 87,000 jobs were lost in Quebec during the first four months of 2026. Nearly half of those were lost in the construction and manufacturing sectors. The Conservatives are requesting an emergency debate because we want to know what the plan is. Instead of listening to all sorts of nonsense, can we have an emergency debate to find out what the government’s plan really is and see if we can help?

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Dominic LeBlanc

Liberal
“All members of Parliament should work with the government to fight American tariffs. We want to work with the opposition to protect Canadian workers and businesses.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 45 of 100

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

    See full analysis

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Clarity 42 of 100

    Much of this statement used imprecise wording, lacked details on timing or responsibility, or made broad claims without support.

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, every parliamentarian can help the government and Canadians support industries and workers and come together to counter the tariffs imposed by the U.S. government. We are always looking for positive contributions from members of Parliament across the House of Commons and at the other place. We are always happy to work with the member who asked this question, as well as with all of his colleagues in the opposition, because we are here to support Canadians.

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Gérard Deltell

Conservative
“Canada is the only G7 country in a recession. We have the worst food inflation and the second-highest unemployment in the G7. Why is our economy doing worse than other major countries under this Prime Minister?”

  • A repeated line

    “Canada is the only G20 country in a recession.”

    Said 104 times by 61 members since May 29.

    Every time it was said
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, unfortunately, the sad reality for Canadians is that Canada is in a recession. Canada is the only G7 country in a recession. Canada has the worst food inflation in the G7 and the second-highest unemployment rate in the G7. That is the reality. That is the result of Canada’s Liberal Prime Minister, who was supposed to be an economic magician. In the end, it is not working. Why is the Liberal Prime Minister’s Canada in a recession when the other G7 countries are not?

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Joël Lightbound

Liberal
“Unfair American tariffs are hurting our economy. We are protecting Canadians by uniting our own economy, trading with new countries, and building major projects like high-speed rail and better ports.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, I think Canadians know why. They are well aware that Canada’s economy is one of the most highly integrated with the American economy and that we are facing headwinds and disruptions because of the illegal and unjustified tariffs imposed by the Americans. That being said, the reason Canadians chose this government is because a lot of things remain within our control. For example, we can build one Canadian economy. That could potentially add $215 billion to the GDP. That is what we are doing. We can build major projects. Examples that come to mind include high-speed rail between Quebec City and Toronto, expanded port infrastructure and market diversification. That is exactly what we are doing to support Canadians.

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Gérard Deltell

Conservative
“The Liberal government is hurting our economy. One in three families cannot pay their mortgage, millions need food banks, and Canada has lost 112,000 jobs. Why are we the only G7 country in a recession?”

  • A repeated line

    “Why is Canada the only G7 country in a recession?”

    Said 16 times by 13 members since May 29.

    Every time it was said
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, that is all well and good, but the problem is that it is not working. One in three families is struggling to pay their mortgage every month. That is what the Liberal government has done to Canadians. Some 2.2 million Canadians are going to food banks every month. That is the way things are under the Liberal government and the economist turned Prime Minister. Some 112,000 jobs have been lost. Every country in the world is facing economic crises and threats from Mr. Trump, so why is Canada the only G7 country in a recession?

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Joël Lightbound

Liberal
“Our economy relies a lot on the United States, but we are selling more to other countries. Over the past year, our sales to countries other than the U.S. went up by almost 40 percent. This is happening because we are signing trade and security deals around the world.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, as I mentioned in my previous response, the Canadian economy is far more integrated with that of the United States. However, here is what I have noted when looking at the past year. As a result of government initiatives and efforts made by Canadians, we have increased our non‑U.S. exports by nearly 40% over the past year. That is a major shift. It is because we are signing trade agreements, security agreements and agreements on critical minerals around the world. That is what Canadians expect. That is exactly what we are doing.

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Bernard Généreux

Conservative
“Canada is the only G7 country in a recession, and families are going hungry. If this problem is worldwide, why is it only happening to Canada?”

  • Opposition question in Question Period

    Signal 39 of 100

    Much of this statement went to praise, blame, greetings, routine procedure or general stories rather than reasons, requests or specific points.

    See full analysis

  • A repeated line

    “Canada is the only G20 country in a recession.”

    Said 104 times by 61 members since May 29.

    Every time it was said
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, Canada is the only G7 country in a recession. The Liberal recession is not just a graph. It is parents standing silently in front of an empty fridge when the children ask what is for dinner. It is watching children go to school on an empty stomach when our food banks can no longer provide. If the crisis is global, as the Liberal government claims, why are our communities the only ones suffering, unlike all the other ones in the G7?

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Nathalie Provost

Liberal

Linked statement

“Our programs are helping Canadians with food and daily costs. We are creating jobs and bringing in business. Despite what other members say, our plan is working and Canadians support us.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 91 of 100

    Of this answer, 94% addressed the question that was asked.

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, “it is not working”. We hear that every day: “It is not working”. However, in La Presse a few weeks ago, journalist Marie‑Eve Fournier quoted a research chair who said that it is working. The Canada groceries and essentials benefit is working. Food Banks Canada says that it is working. We are working to help Canadians in their everyday lives. We are working to create jobs. That is true in my hon. colleague’s riding. We are attracting investors. It is working. Just because other members say that it is not working does not mean that, in reality, Canadians are not behind us. They are there, and they support us.

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