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Employment

During question period on employment, Liberals pointed to recent job gains of 88,000 in May, rising consumer spending, wages outpacing inflation, and the CRA beginning payments of the enhanced groceries and essentials benefit, saying these show the government’s economic plan is helping families. The Conservatives argued that people are struggling to afford basics, citing a contractor in Renfrew-area member Cheryl Gallant’s riding who has almost no work booked because households cannot afford home repairs, and asked whether the government would admit Canada is in a recession.Written by AI from the debate. Updated .

Official text

4 statements

Kristina Tesser Derksen

Liberal
“More people have jobs, and the government is sending families extra money for groceries. How is our economic plan helping Canadians now and in the future?”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, last Friday, families in my riding of Milton East—Halton Hills South woke up to good news. May’s labour force survey showed robust job gains, which is a promising sign that our economic plan is bearing fruit. Also, the CRA began issuing payments under our government’s enhanced Canada groceries and essentials benefit, which is equal to a 50% increase over the previous GST credit. Can the Secretary of State for the CRA and Financial Institutions update this House on how our economic plan is setting a long-term trajectory for growth and resilience, while also making life more affordable for Canadians here and now?

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Wayne Long

Liberal

Linked statement

“Our government started sending out money to help people buy groceries and essentials. This helps families and strengthens the economy, which added 88,000 jobs last month.”

  • A repeated line

    “We are going to build Canada strong.”

    Said 33 times by 14 members since April 24.

    Every time it was said
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, the member for Milton East—Halton Hills South’s question is another great one today. Last week in Halifax, I was proud to announce that the CRA began issuing the top-up groceries and essentials benefit. By introducing that benefit, we are going to build a strong Canada. We are going to support families. We are going to build a strong economy. We see evidence of that with 88,000 jobs created just last month. The glass is half empty; the Conservatives are going to talk down our economy. We are going to build Canada strong.

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Cheryl Gallant

Conservative
“A contractor in my area has almost no work because people cannot afford home repairs. Will the Prime Minister admit that Canada is in a recession?”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, Bill from the valley is a home renovation contractor. He called me to tell me that, by the end of May, he is usually fully booked for the entire season. It is June, and he has just two projects booked. People are more worried about putting food on the table than about fixing a leaky roof or a broken porch. He thinks he may have to take on an extra line of work. Will the Prime Minister tell Bill that Canada is in a recession, or is he going to tell Bill that he is just technically running out of work to do?

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Ryan Turnbull

Liberal
“The economy is doing well. People are spending more, and pay is rising faster than costs. Canada also added 88,000 new jobs in May, which is far more than expected.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 96 of 100

    Of this answer, 95% addressed the question that was asked.

    See full analysis

  • A repeated line

    “That is good news for Canadians.”

    Said 5 times by 2 members since May 4.

    Every time it was said
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, there are many signs of progress in the Canadian economy. There is a 1.5% increase in consumer spending, and GDP per capita is up almost 1%. Wages have outpaced inflation, and the new May job numbers came out just last Friday. I know the Conservatives want to completely and wilfully ignore those numbers, but there are 88,000 net new jobs in the Canadian economy, 800% beyond expectations and recovering 80% of the job losses due to the tariff threats from the United States. That is good news for Canada. We are building the foundations.

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