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The Economy

During Question Period on the economy, Conservative members said Canada is the only G20 country in a recession, citing shrinking GDP, weak bank growth forecasts, declining business investment, and affordability worries, and repeatedly asked the Prime Minister to acknowledge the recession. Liberal members replied that the economy is resilient, pointing to 88,000 jobs added in May, wages outpacing inflation, strong Alberta employment growth, and supports helping millions with essentials, and said the Conservatives were amplifying bad news. A portion of the Liberal responses also commented on the Conservatives asking the same question.Written by AI from the debate. Updated .

Official text

10 statements

Sandra Cobena

Conservative
“Canada's economy is in bad shape and is shrinking. I want the government to admit that we are in a 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 G20 country in a recession, and the state of the economy is dire. The economy has shrunk three out of the last four quarters, per capita GDP shows annualized growth of only 0.2% per year over the last seven years, capital investment has declined for five quarters in a row and bankruptcies have hit rates not seen since 2009. At what point do the Liberals stop calling these technicalities and start admitting that Canadians were promised growth and fiscal responsibility but got a recession instead?

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Ryan Turnbull

Liberal
“Canadians should be hopeful about the economy. Spending is up, wages are beating inflation, and the country added 88,000 jobs in May.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 30 of 100

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

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  • Government answer in Question Period

    Signal 38 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
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, it is times like this that remind me of the famous pragmatic philosopher William James, who famously said, “Pessimism leads to weakness, optimism to power.” Perhaps there is no quote that could better explain the misfortunes of the Conservative Party of Canada in the House. However, let us be honest. Despite the headwinds, there is much to be optimistic about in the Canadian economy: 1.5% in consumer spending, wages outpacing inflation every month this government has been in power and 88,000 jobs in May. That is 800—

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Sandra Cobena

Conservative
“Canada is in a recession, and banks predict very low economic growth this year. People are losing jobs and businesses, and many cannot afford their mortgages. Will the Prime Minister admit this recession is real?”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, if denial could grow the economy, we would certainly be leading in the G20. Canada is in a recession. Scotiabank has forecast growth of just 0.8% and BMO 0.5% for this year. The Bank of Canada warns that one in 10 homeowners in Toronto might not be able to renew their mortgage. While the Liberals may try to dismiss this recession, Canadians cannot ignore losing their jobs and businesses or delaying retirement. Will the Prime Minister acknowledge these recessionary conditions Canadians are facing are real, or are those just technicalities too?

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Ryan Turnbull

Liberal
“The Conservatives only talk about bad economic news. Our government is helping 12 million people buy food and essentials, and Canada just added 88,000 new jobs.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 18 of 100

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

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  • Government answer in Question Period

    Signal 38 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
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, I want Canadians to realize what the Conservatives choose to spend their time on in a time of great anxiety and uncertainty. They choose to amplify bad news in our economy. They choose to be pessimistic at a time when Canadians need optimism. Canadians need a government that lifts them up. That is what our government is doing by investing in 12 million Canadians with the groceries and essentials benefit. We are celebrating 88,000 new jobs in the Canadian economy, exceeding expectations by 800%. That is the kind of government Canadians deserve. They deserve much better—

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Jeff Kibble

Conservative
“Canada is in a recession under this Prime Minister. Workers tell me they cannot afford food, and the government's grocery rebate leaves out people working full time. I want the Prime Minister to take this seriously and help Canadians afford to eat.”

  • 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, under the Liberal Prime Minister, Canada is the only G20 country in a recession, and in the past few days, we have learned much more about how dire the state of our economy is under his watch. On Saturday night, in a Lake Cowichan pub, workers told me their biggest worry was affording groceries, but the Liberals’ recycled grocery stunt cuts off at only $59,000 for a couple, meaning that full-time workers are shut out. The Prime Minister laughed at suffering Canadians in this House last week. Will he stop laughing and start caring so that Canadians can afford to eat?

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Stephanie McLean

Liberal
“Canada's economy is doing better than many other countries. Our economy is stable, we are creating jobs, and we are helping Canadians. The Conservatives are just trying to scare people.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, Canadians deserve facts, not Conservative fear. Labelling the economy without context does not help workers or businesses. The Bank of Canada has, in fact, cautioned against doing that. Economies around the world are facing global uncertainty, but Canada is weathering these global headwinds better than many of our peers. Our economy is stable, jobs are being created and we continue to support Canadians through these headwinds. We will remain focused on affordability, economic growth and supporting jobs, while the Conservatives remain focused on fearmongering.

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Amarjeet Gill

Conservative
“Canada's economy is shrinking, businesses are struggling, and young people cannot afford homes or jobs. I want the Prime Minister to admit we are in a 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, under the Liberal Prime Minister, Canada is the only G20 country in a recession. The economy has shrunk for two straight quarters, and in three of the last four quarters. Productivity is declining. Businesses are struggling. Families are working hard and unable to get ahead. Young people feel locked out of jobs, housing and starting a family. Canada’s economy is getting worse, not better. Will the Prime Minister tell us if we are in a recession, or does he believe Canadians are only technically struggling to pay their bills?

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Adam van Koeverden

Liberal
“The Conservatives keep asking the exact same question. The truth is that Canada's economy is growing. We have a higher employment rate than the United States, and we added 88,000 jobs last month.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Signal 25 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
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, it seems that the Conservatives’ photocopier is out of toner, because they have all received the exact same photocopy of the exact same question. It is too bad that the Conservative leader does not trust his MPs to ask an original question. Perhaps they might ask about their local businesses or something that is happening in their own province. It is the same question over and again. We have to stick to the facts. Canada’s economy is growing. In fact, Canada has surpassed the U.S. when it comes to having a higher employment rate. The Canadian economy, because Canadians are working hard, added 88,000 jobs in the last month. We have a plan and we are working hard to make sure that Canadians are getting ahead.

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Amanpreet Gill

Conservative

Linked statement

“Canada's economy is shrinking, and businesses are not investing here. I want the Prime Minister to admit that we are in a recession.”

  • A repeated line

    “The first step to fixing a problem is acknowledging that there is one.”

    Said 4 times by 3 members since June 4.

    Every time it was said
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, under the Liberal Prime Minister, Canada has become the only country in the G20 in a recession. Businesses are no longer investing in Canada. Even the banks have lost faith. Scotiabank and BMO are projecting growth at less than half of that of the United States. The first step to fixing any problem is admitting that there is one. Will the Liberal Prime Minister admit to Canadians that we are in a recession, or will he continue to tell them they are only technically suffering after a decade of Liberal rule?

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Eleanor Olszewski

Liberal
“Alberta has added 104,000 jobs since last year, which is the most of any province. Conservatives should stop speaking poorly of Alberta and praise the hard work of its people and businesses.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, my colleague from Alberta on the Conservative benches must have missed the latest job numbers for our province. Employment in Alberta is up 104,000 compared to this time last year. It is the strongest year-over-year jobs growth of any province. This is thanks to resilient Alberta workers and businesses that are building, hiring, investing and helping to drive Canada’s economy forward. Conservatives from Alberta should stop talking down their own constituents and acknowledge the work they are doing to build a better economy.

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