The Economy

During question period on the economy, Conservatives said Canada has been in recession for three of the last four quarters, that affordability has worsened, that thousands of Canadians have turned to GoFundMe campaigns for basic needs, and that government taxes and spending are to blame; they asked the government to reverse these policies and cancel spending. Liberal ministers replied that Canada has recorded its highest foreign direct investment and second-fastest growth in the G7, pointed to investments in housing, LNG projects and jobs, and cited programs such as the groceries and essentials benefit, dental care and the Canada child benefit, noting that Conservatives voted against those measures. Some Conservative questions also criticized the Prime Minister’s spending on travel.Written by AI from the debate. Updated .

Official text (opens in a new tab)

6 statements

François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Finance and National Revenue

Liberal
“Canada's economy is doing well. We brought in a record amount of foreign investment in 2025, and our growth is second in the G7. We are spending money on housing, building projects, and defence.”
  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 42 of 100

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

    See full analysis
  • 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, I can see on the Conservatives’ faces today that they are not very happy, but let me bring them good news, because the country wants good news. In fact, in 2025, Canada received the highest level of foreign direct investment. That is Canada. We have the second-fastest growth in the G7. We have made generational investments in housing, infrastructure, productivity, innovation and defence. We are going to build Canada strong. Let them get on board. We are going to build this country.

François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Finance and National Revenue

Liberal
“Canadians care about the high cost of rent, food, and gas. We took action by spending money on cheap housing, sending grocery payments to 12 million people, and cutting the tax on fuel.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, Canadians do not want another clip. They do not want just another question. They want action. That is exactly what we have done on this side of the House. Canadians are concerned about the cost of rent, the cost of food and the cost of gas. That is exactly what we have tackled. We have made record investments in affordable housing, we have just sent the groceries benefit to more than 12 million Canadians and we have suspended the excise fuel tax on gas. We understand what Canadians want, and we will deliver for Canadians. Every day is a good day to fight for Canadians.

François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Finance and National Revenue

Liberal
“The Conservatives did not support our programs to help Canadians with the cost of food, child care, and raising children. We were there to help people, but they were not.”
  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 0 of 100

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

    See full analysis
  • Government answer in Question Period

    Signal 0 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, what the people watching at home today are seeing is the Conservatives’ hypocrisy. Where were the Conservatives when we launched the Canada child benefit, the national school food program, the Canada disability benefit and the Canada groceries and essentials benefit? Where were they when we launched the Canada-wide early learning and child care program? Where were they when we launched the Canada workers benefit? They were nowhere to be found, but we were there for Canadians.

Joël Lightbound, Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement and Quebec Lieutenant

Liberal
“Conservatives pretend to care, but they vote against measures that help people. The child benefit paid 80 million dollars to over 13,000 families in the member's riding, but he voted against it.”
  • Government answer in Question Period

    Signal 35 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
  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 100 of 100

    Of this answer, 100% addressed the question that was asked.

    See full analysis
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, in response to my colleague, I would say that what is not working is the Conservatives. They stand up and pretend to show empathy, but when it comes time to vote for concrete measures that help their constituents, they vote against them at every turn. I encourage my colleague to do some math. In his riding, the Canada child benefit, which he voted against, paid out $80 million to 13,245 families. He should do the math, and then we will see if he can stand up and tell me that this has no impact on the lives of his constituents.

Tim Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources

Liberal
“Natural gas projects are creating thousands of jobs and will start producing gas soon. Another project is starting soon with 1,000 more jobs. The Conservatives should support this work.”
  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 39 of 100

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

    See full analysis
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, my colleague, the Minister of Finance, is not the only person who has good news today. I want to let members know that the 2,000 workers at Woodfibre LNG are working hard, and they will be producing new LNG in 2027. By the way, the 1,000 workers at Cedar LNG are also working hard, and they will be producing new LNG in 2028. More good news is that the sunrise project is going to start turning sod in a couple of weeks for another 1,000 workers. Maybe the Conservatives can get on board and start helping to build.

Steven MacKinnon, Minister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons

Liberal
“We try to help Canadians by funding dental care, food, and child benefits, and by bringing back jobs from other countries. The Conservatives vote against these programs and criticize us when we defend Canada in trade disputes. What are they actually for?”
  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 0 of 100

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

    See full analysis
  • A repeated line

    “Dental care and the Canada child benefit.”

    Said 3 times by 3 members since June 2.

    Every time it was said
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, Canadians watching are somewhat confused, because every time we propose a measure to help vulnerable Canadians, like the groceries and essentials benefit, dental care or the Canada child benefit, the Conservatives vote against it. When we are attacked with an unjustified, illegal trade war, what do Conservatives say? They say we are throwing a hissy fit. When we put more measures in place and when the Prime Minister goes abroad to bring back jobs and investment, the Conservatives are against them. I ask again, what are the Conservatives for?

Discussion

No comments yet

See the full discussion

Comment rules

More from sitting 137

  1. Government Orders Combatting Hate Act 9 statements
  2. Government Orders Combatting Hate Act 91 statements
  3. Oral Questions The Economy 12 statements
  4. Oral Questions Democratic Institutions 4 statements
  5. Oral Questions Privacy 2 statements
  6. Oral Questions Access to Information 2 statements
  7. Oral Questions Democratic Institutions 2 statements
  8. Oral Questions National Defence 2 statements
  9. Oral Questions International Trade 2 statements
  10. Oral Questions Emergency Management 2 statements
  11. Oral Questions Housing 4 statements
  12. Oral Questions Public Safety 5 statements
  13. Oral Questions Health 2 statements
  14. Oral Questions Agriculture and Agri-Food 4 statements
  15. Oral Questions The Environment 2 statements
  16. Oral Questions Infrastructure 2 statements
  17. Oral Questions Fisheries and Oceans 2 statements
  18. Oral Questions Post-Secondary Education 3 statements
  19. Oral Questions Veterans Affairs 2 statements
  20. Oral Questions Health 2 statements
  21. Oral Questions Privacy 2 statements
  22. Oral Questions Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship 2 statements
  23. Oral Questions Public Service of Canada 2 statements
  24. Oral Questions Indigenous Affairs 4 statements
  25. Oral Questions Government Accountability 2 statements
  26. Oral Questions Grocery Industry 2 statements
  27. Oral Questions Taxation 2 statements
  28. Oral Questions Canada Revenue Agency 2 statements
  29. Oral Questions Canadian Identity and Culture 2 statements
  30. Oral Questions Firearms 3 statements
  31. Oral Questions Presence in Gallery 2 statements
  32. Oral Questions Indigenous Affairs 2 statements
  33. Oral Questions Points of Order 4 statements
  34. Government Orders Combatting Hate Act 14 statements
  35. Oral Questions The Environment 2 statements
  36. Oral Questions Persons with Disabilities 2 statements
  37. Government Orders Government Business No. 11—Proceedings on Bill C-26 29 statements
  38. Oral Questions Housing 2 statements
  39. Private Members' Business National Framework on Sickle Cell Disease Act 7 statements
  40. Government Orders Government Business No. 11—Proceedings on Bill C‑26 22 statements
  41. Government Orders An Act to Authorize Certain Payments to be Made out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund 56 statements
  42. Government Orders Points of Order 2 statements