The Economy

During question period, members questioned the government about the state of the Canadian economy. Conservative members said Canada is in a recession, with shrinking GDP, falling business investment, a deficit double what was expected, higher grocery costs, fewer housing starts, growing food bank use, and high unemployment, and they asked the Prime Minister to take responsibility for this record. Liberal members replied that the economy is resilient and growing, pointing to 88,000 new jobs, rising wages, lower rents, tax cuts, cost-of-living supports, a national school food program, and investments in Quebec projects such as the Contrecoeur port expansion, mining, and aircraft manufacturing, and they suggested the opposition consult recent economic reports.Written by AI from the debate. Updated .

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3 statements

Gérard Deltell, Louis-Saint-Laurent—Akiawenhrahk

Conservative
“Canada is in a recession and business investment is down. I want the Prime Minister to defend his poor economic record to Canadians.”
  • 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, the Liberal Prime Minister has been running the country for over a year now. My question is very simple: Where are the actual results for Canadians? Canada is the only G7 country that is in a recession. The GDP has contracted in three of the last four quarters. Business capital investment has fallen for five consecutive quarters, and Canada has the second-highest unemployment rate in the G7. With a track record like that, it is no wonder the Prime Minister is having a hard time explaining himself, but I would like him to stand up and defend his miserable record to Canadians.

Gérard Deltell, Louis-Saint-Laurent—Akiawenhrahk

Conservative
“The deficit doubled, living costs rose, fewer homes are being built, and 2.2 million Canadians use food banks. I want the Prime Minister to defend this record.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, I hope this government will take the data from Statistics Canada and the budget into account. This past year, the deficit was twice as high as expected. The cost of living went up. Housing starts have declined since May. Unfortunately, and this may be the worst part of this government’s record, 2.2 million Canadians, one-third of them children, have to rely on food banks for food. That is the Liberal record. Can the Prime Minister stand up and defend his record?

Jacques Gourde, Lévis—Lotbinière

Conservative
“The Prime Minister has hurt our economy. Groceries cost more, business investment is down, and Canada has high unemployment. I want the Prime Minister to take responsibility for this recession.”
  • Opposition question in Question Period

    Respect 85 of 100

    This statement targeted a person rather than their actions or views: “this Prime Minister is nothing but an illusion”.

    See full analysis
  • A repeated line

    “Canada has the second-highest unemployment rate in the G7.”

    Said 10 times by 9 members since April 28.

    Every time it was said
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, really, this Prime Minister is nothing but an illusion. A banker is supposed to be good with numbers, yet here is the Prime Minister’s track record: every family will be spending an extra $1,000 on groceries in 2026, business capital investment has fallen for five consecutive quarters, and Canada has the second-highest unemployment rate in the G7. This record makes us the only G20 country in recession. The Prime Minister is not being accountable to Canadians. Will he take responsibility for his recession?

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