The Economy

Question period focused on the state of the Canadian economy. Conservative members said Canada is in a recession with the second-highest unemployment in the G7, citing rising food bank use and declining investment, and asked the Prime Minister to acknowledge his policies and show results. Liberal ministers pointed to their own measures, including automatic tax filing expected to deliver benefits to low-income Canadians, a $3-billion national food strategy to lower grocery prices, 21 pieces of economic legislation, and a premiers’ agreement to double the national school food program, while urging the opposition to support them.Written by AI from the debate. Updated .

Official text (opens in a new tab)

4 statements

Wayne Long, Secretary of State (Canada Revenue Agency and Financial Institutions)

Liberal
“The budget officer confirmed that automatic tax filing will give over $2,200 to 5.5 million low-income Canadians. I want the member opposite to support our programs.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, I have breaking news. The Parliamentary Budget Officer just confirmed that low-income Canadians will get over $2,200 through automatic tax filing. That is for 5.5 million Canadians. It will mean $350 million for Canadians in benefits over the next five years. Hopefully that member over there will support New Brunswick families and support our programs.

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

Liberal
“We introduced 21 bills that helped grow our economy, make communities safer, and stop street violence. The member voted against every one of them.”
  • 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, I know Theatre New Brunswick is probably auditioning for some key roles. I think the member should sign up. He has missed his calling. Let me give him some results. We have put forward 21 pieces of legislation, every single one of them to help Canada move ahead, which helps us become the number one growing country in the G7, makes our communities safer and gets rid of violence on our streets. What else? Every single one of them, the member voted against. There are results over here and over there is dead air.

Rechie Valdez, Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Secretary of State (Small Business and Tourism)

Liberal
“We have a $3-billion plan to help Canadian farmers and grocers grow and sell more food at home. This will lower grocery prices, create jobs, and make food more affordable.”
  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 45 of 100

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

    See full analysis
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, our government is focused on ensuring that everyday essentials are more affordable for Canadians. That is why our government introduced the first-ever national food security strategy. This is our $3-billion plan to make sure that we are increasing competition and making more food here at home. This is going to help Canadian producers, farmers and independent grocers, while bringing the prices in the grocery stores down. We are going to be focused on helping support Canadians while creating jobs and a strong economy.

Leslie Church, Parliamentary Secretary to the Secretaries of State for Labour, for Seniors, and for Children and Youth, and to the Minister of Jobs and Families (Persons with Disabilities)

Liberal
“All 13 provincial and territorial premiers agreed to double the school food program for 10,000 schools. The opposition should support this program to help feed kids and lower costs for families.”
  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 21 of 100

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

    See full analysis
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, what did 13 provincial premiers and territorial premiers agree to this week? They agreed to a permanent doubling of the national school food program that will be brought into 10,000 schools across the country. Thirteen provinces and territories agreed, but this opposition cannot get on board to feed kids in our schools. If they are going to stand up and talk about affordability for Canadians, they should do something about it. They should get on board with the school food program that we need for our kids.

Discussion

No comments yet

See the full discussion

Comment rules

More from sitting 139

  1. Government Orders Spring Economic Update 2026 Implementation Act 53 statements
  2. Government Orders Spring Economic Update 2026 Implementation Act 14 statements
  3. Government Orders Arab Heritage Month Act 3 statements
  4. Oral Questions The Economy 13 statements
  5. Oral Questions Government Priorities 2 statements
  6. Oral Questions Government Priorities 2 statements
  7. Oral Questions Housing 11 statements
  8. Oral Questions The Environment 2 statements
  9. Oral Questions Housing 4 statements
  10. Oral Questions The Economy 6 statements
  11. Government Orders Government Orders 3 statements
  12. Oral Questions Public Safety 5 statements
  13. Oral Questions The Economy 8 statements
  14. Oral Questions Indigenous Affairs 6 statements
  15. Oral Questions Gender-Based Violence 2 statements
  16. Oral Questions Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship 6 statements
  17. Oral Questions Justice 2 statements
  18. Oral Questions Justice 4 statements
  19. Oral Questions Foreign Affairs 2 statements
  20. Adjournment Proceedings Adjournment Proceedings 4 statements
  21. Oral Questions Indigenous Affairs 2 statements
  22. Adjournment Proceedings Adjournment Proceedings 4 statements
  23. Oral Questions Prime Minister of Canada 2 statements
  24. Oral Questions Official Languages 2 statements
  25. Oral Questions The Economy 4 statements