“The Conservatives are wrong about our economic record. Our government has added tens of thousands of jobs, brought in billions of dollars for big projects, and expanded job training. I want the Conservatives to work with us to build the economy instead of just criticizing it.”

“Mr. Speaker, it is really interesting to compare reality to what the Conservatives are trying to give the false impression of. Let me give a tangible example about jobs. Our Prime Minister, who was elected just under 18 months ago, has had a net gain of tens of thousands of jobs. That is the reality. The member is picking and choosing, but it is important that we put this in the context of what is taking place around the world. I can assure the member across the way that our Prime Minister and every member of the government caucus is focused on building a stronger, healthier Canadian economy. Working closely with our constituents, we are bringing ideas and thoughts to the floor of the House of Commons, which is also assisting in the important policy decisions not only being made today, but that have been talked about since the last federal election. On the word “collaboration”, we have been working with different levels of government, indigenous people, many different stakeholders, and individuals of all political stripes. Building a stronger and healthier economy has been priority number one for every Liberal member of the House of Commons. We continue to push for collaboration. We have a strong desire for that, and we are starting to see very tangible results. We have a Prime Minister who noted at an economic summit, the first of its kind, close to half a trillion dollars in potential commitments coming to Canada. We have seen billions of dollars being committed to major projects. We have seen the provinces, along with indigenous communities, working hand in hand developing major projects that are going to realize thousands of good-quality jobs. We have seen budgets presented by this government with things such as the Red Seal program enhancement, which is going to help young people and ensure they are getting good-quality jobs. We have a Prime Minister and a suite of ministers who have been travelling around the world bringing in and attracting businesses and opportunities for additional exports abroad, creating thousands of jobs. Even in the context of what is taking place between Canada and the United States, the government and the Prime Minister have been focused on issues such as affordability, something we are genuinely concerned about. There is a great deal we can be working on and that we continue to work on. I look across the way to members of the Conservative Party of Canada and ask them to start looking at ways in which they too can assist in positive policy development that will be healthy for our economy. I can assure the member that the constituents I represent and the Prime Minister of Canada want collaboration. We want to see people working together in order to deliver on important issues, whether it is the suite of crime legislation we brought in just a number of months ago, which is the most progressive and aggressive crime legislation we have seen, or economic measures. We care about what is taking place in our communities, so whether it is about affordability or trade, we are on top of it, and we will continue to work with Canadians and stakeholders.”

“Our government is taking action. We cut taxes for 22 million people and set up a school food program that feeds hundreds of thousands of children. The Conservatives just oppose these programs and say they are garbage. We will keep working for Canadians.”

“Mr. Speaker, let me address head-on the member’s saying that there has not been action. Nothing could be further from the truth. The only action the Conservatives have taken is in opposition to what the government initiatives have been. I will give an example of some of those initiatives. We have given tax breaks to 22 million people. One of the very first actions by the Prime Minister was to get rid of the carbon tax. We can talk about the national food program, which has been feeding literally hundreds of thousands of children. These are the types of initiatives that the Conservative Party is not only opposing but also, when it comes to the food program, is calling garbage. They do not even believe it is happening; it is tinfoil hats and all on that particular issue. I can tell members that, at the end of the day, there are a lot of good things happening. We are committed to continuing to work for Canadians.”