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The Economy

During Question Period on the economy, members focused on affordability and the cost of living. Conservatives said families are struggling with groceries and housing while the government spends too much, and pointed to their plan to save over $150 billion, or $10,000 per family, through cuts to spending, red tape and consultants, along with removing the gas tax for a full year and sales tax on Canadian-made cars. Liberal ministers said the government has acted on housing, groceries and gas costs, announced a bill to lower gas prices, and argued the government has been fiscally responsible while helping families with child care and other supports. Both sides invited the other to adopt their approach.Written by AI from the debate. Updated .

Official text

6 statements

Luc Berthold

Conservative
“Families are struggling to afford food and housing while the government spends too much money. Our plan would save over 150 billion dollars, or 10,000 dollars per family, to lower their taxes. I want the government to cut spending and adopt our plan.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, while families are cutting back on groceries, struggling to put a roof over their heads and putting off purchases, the Liberal government continues to spend recklessly. Our Conservative plan would result in savings of over $150 billion, or $10,000 per family, which would lower families’ tax burden and give them some breathing room. When will the Liberal government finally reduce its spending and adopt the Conservative plan to save money for all Canadians?

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François-Philippe Champagne

Liberal
“Canadians are worried about the cost of groceries, housing, and gas. Our government is taking action on all three. We have a plan to build more homes and a benefit to help families buy groceries. Today, I am introducing a bill to lower gas costs, and I want the Conservatives to vote for it.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 44 of 100

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

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  • A repeated line

    “We introduced the Canada groceries and essentials benefit.”

    Said 29 times by 19 members since April 23.

    Every time it was said
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, everyone in the House is aware that affordability is a key concern for Canadians. We are talking about the cost of groceries, housing and gas. I have good news. We have taken action in all three of those areas. First, we presented a generational plan to build more housing across the country to help Canadian families. Second, together with the Prime Minister, we introduced the Canada groceries and essentials benefit, which will help families across the country. Another piece of good news is that, later today, I will have the opportunity to introduce a bill that will help families with the cost of gas. I hope that the Conservatives will support it.

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Luc Berthold

Conservative
“The government's gas tax cut does not go far enough. We want to cut all gas taxes for the entire year, cut taxes on building homes, and remove the sales tax on Canadian-made cars. When will the government adopt our plan to help Canadians save money?”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, is it worth reminding the Minister of Finance that lowering the gas tax was the Conservatives’ idea? It is easy to table that today, but for families, every dollar counts. We were asking to get rid of all gas taxes for the entire year, not just one. What we are going to get this afternoon is a timetable. Our economic plan includes concrete measures such as reducing taxes on housing construction, eliminating the GST on vehicles manufactured in Canada, and eliminating all taxes on gasoline. When will the Liberal government adopt the Conservative plan so that all Quebeckers and all Canadians can save money?

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François-Philippe Champagne

Liberal
“We understand the economic problems Canadians face, and our government has helped families. The Conservatives have not changed. They only ask questions instead of taking action to help build a strong country.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 10 of 100

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

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  • 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.

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, I think that Canadians know that the Conservatives do not have a monopoly on common sense. We understand the challenges facing Canadians across the country. That is why we were there to help Canadian families. Do my colleagues know what people are watching on TV today? They are watching a Conservative Party that has not changed. After a summer of reflection, the Conservatives are still here today asking questions instead of taking action to help us move the country forward. We are going to build a strong country together. Canadians know it.

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Dominique Vien

Conservative
“Life costs too much. I want the government to get rid of the carbon tax on business and use our plan instead. We would cut rules and consultants to save families $10,000 each.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, my colleague has been very clear. What we want on this side of the House is to leave money in Canadians’ pockets. The plan the Conservatives are proposing involves savings of $150 billion. That is $10,000 per family. How do we do that? It is by cutting down on red tape and consultants. Given the soaring cost of living, will the Liberal government finally scrap the industrial carbon tax and adopt our Conservative economic action plan?

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François-Philippe Champagne

Liberal
“Our economy is strong because we managed public money well. We have helped families with housing, food, gas, and child care, and we will keep helping them. I want the Conservatives to work with us to keep building the country.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 35 of 100

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

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  • A repeated line

    “Let us build Canada strong together.”

    Said 4 times by 2 members since April 27.

    Every time it was said
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, Canadians know that we are entering this period of economic transition, as the Prime Minister explained, from a position of strength. That is precisely because we have been responsible with public finances. While being responsible, we have always been there for Canadian families, whether it came to housing, food, gas prices or a national children’s program. One thing Canadians know is that we will always be there to support them in difficult times. Let us build Canada strong together. I hope the Conservatives will join us in this major project for the country.

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