The Economy

Question period on the economy and the cost of living. Conservatives said government spending on consultants and programs is driving up the cost of housing, food, and fuel, and argued their plan would save over $150 billion — about $10,000 per family — and should be adopted, including removing carbon taxes. Liberals said Canada’s economy grew 3.3% last quarter, the fastest in the G7, that rents have fallen for 23 straight months, and pointed to measures such as the groceries benefit, the GST break for first-time homebuyers, and a bill to extend the fuel tax pause, inviting Conservative support. Members on both sides cited letters and stories from constituents about affordability.Written by AI from the debate. Updated .

Official text (opens in a new tab)

6 statements

Pierre Paul-Hus, Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles

Conservative
“The government is wasting billions on outside consultants, corporate handouts, and costly projects. Conservatives found over $150 billion in savings to lower debt and cut taxes. I want the government to stop this wasteful spending, cancel the carbon tax, and adopt our plan.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, while the Liberals are spending billions of dollars on consultations, corporate subsidies and costly projects, we Conservatives have identified over $150 billion in savings. That is nearly $10,000 per family to help shrink the debt, reduce taxes and save Canadians money. Will the government cut spending on consultants and corporate subsidies, eliminate the industrial carbon tax and adopt the Conservative economic action plan?

Pierre Paul-Hus, Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles

Conservative
“Canadians are paying more for housing, food, and travel because of government spending. The Conservative plan would save them money on homes, gas, groceries, and cars. The government should stop defending its taxes and help people save money instead.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, when I hear the Minister of Finance rhyme off numbers like that, I see how completely disconnected they are from reality. The everyday reality for Canadians is that, after years of Liberal spending, they are paying more for housing, food and transportation. The Conservative plan will save them money on housing, gas, groceries and Canadian-made cars. Why do the Liberals insist on defending their taxes and spending instead of helping Canadians save money?

Melissa Lantsman, Thornhill

Conservative
“The government has done nothing to help with the high cost of rent, housing, and food. Canadians are paying more in taxes than for the things they need. I want the government to adopt the Conservative plan to lower debt, cut taxes, and bring down the cost of living.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, it is a day into the session, and there is nothing from the government to fix the affordability crisis on rent, on mortgages and on groceries. This is at a time when Canadians pay more in taxes than they do for bare essentials: Canadians such Olesya, who told me that she is going into credit card debt just to cover rent and food for her family, or Ariella, a student who wonders if she will ever be able to live independently and own a home. Will the government commit today to adopting our Conservative economic plan to save Olesya and Ariella money by lowering debt, taxes and the cost of living for both of them?

Melissa Lantsman, Thornhill

Conservative
“The government talks a lot but does not help people with high costs. Money belongs to the people who earned it, not the government. We found 150 billion dollars in wasteful government spending on consultants, foreign aid, and bureaucracy. That equals about 10,000 dollars for each family. The minister needs to listen to struggling Canadians.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, again, we get all talk and no results. The minister does not need to take lessons from us, but he should take lessons from or at least listen to Olesya and Ariella. We believe that money belongs in the hands of the people who earned it instead of in the hands of the government that continues to tax it. We have identified $150 billion in irresponsible spending here in Ottawa on things such as consultants, foreign aid and bureaucracy. That is nearly $10,000 for families such as theirs. If the minister does not take lessons from them, will he at least listen to Canadians who are struggling out there?

John Brassard, Barrie South—Innisfil

Conservative
“Food and rent cost too much for regular Canadians. We want to get rid of the industrial carbon tax to help people and businesses save money. Will the government adopt our plan?”
  • A repeated line

    “Will the Liberals adopt our plan?”

    Said 5 times by 4 members since September 22.

    Every time it was said
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, lower food costs and lower rent so their children do not have to live with their 80-year-old grandmother, says S from Innisfil. This is just one of thousands of responses I received over the summer about how these past 11 years of failed economic policies have impacted average Canadians who are struggling to make ends meet. However, if we ask the finance minister or one of the Prime Minister’s well-connected business buddies, times have never been better, while Canadian families and businesses are struggling just to make ends meet. Conservatives are proposing to eliminate the industrial carbon tax to help Canadians and businesses save money. Will the Liberals adopt our plan?

John Brassard, Barrie South—Innisfil

Conservative
“The government's grocery benefit was only $16.75 for a struggling worker in my riding. That does not cover high food costs. I want the Prime Minister to say when regular Canadians will do as well as his rich friends.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, there is nothing but talk and little action. Michelle from Barrie wrote to me and said that she is a single person, making barely $60,000 a year, having to put a roof over her head and needing a car to drive to work, but, more importantly, she needs to eat. She said she has just received her groceries benefit: $16.75. She asks how that is supposed to support paying for more groceries. According to the finance minister, Michelle has never had it so good, but the truth is that the only ones doing well are the well-connected club of Liberal insiders and business buddies of the Prime Minister. Can the Prime Minister tell Michelle when she can expect to do as well as his corporate buddies or to at least pay for the necessities of life?

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