The Economy

During oral questions on the economy, the Conservatives asked whether the government would admit Canada is in a cost-of-living crisis, pointing to the Parliamentary Budget Officer’s growth estimate, unemployment at 6.7%, and rising food bank use. The government answered that affordability is its top priority and cited its affordable housing spending, the suspended federal gas tax, the Canada child benefit, the school food program, and the disability benefit, while noting the Conservatives voted against those measures. The Bloc Québécois raised concerns about Bill C-39, the Building Canada Strong Act, saying it gives ministers too much power over projects and threatens Quebec’s say over its land, Indigenous rights, workers’ strike rights, and the environment. The government replied that the bill will create jobs and major projects for Quebec and the rest of Canada and encouraged the Bloc to support it.Written by AI from the debate. Updated .

Official text (opens in a new tab)

4 statements

François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Finance and National Revenue

Liberal
“Helping people afford life is our top priority. We spent money on affordable housing, paused the federal gas tax, and helped with grocery costs. The Conservatives keep voting against these measures. I hope they will support them in the future.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, affordability is the number one priority. That is why we have made historic investments in affordable housing and taken other measures, such as suspending the federal gas tax and providing relief on groceries and essential items. The problem is that, every time we have proposed affordability measures, the Conservatives have voted against them. I hope that, one day, we will be able to count on their support to build a strong Canada, together.

François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Finance and National Revenue

Liberal
“We help Canadians every day, but the Conservatives voted against our child benefit, our school food program, our disability benefit, and our grocery benefit.”
  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 0 of 100

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

    See full analysis
  • 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, the problem is that when we introduced the Canada child benefit, the Conservatives voted against it. When we introduced the Canada national school food program, the Conservatives voted against it. When we introduced the Canada disability benefit, the Conservatives voted against it. When we introduced the Canada groceries and essentials benefit, the Conservatives voted against it. On this side of the House, we know that we must stand up every day to defend Canadians. That is exactly what we are doing, and we will continue to do so.

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

Liberal
“This bill is good for our country and its unity. It will create jobs for young Quebeckers and help both Quebec and Canada grow.”
  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 27 of 100

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

    See full analysis
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, with all due respect to the leader of the Bloc Québécois, today is a very good day for Canadian unity. We thank the people of Alberta who, like Quebeckers have always done, voted to be part of a country that stands tall, a country that is building itself. Yes, Bill C‑39 will enable us to continue building this great and beautiful country, provide young Quebeckers with job opportunities and help Quebec and Canada grow.

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

Liberal
“We already answered all of the Bloc's questions yesterday. This bill gives Quebeckers the growth, jobs, and major projects they want. The Bloc should vote for it.”
  • 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, the leader of the Bloc Québécois was obviously not present at yesterday’s sitting, when all questions from his party and all members were answered. On the contrary, we have explained and outlined the measures we will take to give Quebeckers what they are asking for. What they are asking for is growth, job opportunities, projects like Churchill Falls or Nouveau Monde Graphite, like the Contrecoeur port, and to build a strong country. Bill C‑39 is the right solution, and the Bloc Québécois should vote in favour of it.

Discussion

No comments yet

See the full discussion

Comment rules

More from sitting 151

  1. Government Orders Strengthening Canada's Defence Sector Act 79 statements
  2. Oral Questions Public Services and Procurement 5 statements
  3. Oral Questions Finance 4 statements
  4. Oral Questions The Economy 8 statements
  5. Oral Questions The Environment 2 statements
  6. Oral Questions Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship 15 statements
  7. Oral Questions Canadian Culture and Identity 4 statements
  8. Oral Questions Public Services and Procurement 11 statements
  9. Oral Questions Finance 2 statements
  10. Oral Questions Employment 10 statements
  11. Oral Questions International Trade 7 statements
  12. Oral Questions Finance 8 statements
  13. Oral Questions Small Business 2 statements
  14. Oral Questions The Economy 2 statements
  15. Oral Questions Health 2 statements
  16. Oral Questions Justice 2 statements
  17. Government Orders Government Orders 2 statements
  18. Government Orders Strengthening Canada's Defence Sector Act 44 statements
  19. Private Members' Business Canada Revenue Agency Act 6 statements
  20. Government Orders Canadian Fuel Affordability Act 164 statements
  21. Adjournment Proceedings Adjournment Proceedings 4 statements
  22. Adjournment Proceedings Adjournment Proceedings 4 statements
  23. Adjournment Proceedings Adjournment Proceedings 4 statements