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The Economy

Question period focused on the rising cost of living. The Conservatives pointed to record food bank use—including many employed people—and rising food and fuel prices, asking when the government would support their proposal to cut the diesel tax. The government said it understands costs are high and pointed to measures such as the Canada groceries and essentials benefit, and said the Conservatives had not supported votes to help Canadians.Written by AI from the debate. Updated .

Official text

4 statements

Shannon Stubbs

Conservative
“Food bank visits just hit a record high, and many people using them have jobs. Working Canadians cannot afford to feed their families, but their bills keep going up. I want the government to explain what it will do for working people who cannot afford food.”
Official Hansard

Madam Speaker, Food Banks Canada just reported a record 2.3 million visits in one month, up 117% since 2019, with nearly 800,000 by children, and one in five visitors has a job. Think about that. Working Canadians cannot afford to feed themselves or their families. Meanwhile, Liberal announcements keep piling up, but so do all the bills. Canadians cannot take another Liberal promise to the checkout counter. After 11 years in power, what do the Liberals have to say to working Canadians who have done everything right and still cannot afford to eat?

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François-Philippe Champagne

Liberal
“We know food, gas, and housing cost too much right now. The government is supporting Canadians. We are giving grocery and essentials money to 12 million people.”

  • A repeated line

    “We will always be there to help Canadians.”

    Said 3 times by 2 members since May 25.

    Every time it was said
Official Hansard

Madam Speaker, what I have to say to Canadians is that we have their backs. This government has the backs of Canadians. We understand that the cost of living is the most important thing for many Canadians: the price of food, the price of gas and the price of a home. Canadians are calling, and the answer is that 12 million Canadians will receive the Canada groceries and essentials benefit. We will always be there to support Canadians.

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Shannon Stubbs

Conservative

Linked statement

“Food bank visits in Alberta are up 156% since 2019, and food prices are up 30%. High fuel costs hurt farmers, truckers, stores, and families. The Liberals voted down our plan to cut diesel taxes until Canada Day. When will they support our plan so Canadians can afford fuel and food?”
Official Hansard

Madam Speaker, no one can afford another out-of-touch Liberal lecture about how good they have it, just like that. Alberta food bank visits have soared 156% since 2019. Food prices have jumped 30%. Higher fuel costs hit farmers, truckers, stores and families alike. The Conservatives proposed cutting all federal diesel taxes until Canada Day. The Liberals defeated it. The Prime Minister admits food is too costly, but blocked relief. Why is he all talk and bad results? When will the Liberals finally support our Conservative plan so Canadians can afford fuel and food?

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François-Philippe Champagne

Liberal
“The Conservatives do not show up when we vote to help Canadians, like on cheaper groceries or fuel taxes. They should work with us to support people instead.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 0 of 100

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

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Official Hansard

Madam Speaker, I am sure what the people in Alberta and across Canada are wondering is why the Conservatives are missing in action every time we have a vote to support Canadians. Where was the member when we voted for the Canada groceries and essentials benefit? Where was the member when we extended the suspension of the excise fuel tax for people across the country? At a time when Canadians need support, I would say that Conservative members should join with this government and support Canadians every step of the way.

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