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The Economy

Question period exchanges on the economy and the rising cost of living. Eric Lefebvre (Conservative) said food banks in Quebec and his riding are serving far more people, citing local meal programs, and asked the government to cut the tax on diesel to lower grocery prices and to adopt the Conservative plan. Ministers Champagne and Lightbound (Liberal) replied by pointing to government benefits, saying the Conservatives voted against measures to help people, including grocery and essentials benefits and the Canada child benefit, which they said supports more than 20,000 children in his area.Written by AI from the debate. Updated .

Official text

4 statements

Eric Lefebvre

Conservative
“Our economy is not strong. Food bank use is way up in Quebec and in my riding. Will the government cut the tax on diesel so groceries cost less?”
Official Hansard

Madam Speaker, how can the minister talk about a strong economy when food banks in Quebec are serving more than three million people every month? That is a 37% increase. In my riding, the organization Sécurité alimentaire de Victoriaville is helping 2,224 adults and 1,284 children. In fact, 35% of its clients are children. At the Centre d’action bénévole de Windsor et région, the needs have grown by 50% since the Liberals took office. Will the Liberals eliminate the federal tax on diesel so that groceries are affordable again?

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François-Philippe Champagne

Liberal
“The people of Richmond—Arthabaska—des-Sources are watching what their MP does to help them. They want to know how he voted on grocery and essentials benefits. The Conservatives voted against every measure we put forward to help people.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 12 of 100

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

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  • Government answer in Question Period

    Signal 10 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

Madam Speaker, I know it is Friday and I know that the people of Richmond—Arthabaska—des-Sources are watching question period. They might wonder what their member of Parliament was doing when it was time to vote to help them. I actually know these people. These are people who are watching and seeing what their member of Parliament is doing. They are wondering where their member of Parliament was when we talked about the Canada groceries and essentials benefit, whether he voted for it or against it. That is what the people in his riding are going to be looking at. Indeed, the Conservatives voted against every single measure we put forward.

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Eric Lefebvre

Conservative
“More people in my riding need free food programs this year, including thousands of children. Will the government adopt the Conservative plan to help?”
Official Hansard

Madam Speaker, with all due respect to the minister, I can say that I have been here for my constituents for nearly 10 years. The Restaurant populaire de Victoriaville has served 5,625 breakfasts this year, which is a 15% increase in one year. It has served 21,428 lunches, which is a 10% increase in one year. The lunch boxes for children project has provided 31,453 lunches for our children, 8,167 snacks and involved 40 volunteers. I would like to thank the gang at Clan-Destins for their significant contribution to this cause. Will the government adopt the Conservative measures?

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Joël Lightbound

Liberal
“The child benefit helps more than 20,000 children in my colleague's area, giving them an average of over $4,000. My colleague voted against that money for those kids.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 11 of 100

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Official Hansard

Madam Speaker, I would also like to pay tribute to the organizations in my colleague’s constituency. They are undoubtedly doing remarkable work, as we have seen happening across the country. Similar organizations in my constituency were the first to welcome the Canada child benefit and to see the impact it has on the lives of households in my constituency. I am sure this is also the case in my colleague’s constituency. In fact, let us talk about his constituency. There are 20,587 children who receive an average of $4,176 thanks to the Canada child benefit. My colleague voted against this measure. He talks about reducing the tax on diesel. He voted against $4,176 for 20,587 children in his constituency. He voted against 34,563—

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