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The Economy

The debate focused on the state of the Canadian economy and government fiscal policy. Conservatives criticized the government’s financial management, asserting that rising debt, increasing interest rates, and low economic growth demonstrate that current spending plans are unsustainable. The government defended its strategy, stating that its initiatives, such as tax reductions and direct benefits, are designed to enhance affordability. Liberal members also emphasized that major infrastructure projects and targeted support for families are necessary to stimulate economic growth and assist vulnerable Canadians.Written by AI from the debate. Updated .

Official text

7 statements

Tamara Jansen

Conservative

Linked statement

“The Prime Minister's economic plan is not working. The economy is barely growing, debt and interest rates are up, and he spends too much money. One in three Canadians now needs help from the government just to buy food.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, what do a leaky roof, a growing credit card bill and Canada have in common? The longer we ignore the problem, the more expensive it gets. Our economy is barely growing, borrowing is way up, and interest rates are on the rise. The Prime Minister promised to put the brakes on spending, but instead he is racking up crazy credit card debt. If his plan is working, why do 12.5 million Canadians, one in three people, need a grocery assistance benefit just to put food on the table?

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Gregor Robertson

Liberal
“I want to congratulate the new premier and government of British Columbia.”

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of our colleagues here, I want to congratulate the new government of B.C., the premier-elect and his team. Some hon. members: Oh, oh!

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Gregor Robertson

Liberal
“We are working to make life more affordable. We cut income taxes and fuel taxes, and gave people money for groceries and basic needs. Rents have gone down for 24 months in a row. We have more work to do, and the Conservatives should support our plan instead of just complaining about it.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, I thank outgoing Premier Eby and his team. To speak directly to the question from the member opposite, this government is focused on delivering on affordability, whether that is through tax cuts on income tax, the groceries and essentials benefit or the fuel excise tax. We have brought down the costs. We have seen rents come down for 24 months in a row. We are delivering on affordability. There is a lot more work to do. We could use some support from the Conservatives rather than them ranting and raving about it.

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Eric Lefebvre

Conservative
“The government is spending too much money. We face over $330 billion in deficits over five years, and debt interest will top $60 billion next year. That money should help struggling families instead. I want the government to bring its spending under control.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, the Parliamentary Budget Officer’s report is damning for the Liberal government. A deficit of more than $330 billion is projected over five years. Meanwhile, interest on the debt will be over $60 billion next year. That is money that will never be used to help Quebec and Canadian families who are struggling to make ends meet. The Liberals are spending recklessly, but it is Canadians who are paying the price. When will the government get its spending under control and stop using our children’s and grandchildren’s credit cards?

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Joël Lightbound

Liberal
“Conservatives say our spending causes inflation, but they do not explain what they mean. In Quebec, over 200,000 children get more than $800 million every year to help their families pay bills. Conservatives voted against that.”

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, I am left completely perplexed when I hear the Conservatives talk so much about inflationary programs without ever defining what an inflationary program is. Is it, for example, the 219,416 children in Quebec who receive more than $800 million through the Canada child benefit every year to help their families pay their bills? Is that an inflationary program? The Conservatives voted against that.

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Eric Lefebvre

Conservative
“Canadians need good jobs, not government cheques. Economic growth is down to 0.9 percent and inflation is high. More people need food banks, but the government keeps bragging about the economy. The Liberals need to stop adding to the debt.”

  • A repeated line

    “People are struggling to make ends meet.”

    Said 13 times by 10 members since April 27.

    Every time it was said
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, what Canadians want is to have money in their pockets from a good job. That is what they need, not cheques from the government. On Friday, the Minister of Finance was bragging about the economic situation. The Parliamentary Budget Officer just trimmed her outlook for growth to 0.9%, and inflation is projected to be 2.8%. While the minister is patting himself on the back, families are struggling to make ends meet. I would invite the minister to take a look at the front page of the Journal de Québec. The number of requests for food assistance is skyrocketing. That is what life is like under the Liberals. They need to stop racking up endless debt.

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Joël Lightbound

Liberal
“Quebecers rejected the Conservative approach. We grow the economy through major building projects. We also help vulnerable people with tax cuts, child benefits, dental care, grocery rebates, and school food. The Conservatives voted against all of these helpful programs.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, hearing the member speak like that, I can understand exactly why Quebeckers rejected the Conservative approach. On this side of the House, we believe that we can grow the economy with major projects, such as the high-speed rail project, the Contrecoeur port project, the Nouveau Monde Graphite project and the Port of Québec project. We also believe that the government has a role to play in ensuring that the most vulnerable people get the help they need. Some of the ways we are doing that include a tax cut, the Canada child benefit, the Canadian dental care plan, the Canada groceries and essentials benefit and the national school food program. These are all measures that the Conservatives voted against but that make a real difference for millions of Quebeckers and Canadians.

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