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The Economy

Question period focused on the economy, including Canada’s closer ties with the European Union and government spending. The Conservatives argued that no new agreements with Europe have actually been signed, that pursuing European rules on taxes, immigration, and regulation would cede sovereignty without provinces’ consent, and that inflation-driven revenues and deficits would add hundreds of billions to the debt—about $40,000 per family—while Canadians rely on food banks and face unaffordable housing. The Liberals replied that closer EU ties open a market of 450 million consumers, that non-U.S. exports have grown by $33 billion (11%), that a $500-billion investment summit and strong foreign investment show their plan is working, and that Canada has the best debt-to-GDP ratio, growth, and credit rating in the G7. Several exchanges turned into personal attacks, with the Liberals saying the Conservative leader had never worked in the economy and the Conservatives accusing the government of enriching bankers through rising debt interest.Written by AI from the debate. Updated .

Official text

4 statements

Joël Lightbound

Liberal
“Canada is building closer ties with the European Union, which has 450 million consumers and nearly a fifth of the world's economy. This work helps businesses and citizens across Canada and Quebec, and I want to thank Quebec's team in Brussels for helping.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 46 of 100

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

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, let us not forget that the European Union represents 450 million consumers and 18% of global GDP. I am very proud that there is a rapprochement happening between the European Union and Canada. Our diplomatic efforts are bearing fruit. It should also be noted that the benefits that Canada negotiates in the interest of Canadians are in the interest of Quebec. These are opportunities for our businesses and our citizens. I would like to commend the Quebec delegation in Brussels for its contributions to Canada’s diplomatic efforts.

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Joël Lightbound

Liberal
“Our economy is getting results. Our exports to countries other than the U.S. went up by $33 billion, which is an 11% increase. The opposition leader claims our spending causes inflation, but he never explains what he means. Does he think the child benefit money we send to hundreds of thousands of Quebec families causes inflation?”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, there is far too much to unpack in that question. First, he said we are “all talk and no action” and that there have been few results, but I would point out that our non-U.S. exports have increased by $33 billion in recent years. That is an 11% increase at a time when we are seeing a realignment of the Canadian economy to be more resilient and more self-reliant. Now, whenever he talks about inflationary programs, I always ask the Leader of the Opposition the same question, but he is never able to come up with an answer: What exactly is an inflationary program? For example, is it the 213,000 children in Quebec who benefit from the Canada child benefit and the $819 million that is sent to Quebec families to meet their needs? Is that an inflationary program?

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Wayne Long

Liberal
“The Conservative leader has no credibility on the economy because he has never worked in it. Our government has a strong economic plan. We brought in $500 billion in investments, exports to other countries will double over the next ten years, and foreign investment is the highest it has been in decades.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 15 of 100

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

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  • Government answer in Question Period

    Signal 35 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

Mr. Speaker, the leader, as Canadians know, has no credibility when it comes to the economy. He has never worked one day in it. On this side of the House, we have a plan. We have a plan to build Canada strong. At the Canada investment summit, there was $500 billion in investments. Non-U.S. exports are set to double over the next decade. Foreign direct investment is at levels not seen in decades. On this side of the House, we have a plan to invest in our economy and to build our economy strong. The leader continues with the rhetoric.

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Wayne Long

Liberal
“Our economy is doing well. Canada has the best debt-to-GDP ratio, the fastest growth, and the best credit rating in the G7. The Prime Minister understands business, while the Conservative leader has never worked in the real economy and has done nothing useful in his decades in Parliament.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 31 of 100

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

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  • Government answer in Question Period

    Signal 38 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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  • A repeated line

    “The lowest net debt to GDP in the G7 and one of the lowest deficits to GDP in the G7.”

    Said 6 times by 2 members since May 6.

    Every time it was said
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, do members know what a good leader does? A good leader does not raise his hands up, blame everybody else and offer nothing constructive as a solution. On this side of the House, let us look at some economic facts: the best net debt-to-GDP in the G7, the fastest-growing economy in the G7 and the best credit rating in the G7. On this side of the House, we have a Prime Minister with economic and business credentials. The leader has never worked one day in the economy and is in his third decade in the House producing nothing.

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