The Economy

During Question Period on the economy, members focused on the cost of living and food bank use. Conservative members cited reports of children relying on food banks and one in three Canadians skipping meals, said the deficit had doubled despite a promise to cut spending, and asked the government to cut spending, end federal diesel taxes, and remove the sales tax on fuel, which they said would save people money. Liberal members said they follow Food Banks Canada’s advice, pointed to the Canada groceries and essentials benefit, tax cuts, school food programs, child care, and disability benefits, and noted the Conservatives voted against those measures. Some responses drew on the same affordability reports the questioners cited.Written by AI from the debate. Updated .

Official text (opens in a new tab)

3 statements

Tamara Jansen, Cloverdale—Langley City

Conservative
“Too many children are going hungry because families cannot afford food, while the government spends over a billion dollars a week on debt interest. I want the Prime Minister to make life more affordable.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, I shared a conversation around my family dinner table about how difficult life has become for young families like my daughter’s, but some families face something far worse. A new report reveals that one in eight Toronto children relies on a food bank, and more than one in four surveyed families reported a child missing meals because they could not afford food. These are children going hungry while the government piles on debt and spends over $1 billion a week on just paying interest. How many more children must go without supper before the Prime Minister makes affordability a priority?

Dominique Vien, Bellechasse—Les Etchemins—Lévis

Conservative
“The Prime Minister promised to cut spending, but he doubled the deficit instead. Canadian families are struggling, and one in three Canadians is skipping meals or eating less. I want the Prime Minister to cut spending and end federal diesel taxes so Canadians can save money.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister promised to cut spending, but instead he doubled the deficit, which is now at a record high. While the Liberals are spending like there is no tomorrow, Canadian families are having to tighten their belts to make ends meet. According to a new report from the Salvation Army, one in three Canadians is skipping meals or cutting down on portion sizes. Will the Prime Minister finally cut his inflationary spending and eliminate the federal diesel taxes to help Canadians save money?

Dominique Vien, Bellechasse—Les Etchemins—Lévis

Conservative
“Liberal plans are not working. Food bank visits are at 2.3 million, and one in five young people is going into debt for basic needs. At the same time, the government spends billions on bureaucracy, consultants, and corporations. Conservatives want to cut that spending and remove the sales tax on fuel to save people $1,000. Will the Liberals use our idea?”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, clearly, their measures are not working. Visits to food banks have now reached 2.3 million. That is unprecedented. We are learning that one in five young people has to go into debt to pay for basic necessities. Meanwhile, the government is spending billions of dollars on bureaucracy, consultants and corporate welfare. The Conservatives want to cut that spending and suspend the GST on fuel to save consumers $1,000. Will the Liberals borrow the Conservatives’ idea?

Discussion

No comments yet

See the full discussion

Comment rules

More from sitting 161

  1. Government Orders Government Orders 107 statements
  2. Oral Questions International Trade 8 statements
  3. Oral Questions Major Projects Office 2 statements
  4. Oral Questions Finance 14 statements
  5. Oral Questions The Economy 6 statements
  6. Oral Questions The Environment 4 statements
  7. Oral Questions International Trade 5 statements
  8. Oral Questions Foreign Affairs 6 statements
  9. Oral Questions Natural Resources 2 statements
  10. Oral Questions International Trade 6 statements
  11. Oral Questions The Economy 2 statements
  12. Oral Questions Public Services and Procurement 4 statements
  13. Oral Questions Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship 2 statements
  14. Oral Questions Steel and Aluminum Industry 6 statements
  15. Oral Questions Canada Revenue Agency 2 statements
  16. Oral Questions National Defence 2 statements
  17. Oral Questions Health 2 statements
  18. Oral Questions Natural Resources 3 statements
  19. Government Orders Budget 2025 Implementation Act, No. 2 44 statements
  20. Oral Questions National Defence 8 statements
  21. Private Members' Business Respecting Families of Murdered and Brutalized Persons Act 11 statements
  22. Government Orders Budget 2025 Implementation Act, No. 2 21 statements
  23. Adjournment Proceedings Adjournment Proceedings 4 statements
  24. Adjournment Proceedings Adjournment Proceedings 4 statements
  25. Adjournment Proceedings Adjournment Proceedings 4 statements