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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

3 statements

Adam van Koeverden

Liberal
“We listen to Food Banks Canada. Their report praises our programs for groceries, school food, housing, and disability benefits. The Conservatives voted against all of those programs.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, on this side of the House, we not only thank the Food Banks Canada network for its important advocacy, but also read those reports and heed their advice. That is why in the third paragraph of the report that the member would have read, it says, “In recent years, we have welcomed and see hope in measures such as the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit, the National School Food Program”, which the member continues to deride, “Build Canada Homes and the Canada Disability Benefit.” It is worth noting that all of the measures the food banks network is supporting and recommending that we are doing, they voted against.

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Anna Gainey

Liberal
“We know Canadians are struggling with the high cost of living. That is why our government took steps to lower costs and reduce poverty, and we will keep supporting families.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, we thank the Salvation Army for its report this morning. We are aware of the challenges Canadians are facing, particularly when it comes to the cost of living. That is why we have put in place measures to make life more affordable and reduce poverty. We will continue to be there for Canadian families.

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Anna Gainey

Liberal
“We are helping Canadians with the cost of living. We cut fuel taxes and other taxes for 22 million people. We gave 12 million people money for groceries and basics. We also fund school food programs and cheap child care, all while growing the economy and creating jobs.”

  • A repeated line

    “We introduced the Canada groceries and essentials benefit.”

    Said 31 times by 20 members since April 23.

    Every time it was said
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, we continue to take action on affordability and help Canadians. We cut fuel taxes. We cut taxes for 22 million Canadians. We introduced the Canada groceries and essentials benefit for 12 million Canadians. We continue to support the school food program and affordable child care. We are doing all this while growing our economy and creating good jobs for Quebeckers and Canadians across the country.

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