“The government needs less debt, a real limit on spending, and a plan to balance the budget. A former top finance official says so too.”

“Mr. Speaker, the government needs a serious fiscal anchor, less debt and a path to balanced budgets. That is what Kevin Lynch, former finance deputy minister and clerk— Some hon. members: Oh, oh!”

“The government needs a plan to control spending, lower the debt, and balance the budget. Top economists agree. Interest on our debt has doubled to $60 billion a year, which is more than we spend on health care or defence. Will the Prime Minister present a real plan in today's budget to cut the debt and these interest payments?”

“Mr. Speaker, the government needs a serious fiscal anchor, less debt and a path to a balanced budget. That is what Kevin Lynch, former deputy minister of finance and clerk, said today. It is what economist Chris Ragan said yesterday. It is what former finance official Don Drummond has been saying for months. The PBO has said that the interest on the national debt has doubled since 2021 to $60 billion a year, more than health care or defence. Will the Prime Minister deliver a credible fiscal anchor in today’s budget to reduce the debt and skyrocketing interest payments?”

“Our borrowing costs are going up and our economy is slowing down. The government is running out of money to handle the next crisis. It has failed to control its spending and borrowing. Will the Prime Minister put a real limit on spending in the next budget, and will he clearly show all the numbers?”

“Mr. Speaker, borrowing costs are rising, growth is stagnating and risks are tilted to the downside. Canada’s fiscal buffers are depleting, leaving us unable to deal with the next major crisis that the Prime Minister’s own national security strategy says could be coming. The government’s fiscal anchors have done little to rein in government spending and borrowing, so will the Prime Minister ensure a credible fiscal anchor in his budget, and more importantly, will he ensure a full accounting in the budget so we do not have to learn about things at some future investment conference?”

“The government is hiding billions of dollars of debt in other accounts to make their budget look better. I want to know who is going to pay for all this debt and how.”

“Mr. Speaker, the Liberals are masters of illusion. They say, “Look over here at the operating budget, but do not look over there, where we are taking on unprecedented levels of debt.” They say, “Look at the operating budget, but do not look over here, where we are hiding billions of dollars in Crown corporations.” They say, “Keep looking over here at the operating budget, not at the billions of dollars being relabelled into capital investments.” Who is going to pay for all this debt and how?”

• Little substance
  ?

  Opposition question in Question Period

  Signal 12 of 100

  Much of this statement went to praise, blame, greetings, routine procedure or general stories rather than reasons, requests or specific points.

  See full analysis →
• Echo ×3

  A repeated line

  “The Liberals are masters of illusion.”

  Said 3 times by 2 members since September 21.

  Every time it was said →

“The government did not answer my question. They use tricks to hide how much debt they have so they can borrow more. Their math counts Canadians' pension savings, but that is not the government's money to borrow against. When will they stop using our pensions to justify leaving debt to our children and grandchildren?”

“Mr. Speaker, there was a lot of shouting, but if you noticed, there was still no answer. The Liberals are masters of fiscal illusion. They are hiding behind the net debt-to-GDP ratio so they can borrow even more. What they do not tell us is that that calculation subtracts Canadians’ pensions, money that Canadians worked decades to save for retirement. That money is not for the finance minister to spend or borrow against. When will they stop using Canadians’ pensions to justify the amount of debt they are leaving for our children and our grandchildren?”

• Echo ×3

  A repeated line

  “The Liberals are masters of illusion.”

  Said 3 times by 2 members since September 21.

  Every time it was said →

“Canadians cannot afford this budget because it drives up costs. Many people with jobs still need food banks because life is too expensive. I want the Prime Minister to stop this spending.”

“Mr. Speaker, Canadians cannot afford another inflationary Liberal budget. Under the Liberals, millions of Canadians are lined up at food banks. According to a report from the Daily Bread Food Bank, 38% of food bank users are employed. That means even a paycheque no longer guarantees a full fridge under the government. While Canadians are working harder to get ahead, they keep falling further behind. Will the Prime Minister end this inflationary spending in today’s budget, or will Canadians keep paying the price?”

“In two hours, the Prime Minister, who is a banker, will present his budget.”

“Mr. Speaker, in two hours, the prominent banker that is the Prime Minister will table his budget. Some hon. members: Oh, oh!”

“The Prime Minister is about to present another deficit budget. This forces Canadians to pay more interest on government debt instead of spending money on groceries and housing. Will the Prime Minister promise that this budget cuts costs and lowers the deficit?”

“Mr. Speaker, in two hours, the Prime Minister will table yet another budget and become Canada’s undisputed champion of deficits. That is less than two hours away. He will ensure that all Canadians are forced to pay more interest on the debt. That is money that will not go toward supporting families. It is money that Canadians will send to the government instead of spending it on groceries, housing or everyday necessities. Can the Prime Minister at least guarantee that his budget will reduce the deficits and cut costs, so that Canadians can finally save some money?”