“Quebec does not like this budget. Quebec asked the government not to cut health care. But this budget will slow down health funding growth starting in 2028. That means people will miss out on care and hospitals will not be fixed. The government should not cut health care.”

“Mr. Speaker, this budget got a very poor reception in Quebec. The president of Quebec’s Treasury Board gave it a failing grade, and for good reason. Quebec simply asked that Ottawa not make cuts to health care. However, the budget confirms the federal government’s intent to lower the health transfer escalator from 5% to 3% as of 2028. That means care that will not be provided and hospitals that will not be renovated. Health care is a priority for Quebeckers. How can this government dare to table a budget with health care cuts?”

“This budget does not give Quebec more health care money. It also does not repay Quebec the nearly $700 million it spent to welcome asylum seekers. The government has delayed paying this debt for too long, and I want them to pay Quebeckers back.”

“Mr. Speaker, Quebec had two demands with respect to this budget: health care and the reimbursement of nearly $700 million owed to Quebec for welcoming asylum seekers, because we are the ones looking after them. The federal government has been dragging its feet on this debt to Quebec since 2024, when Quebec was taking in a disproportionate share of asylum seekers, without the federal government providing any assistance or ensuring fair distribution. As the saying goes, a debt paid is a friend kept. On this issue, however, the federal government has not been treating Quebec like a friend. Why do the Liberals have money for everything except repaying their debts to Quebeckers?”

“The government says it has no money for Quebec's health care, but it put $300 million in the budget to promote Canada. Quebeckers are waiting 12 hours in emergency rooms. The government does not understand our priorities.”

“Mr. Speaker, the federal government does not have any money for Quebec’s requests, including for health care, but it has plenty of money for Canadian propaganda. There is $300 million in the Liberal budget to plaster the maple leaf everywhere, $300 million to bring back Heritage Minutes and celebrate Canada’s 160th anniversary. How nice is that? We will be able to watch the new Heritage Minutes on TV while we wait 12 hours in the emergency room. It is absurd. How can anyone be so out of touch with the priorities of Quebeckers?”