François-Philippe Champagne

In response to a question from Jasraj Hallan

“I want the member to vote for this bill. It gives 12 million Canadians money for groceries and essentials. Families need this help.”

“Madam Chair, my colleague will be happy to report to his constituents that on June 5 the Canada groceries and essentials benefit will be helping 12 million Canadians. I am sure that among these 12 million Canadians there are constituents of my colleague’s. This is the kind of boost that families need, and I expect my colleague will vote for Bill C-30 to put that measure in place.”

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In response to a question from Jasraj Hallan

“Supply chain problems and a major energy crisis are driving up food prices in Canada and around the world.”

“Madam Chair, the member is a very experienced member of this House. He would probably know that there have been a number of challenges with respect to the supply chain and that we are living through the most important energy crisis we have seen. Therefore, we have seen inflation, not only in Canada, in food prices, but—”

In response to a question from Gérard Deltell

“The Prime Minister and the finance minister lowered this year's deficit by 11 billion dollars. Our spending is careful and responsible, and Canadians can trust our plan.”

“Madam Chair, I am pleased to tell everyone in Quebec City who is listening that this Minister of Finance, together with the Prime Minister, has managed to reduce the deficit by $11 billion for the current year. I think people understand that we have adopted a fiscal stance that is reasonable, disciplined and as rigorous as the current situation demands. This should give confidence to all Canadians, including, of course, the people of Quebec City.”

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In response to a question from Gérard Deltell

“We used most of our extra seven billion dollars to help Canadians. We know people are worried about the cost of housing, food, and gas. We are taking action to make all three cheaper.”

“Madam Chair, my colleague is an experienced member of Parliament for whom I have the utmost respect, and he knows it. Two-thirds of the $7 billion in additional revenue we have received has been allocated to help Canadians. Like him, I know that the primary concern for Canadians is affordability. It is the cost of housing, the cost of food and the cost of gas. He will be pleased to announce to his constituents in Quebec City that we have taken action on all three fronts to make life more affordable for Canadians.”

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In response to a question from Gérard Deltell

“Our planned deficit is $11 billion lower than we predicted last year. Global experts can see that we are managing Canada's money carefully and responsibly.”

“Madam Chair, my colleague will be pleased to see that, in fact, the projected deficit is $11 billion lower than what was projected in budget 2025. Under my leadership, we have presented a deficit that is $11 billion lower. Agencies around the world have seen that Canada has taken a serious position on taxation, that we are fiscally responsible and that we are acting with the rigour that the current situation demands.”

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In response to a question from Gérard Deltell

“I have always worked for Canadians. Our government has made big investments to grow the economy, and I am continuing that work as finance minister.”

“Madam Chair, I would like to thank my colleague for saying such kind things about me. It is true that we were both elected at the same time, in 2015. He is right. I have always worked to advance the interests of Canadian citizens. It is true that, during those years, we presented a generational investment plan to grow the economy and have the strongest economy in the G7. That work continues now that I am the Minister of Finance.”

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In response to a question from Gérard Deltell

“I am happy to testify at the committee. I promised to find a solution for the people of Laval, and I did. The mayor of Laval thanked me for our work together on this.”

“Madam Chair, I would be pleased to come testify in committee. However, as my colleague said, I made a commitment to find a solution in the interest of the people of Laval. That is exactly what we did, to the satisfaction of the mayor of Laval, Mr. Boyer, who personally expressed his appreciation for the work we accomplished together to resolve this situation.”

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In response to a question from Pat Kelly

“Expert Kevin Page says our target to balance the operating budget in 2028-29 will limit government spending more than rules tied to the size of the economy.”

“Madam Chair, in the spirit of teaching my colleague some of the facts, let me quote Kevin Page. He said, “The hard target of a balanced operating budget in 2028‑29 will put more constraints on the government than would fiscal rules tied to changes in the size of the economy”. This is coming from Kevin Page.”

In response to a question from Pat Kelly

“Our government has two financial goals. First, we want the deficit to get smaller compared to the size of the economy. Second, we want to balance the operating budget by 2028.”

“Madam Chair, I will be happy to remind my colleague, who is a learned member of the House, that we have two fiscal anchors. One is a declining deficit-to-GDP ratio. The other is to balance the operating budget with revenues by 2028-29. Those are the two fiscal anchors of the Government of Canada.”

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In response to a question from Pat Kelly

“The International Monetary Fund says Canada's finances are the strongest in the G7, and our economy is growing second fastest. Canada is doing well financially.”

“Madam Chair, the member will be pleased to hear that the International Monetary Fund just stated that Canada has the strongest fiscal position in the G7. Actually, we have the second-fastest growth in the G7. I am sure that my colleague will be happy to report to his constituents that the country is on a good fiscal track.”

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• Echo ×12

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  “We have the second-fastest growth in the G7.”

  Said 12 times by 5 members since April 24.

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In response to a question from Pat Kelly

“The cost to pay our debt is lower than it was in the 1990s and below the 40-year average. Canada's finances are in good shape.”

“Madam Chair, again, it is going to be a very interesting evening. I look forward to the question because, in fact, what I was saying is that the debt charges, as a percentage of GDP, are not only lower than they were in the 1990s, but they are below the historical average of 40 years, which was 3.2%. I think the member should be happy to see that the country is on a very solid fiscal track.”

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In response to a question from Pat Kelly

“The cost to pay our debt will only be 1.7 percent of our economy in 2026. That is much lower than the 6.5 percent we saw in the 1990s. Our country's finances are in good shape.”

“Madam Chair, as I said, it is going to be interesting for Canadians to learn that the projected debt charge, as a percentage of GDP, for 2026-27 will be 1.7%. That is far below the peak of 6.5% that Canadians faced in the 1990s. What I am saying is that we are on a very solid fiscal track.”

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In response to a question from Pat Kelly

“Canada is in a very strong financial position. The cost to pay our national debt is close to 2 percent, which is much lower than the 6 percent it was in the 1990s.”

“Madam Chair, my colleague will be happy to learn, because tonight is a learning exercise for my colleagues, that in fact the percentage, when we look at the debt charge of Canada, is pretty low by historical standards. It is close to 2%. If we look at the historical figures in the 1990s, they were around 6%. I would say that Canada is in a very strong fiscal position.”

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In response to a question from Pat Kelly

“Our government is investing heavily in housing, infrastructure, and innovation. The International Monetary Fund agrees that our economic plan creates growth.”

“Madam Chair, it is a real pleasure to be spending the whole evening with my colleagues. My colleague will be happy to learn, because I know he will be very interested, that we made generational investments in infrastructure, housing, productivity and innovation. The plan of Canada, according to the International Monetary Fund, is the way forward in order to create growth. I am sure tonight my colleague will be very happy to know that the country is going to be building the strongest economy in the G7 and that we have made generational investments in infrastructure.”

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In response to a question from Eric Lefebvre

“People want us to be careful with money, but they also want help with housing and food. We are using government revenue to help make things more affordable. We also paused the fuel tax to lower gas prices, even though world oil prices control most of that cost.”

“Mr. Speaker, I would also like to compliment my colleague from Richmond—Arthabaska for speaking in both languages in the House. Doing that in the House is important. My reply has two parts. First, I know many people in Richmond—Arthabaska, and I think that his constituents want fiscal responsibility and discipline. They understand that additional revenues have been raised and they also understand that a portion of these revenues are going toward help with housing and groceries. These measures are going to support affordability. I think that the impact of temporarily suspending the excise tax on gas is already having a direct impact at the pumps. However, my colleague is well aware that over 80% of the price at the pump is determined by global oil prices. We are ready to do our part, and we have done it. I think that the people of Richmond—Arthabaska can see that our government will always be there to help them in their time of need.”

In response to a question from Elizabeth May

“We are spending two-thirds of the government's seven billion dollars in new revenue to help people right now. We are putting that money toward housing and groceries because people are worried about paying their bills today.”

“Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague for that important question. I am grateful to her. She has always encouraged the House to consider measures that will help Canadians across the country. She will be pleased to learn that, as I was saying, in the 2026 spring economic update, we actually put two-thirds of that $7 billion in additional revenue toward helping people. We are helping them with housing and groceries because I believe that is what matters right now. Yes, investing for the future is important, but people are worried about making it to the end of the week or the end of the month. They want us to help them now, while we are building a strong country together. I think my colleague understands that we have demonstrated fiscal discipline while showing up with compassion to help Canadians in their time of need.”

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In response to a question from Serge Cormier

“Our government helps families by making housing more affordable and giving parents money through the child benefit. The Conservatives vote against these supports.”

“Mr. Speaker, I recognize the wisdom behind my colleague’s question. Yes, when it was time to stand up for Canadians, the Conservatives remained seated. When it was time to stand up for families, the Conservatives were nowhere to be found. I remember the votes. It is important to vote for affordability at every opportunity. My colleague is right. What I saw with him in New Brunswick, we are seeing across the country. That is why Canada is a leader. We have taken action on affordable housing. That is the first pillar of affordability. We were there with the Canada child benefit. We want to talk about what we have already done, which is obviously helping families across the country. If there is one thing people watching at home know, it is that we on this side of the House will always stand up to support families and Canadians when they need it.”

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In response to a question from Xavier Barsalou-Duval

“I want the Bloc Québécois to vote for this budget bill. It will help Canadians deal with the high costs of housing, groceries, and gas.”

“Mr. Speaker, my colleague’s question also gives me the opportunity to speak in the language of Molière, whom we all admire here in the House. The Bloc Québécois members may not have said it yet, but I look at them this morning and I can see it in their smiles and in their hearts. I think they are going to vote for Bill C-30 because they know that Quebeckers need this help. I believe that, as members here in the House, we all need to support Canadians at a time like this. When my colleague goes to his riding, he is aware, just as I am, of the issues surrounding housing affordability, grocery prices, and gas prices. These are important issues, but it is important to note that Bill C-30 will bring this measure into effect. I hope that my colleague will not only ask a question this morning, but also take meaningful action to support lowering costs and lend a helping hand to Canadian families.”

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In response to a question from Costas Menegakis

“The member is right that Canadians care about the cost of rent, food, and gas. Our government is already helping. We are building more affordable homes, sending money for groceries to 12 million people, lowering income taxes for 22 million people, and pausing the fuel tax.”

“Mr. Speaker, I am glad to hear that my Conservative colleague realizes the reality in this country. He is right to say that what concerns Canadians is the price of rent, the price of food and the price of gas. I am sure he is going to go back to his constituents soon, and the good news is that he will be able to explain to them that in fact the Government of Canada has already acted to provide more affordable housing, which is the first pillar of affordability. That way, the grocery and essentials benefit is going to make a difference in the lives of 12 million Canadians. He is probably going to talk also about the fact that we have reduced taxes for the first bracket, from 15% to 14%, helping 22 million Canadians. I am sure, because I know him, that he is going to talk also about the fact that we have suspended the fuel excise tax, which is providing meaningful support to Canadians across the country.”

• Echo ×5

  A repeated line

  “The price of food and the price of gas.”

  Said 5 times by 2 members since May 26.

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