Rachael Thomas

“Diesel costs more in Canada than in the United States. High fuel costs make it expensive for farmers to grow and transport food, which raises grocery bills for families. We have a plan to fix this tomorrow, and I want the government to vote for it.”

“Mr. Speaker, it is clear that the Liberals are completely out of touch, because the cost of diesel in Canada is far more than the cost of diesel in the United States of America, which has been equally impacted by global markets. That argument just does not work. At the end of the day, farmers have a job to do, and it is to produce food, but that means being able to take the crop off the field, and it means being able to get commodity to market and ultimately to get food on store shelves. That all takes money because of diesel costs. At the end of the day, it is the consumer who pays those costs. It is Canadian families. We as Conservatives have a plan. We are putting it on the table. We are bringing it forward tomorrow. We would love to work with the government on it. Will it vote yes—”

“Canada's inflation is uniquely bad because of this government's choices, not just global issues. It is driving up the cost of everything. I want my colleague to say more about why our inflation is different from other countries.”

“Mr. Speaker, my hon. colleague gave a compelling speech with regard to Canada’s economic state, the inflationary measures the government has put in place and how they are a net detriment to the Canadian people. One of the statements she made is that the level of inflation we are experiencing in Canada is in fact unique; it is problematic to us. The current Liberal government would like Canadians to believe that it is being experienced globally. However, that is not the case. Canada is in fact a stand-alone nation in the way that inflation is impacting its people and driving up the cost of everything. I wonder if my colleague would care to expand on that further.”

“Child poverty has gone up for the last three years under this government. People in my riding are struggling to afford a place to live. The government needs to change its policies so Canadians can afford life again.”

“Mr. Speaker, I think what that member meant to highlight was the fact that under the Liberal government, child poverty rates have increased year after year after year for the last three. This dramatically impacts the people of my riding in Lethbridge, Alberta. It means that seniors in this country are living at Tim Hortons. It means that full-time workers are living out of their RVs. Why does the government turn a blind eye to the reality of Canadians while it is living high on the horse? Why does it not reverse its policy so Canadians can finally afford to live again?”

“The Liberals want this bill passed quickly, and they have the power to schedule the final debate for next week. I want to know why they are not doing that.”

“Mr. Speaker, because the hon. member has chosen to spend the majority of his speech on process, I will ask him a process question. The current government, the Liberals, they are the ones who sponsored this bill; the hon. member did, from that side of the House. They also control the agenda for this place and would therefore have the ability to move this bill, in its second hour of debate at third reading, to next week before the House rises. They could trade it up in the system, as we say. For whatever reason, they have chosen not to do that. I am curious as to why, if they want this bill passed so quickly, they are not taking that responsibility.”

“I want to congratulate the town of Picture Butte on its 100th anniversary. I am thanking the farmers, workers, and families who built the community and help feed Canadians.”

“Mr. Speaker, it is my great pleasure to rise in the House today to extend congratulations to the town of Picture Butte on its 100th anniversary. For a century, Picture Butte has been shaped by the values that define rural Canada: hard work, family and community spirit. What began as a small prairie settlement, marked by the establishment of its post office, has now grown into the livestock feeding capital of the entire country. That title reflects more than just an industry. It reflects generations of farmers, ranchers, workers and families whose dedication has helped feed Canadians and strengthen southern Alberta’s economy. From its farms and local businesses to its schools, churches and volunteers, Picture Butte continues to represent the very best of southern Alberta. To everyone who has built, served and strengthened this community over the past century, I wish to extend my sincere gratitude. Their legacy is one of vision, determination and generosity. As the member of Parliament for Lethbridge, I congratulate them on 100 years.”

“Canadians are struggling to afford food and pay their bills. What will the government do to help them?”

“Mr. Speaker, with respect, the small craft harbours do not conquer the food poverty that children across this country are experiencing, especially those in my riding of Lethbridge. With all due respect, I would ask the folks across the way what they will do for Canadians, because they are struggling. They are struggling. Sixty per cent of them are unable to sleep at night because they are not sure how they are going to make ends meet. Forty per cent of Canadians are struggling because of food insecurity. That is the reality. The government can turn a blind eye and pretend that is not its reality, but at the end of the day, Canadians tell the truth, always, because it is their lived experience. To tell them otherwise is blasphemy from the government. What are you going to do about it?”

• Little substance
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  Opposition question in Question Period

  Signal 42 of 100

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

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“Families in my riding cannot afford food while the Prime Minister wastes taxpayer money on luxury travel. I want to know if he is enjoying his expensive lifestyle while Canadians suffer through a recession.”

“Madam Speaker, what the member just said is that those children in my riding who are suffering from poverty and food insecurity should be thankful for the government because they have never had it so good. Shame on that member for claiming that. These are individuals who are finding it very difficult to make ends meet. Food insecurity is rising and Canadians are struggling. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister splurges on fine wines, braised beef, Normandy butter cups and all sorts of things, while jetting around the world. Is he enjoying his luxurious lifestyle at the expense of taxpayers during a true recession or is it just a technical recession?”

“The Prime Minister caused a recession, and now more people are going hungry. Food bank visits have doubled since 2020. The government needs to stop spending so much money and cut rules that hurt business.”

“Mr. Speaker, while the current Prime Minister is the only G7 leader to take his country into a recession, the consequences are felt by Canadians from coast to coast. Food Banks Canada just released its poverty report card for 2026, and it shows that one in four Canadians is food-insecure and food bank visits have doubled since 2020. These are not just stats; these are real people with real stories. Parents call my office saying that they are giving up meals in order to make sure that their kids have enough to eat, but the Prime Minister refuses to take responsibility. Hard-working families cannot get ahead when they are left carrying the cost of Liberal waste, runaway spending and failed policies. Canadians cannot afford more of the same. They deserve a government that will end inflationary spending, repeal antidevelopment laws and cut excessive red tape. We Conservatives will unleash Canada’s economic potential. We will ensure Canadians keep more of their hard-earned dollars and we will build a more prosperous future for generations to come. Canadians do not need a government that stands in their way. They need one that is going to help them get ahead.”

“Canada is now in a recession, and we are the only G7 country in one. I blame the Prime Minister's spending for this. It hurts families, seniors, and students. I want my colleague to talk more about how this affects Canadians.”

“Mr. Speaker, my hon. colleague talked about where Canada is at economically. I would like him to drill down on that further and its impact on Canadians. What I mean is that the Liberal government has spent and spent for over a decade, and today we learned that Canada is now in a recession. It is the only G7 country to enter into that. That is due to the current Prime Minister’s policies. That is more than stats on a page. That impacts Canadians. It impacts families. It impacts seniors. It impacts students. It impacts those who are simply trying to make ends meet. I am curious if my colleague would care to expand on that impact.”

“Canada is the only G7 country in a recession because of the Prime Minister. He lives a rich life, but normal Canadians are using food banks, losing their homes, and going bankrupt. I want the government to act.”

“Mr. Speaker, those same global problems are being experienced by all countries within the G7, but only Canada’s leader, only Canada’s Prime Minister, has led this country into a recession. It is only Canada. He is not worried, but why would he be? He is fine. He is fine because, again, he is enjoying fine wine, he is enjoying braised beef and he is enjoying luxury Normandy butter cups, whatever the heck that is. That is his reality, but that is not the reality of Canadians. Canadians are lining up at food banks like never before. Canadians are defaulting on their mortgages, and Canadians are declaring bankruptcy. When will the government wake up to reality, the reality that is faced by everyday Canadians, and do something about it?”

“Many Canadian families spend more than they earn just on rent and food. The government should stop the CRTC from adding a new tax to their monthly bills.”

“Mr. Speaker, let us talk about the strength of our economy, because it is directly reflected in how well a household is doing. Right now, many households in Canada are paying 120% of their income just to cover rent and food. It is not 100%, but 120%. This Liberal government’s policies are now going to add another tax to their regular monthly bills. That is punitive in nature, but this government has the ability to do something about that. Will the Liberals instruct the CRTC to back off and scrap the tax?”

“The government is forcing online streaming services to follow the same strict rules and pay the same taxes as traditional broadcasters. Instead of restricting everyone, the government should give creators and viewers more freedom to choose what they make and watch.”

“Madam Speaker, that was quite something. The member talked about levelling the playing field. Interestingly enough, the Broadcasting Act was put in place originally to try to make sure that the limited airwaves that were available through radio and television would be shared. There would be French and there would be English. The other thing that it did was make sure that traditional broadcasters contributed to a pot of money in order to create Canadian content. Those traditional broadcasters could also pull from that pot of money. They could apply for grants and contributions in order to produce that content. Online streamers came onto the playing field and they did not have to do those things, so the government made the determination that it should be equally punitive to everyone. Everyone should have to pay a tax. Everyone should be limited in what they could produce. Everyone should have the government dictate what is Canadian and what is not Canadian in terms of content. However, the government had another option. It could have levelled the playing field by actually giving everyone freedom to produce what Canadians want and freedom to stream what Canadians most want to view or listen to. That was the other choice. The choice was freedom and competition and in the interest of consumers. Why did the government not choose that option?”