Finance

During Question Period on finance, Conservative members said the government’s budget update means more debt, spending and taxes, pointing to food insecurity and the cost of debt interest, and asked the government to cut spending and balance the budget so groceries and housing become affordable. Liberal ministers replied by listing major projects they said are creating jobs across the country, programs such as the groceries and essentials benefit, the school lunch program and the gas tax pause that they said help with living costs, and asked Conservatives to specify which spending they would cut. Most exchanges repeated these positions across several questioners.Written by AI from the debate. Updated .

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19 statements

Vincent Ho, Richmond Hill South

Conservative
“The government's budget update brings more debt, spending, and taxes. Millions of Canadians cannot afford enough food. I want the government to stop spending so much money and make food affordable.”
  • A repeated line

    “The Prime Minister is just another Liberal.”

    Said 22 times by 14 members since April 23.

    Every time it was said
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, this week’s costly Liberal budget update confirms what Canadians already feel at the checkout. This costly credit card budget means more debt, more costs, more spending, more taxes and more of the same. Nothing has changed, because the Liberal Prime Minister is just another costly Liberal, and he has doubled Trudeau’s deficit. According to the latest “Canadian Food Sentiment Index” report, Canadians are now choosing food based on price, not nutrition, and they are cutting back just to survive. Nearly 10 million Canadians face food insecurity. How many more warning lights have to flash before the Liberals stop swiping the national credit card and finally make food more affordable for Canadians?

David McGuinty, Minister of National Defence

Liberal
“Our major projects are investing billions of dollars and creating thousands of jobs across the country. The opposition should support this work instead of trying to stop it.”
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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, I think they want more, so let us give them more. There is 5 Wing Goose Bay, which is expected to create tens of thousands of jobs, with $8 billion; Bay du Nord, with thousands of jobs and $14 billion; Mersey River Wind project, with 200 construction jobs and $500 million; Nova Scotia and New Brunswick intertie, with 600 jobs and $6 billion; Port of Montreal’s Contrecoeur project, with 8,000 jobs and $1.2 billion; and Nouveau Monde Graphite, with 1,000 jobs and $1.8 billion. Mr. Speaker, this is a long list. Instead of obstructing, the members can get on board and help us build Canada.

Vincent Ho, Richmond Hill South

Conservative
“The government's budget spends too much money and adds to our debt. This causes higher prices and higher taxes. People cannot afford food, gas, and housing. I want the government to explain why it keeps spending and driving up costs instead of helping people.”
  • A repeated line

    “The Prime Minister is just another Liberal.”

    Said 22 times by 14 members since April 23.

    Every time it was said
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, that was a Google search of a list of things the Liberals have put on the national credit card. This costly credit card budget means more debt, more cost, more spending and more taxes. It is all more of the same. Nothing has changed. The Liberal Prime Minister is just another costly Liberal, except that he has managed to double Trudeau’s debt deficit. Food bank visits have doubled. One in three Canadians is borrowing just to eat, and families are feeling the pain at the grocery store. Deficits mean inflation today and taxes tomorrow, which the Liberals keep doubling down on. Why are the Liberals fanning the flames of the fire on costs and higher deficits instead of putting out the fire for Canadians struggling to afford groceries, gas and housing?

Maninder Sidhu, Minister of International Trade

Liberal
“Our projects are real and are creating tens of thousands of jobs across Canada. This is how we build a strong country.”
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  • A repeated line

    “That is how we build Canada strong.”

    Said 20 times by 14 members since April 23.

    Every time it was said
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, this is not a Google search. These are real projects with real workers building big things. There is Darlington’s new nuclear project in Bowmanville and its 18,000 jobs; the Port of Montreal expansion and its 8,000 jobs; the copper mine project in Saskatchewan and its 500 jobs; the Grays Bay road and port project, which is enabling 3,000 jobs; and the upcoming LNG Canada phase 2 and its 7,000 jobs. This is how we build Canada strong.

Laila Goodridge, Fort McMurray—Cold Lake

Conservative
“The Prime Minister has doubled the deficit. This borrowing leads to higher debt, inflation, and taxes, making food too expensive. When will the Prime Minister stop overspending so Canadians can afford to eat?”
  • A repeated line

    “When will the Liberal Prime Minister end his costly budgeting so Canadians can afford to live?”

    Said 13 times by 12 members since April 28.

    Every time it was said
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister, a former banker who should know a thing or two about economics, has doubled Trudeau’s deficit. Higher deficits lead to higher debt, higher inflation and ultimately higher taxes for Canadians. He is effectively running up the government’s credit card without any plan to tackle the principle. Families do not run their budgets this way. Liberal policies are just driving up costs, and nowhere is this more clear than a trip to the grocery store. Canadians now have the highest food inflation in the G7. When will the Liberal Prime Minister end his costly credit card budgeting so Canadians can afford to eat?

Corey Hogan, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources

Liberal
“We are spending money to help people pay for food and basic needs. We also paused the gas tax and lowered pension payments. Canada has the best economy of the top wealthy nations. If the Conservatives want to cut spending, they should say what they would cut.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, $4 billion in Cold Lake will be a nice start in helping develop the kind of overall community benefits that we are talking about. I have to say we have heard a lot of the same questions from across the way. We get the point. I think they like to talk about the fact that there are prices and deficits. Let us talk about the reality that we face right now. Let us just take a little look here. What is our fiscal position in the G7? It is the best. What are we looking at in terms of the investments we are making? We are looking at affordability, groceries and essentials, pausing the gas excise tax and reducing CPP contributions. If the Conservatives want to tell us what they want to cut—

Laila Goodridge, Fort McMurray—Cold Lake

Conservative
“Parents want to be able to afford food for their children without government help. I want the government to balance the budget and stop deficit spending so food costs less.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, here is a news flash: Families and parents want to feed their own kids. They do not want to have to rely on government just to be able to get by. I know it is hard for the Liberals to understand that, but that is what parents say every single day. My question is simple. Will the Liberals finally drop all of their deficit spending and bring things in budget? How many more reports have to come out before the Liberals stop this costly credit card spending and make food more affordable for families?

Corey Hogan, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources

Liberal
“I want the Conservatives to say which government spending they want to cut. We are spending money on school lunches and groceries to help Canadians afford things.”
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  • A repeated line

    “Such as the groceries and essentials benefit.”

    Said 5 times by 5 members since April 29.

    Every time it was said
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, I would love a direct question. Are we talking deficit spending, such as the school lunch program? Are we talking deficit spending, such as the groceries and essentials benefit? Are we talking deficit spending, such as the gas excise tax? I would love to know what deficit spending the Conservatives are worried about, because on this side, we are focused on affordability. We are going to make sure we are there for Canadians.

Grant Jackson, Brandon—Souris

Conservative
“The government is spending too much money. Canada will spend $60 billion this year just on interest for its debt instead of on health care or housing. I want the government to explain why it cannot spend less.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister unveiled another Liberal credit card budget, the 11th in a row, and doubled the last Trudeau deficit. This year, Canadians will spend $60 billion just to pay the interest on the debt that Canada already owes, and that number is only going up. That is $60 billion that is not going into health care, critical infrastructure, national defence or affordability measures to help Canadians put food on the table or a roof over their head. I have a simple question. What happened to last year’s Liberal slogan to spend less, invest more? Was that just a tagline to win an election? Are these guys actually incapable of reducing government spending?

Rebecca Chartrand, Minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs and Minister responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency

Liberal
“Our government is creating good jobs and helping trade in Manitoba. I want to know why the member opposite is against that.”
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Mr. Speaker, I do not know who that Manitoba MP is talking to, but when you look at what we are doing here, we have up to 100,000 new Red Seal workers, the Port of Churchill plus project is moving forward, and there are critical mineral jobs in Thompson and stronger trade corridors for Manitoba. What exactly is the member opposite against? Are you against good jobs, stronger supply chains—

Rebecca Chartrand, Minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs and Minister responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency

Liberal

Linked statement

“I want the member to support our plan. It creates good jobs, helps supply chains, and connects Manitoba to world trade.”
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Official Hansard

What is the member opposite against? Is it good jobs, supply chains or Manitoba becoming a global gateway? I do not understand what he is against. He needs to get on board.

Grant Jackson, Brandon—Souris

Conservative
“Liberal programs cost too much and do not work. Food and housing cost more, our debt has doubled, and poverty is up. The government keeps doing the same things and expecting different results.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, the Liberals have a long list of costly programs and a failure to get any major project approved for the province of Manitoba. I have not met a person yet who thinks any of those programs have made food or housing cheaper, or that those costly programs are actually well run. Housing and food have skyrocketed, and our debt has doubled. We have the highest youth unemployment in decades, no new major projects begun, record food bank lines and more children living below the poverty line than in years. These results, despite all the rhetoric about Liberal financial prowess, are the definition of insanity, which is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. After 11 years and no change, do these Liberals not fit the bill?

Rebecca Chartrand, Minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs and Minister responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency

Liberal
“Canadians want us to work together and get results. The member opposite has voted against programs that help people in Manitoba, like cheaper child care, grocery rebates, and school food for kids.”
  • Government answer in Question Period

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, Canadians sent this new Liberal government here to get things done, and that is exactly what we are doing. Canadians in Conservative ridings want to see us working together. They do not want excuses. They do not want slogans. They want results. The member opposite has voted against everything that will actually help Manitobans, including affordable child care, grocery rebates, automatic tax filing, cutting taxes at the pump and creating a national food program so children do not go hungry. I do not understand what he is against.

Marc Dalton, Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge

Conservative
“Too many Canadians cannot afford food because of government spending. I want the Prime Minister to stop this spending so people can buy what they need to eat.”
  • A repeated line

    “When will the Prime Minister end his costly credit card budgeting so that Canadians can afford to eat?”

    Said 4 times by 4 members since April 28.

    Every time it was said
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, it is a national disgrace that 80% of Canadians now say that food is their fastest-rising expense, and one in three are forced to borrow money just to eat. The Liberal government continues merrily on its way with its costly spending, forcing parents to make difficult choices at the grocery store. History shows that, as nations prosper, people eat better, but under the Liberals, Canadians are cutting back on meat and essential nutrition. When will the Prime Minister end his costly credit card budgeting, so all Canadians can afford to eat properly?

Jill McKnight, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence

Liberal
“We are investing in Canadians. We are spending $2 billion to help young people get into the skilled trades. This includes bonuses for certified workers and money for small businesses to hire apprentices.”
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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, my colleague is from British Columbia, and he is saying that people are concerned that we are not making enough investments in Canadians. We are making those investments in Canadians. We know that an ambitious Canada needs skilled trade workers. We are investing $2 billion to encourage young people to pursue careers in the skilled trades. We are investing in a training top-up and a $5,000 Red Seal bonus. We are investing $10,000 per apprentice in SMEs across British Columbia. We are building Canada strong.

Dalwinder Gill, Calgary McKnight

Conservative
“Millions of Canadians cannot afford food because government spending has driven up prices. When will the Prime Minister stop running large deficits so people can afford to eat?”
  • A repeated line

    “After 11 years of the Liberal government.”

    Said 25 times by 19 members since April 30.

    Every time it was said
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, after 11 years of the Liberal government, almost one in four Canadians is living in a food-insecure household. One in three is borrowing money just to afford food, and two million Canadians visit food banks each month. Canadians know that deficits lead to higher inflation today and higher taxes tomorrow. The Liberal Prime Minister has now doubled Trudeau’s deficit. When will the Prime Minister end his costly credit card budgeting so that Canadians can afford to eat?

Corey Hogan, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources

Liberal
“Our government is investing in people through programs that help with grocery and fuel costs. Albertans are excited about our agreement to build new energy projects and fight climate change, while oil production is at a record high. The Conservatives should support this.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, I almost do not know what to say. Calgarians certainly know the difference between credit card purchases and investments, such as investments in themselves. That is what we are doing with the groceries and essentials benefit. That is what we are doing with the gas tax. l will tell members something else. Albertans are very excited and Calgarians are very excited because of the MOU with Alberta, which is finding our path forward to new energy infrastructure and durable climate action. We are seeing record production. We would think that would be something the Conservatives would be excited about.

Kevin Waugh, Saskatoon South

Conservative
“The government is spending too much money and raising taxes. This makes groceries more expensive for Canadians. I want the Prime Minister to admit this.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, maxing one’s credit card only adds to the financial pain. The government has proposed yet another credit card budget. That means more costs, more spending, more taxes and more of the same. Nothing has changed. The Prime Minister is just another costly Liberal who has doubled Trudeau’s massive deficit. Will the Prime Minister admit that this is more of the same from the past 10 years, and that, now, Canadians are paying the price at the grocery stores?

Buckley Belanger, Secretary of State (Rural Development)

Liberal
“Compare our government to the Conservatives, not to perfection. We can build up Canada and Saskatchewan. Conservative MPs from Saskatchewan have done nothing for eight years.”
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Mr. Speaker, I ask Canadians to not compare the new government to perfection but to compare us to the opposition. Our Prime Minister and our government have the ability, the credibility and the capability to build the country up, and Saskatchewan is in. In terms of comparison, I checked with what the Saskatchewan Conservative MPs have done. Year one, they did nothing. Year two, they did nothing. Year three, they did nothing. Year four, they did nothing. Year five, they did nothing. Year six, they did nothing. Year seven, they did nothing. Year eight, they did nothing.

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