Translate Politics Parliament in plain language.

The Economy

During question period on the economy, Conservative member Bernard Généreux asked how the government will make life more affordable, citing a Dalhousie University report that Canadians are cutting back on groceries and skipping meals, and said higher prices, household debt and food bank use show the cost of Liberal spending. Liberal members responded by pointing to what they called Conservative plans for spending cuts, asking which projects and communities would be affected, and describing government investments in agri-food manufacturing from the economic update as a way to increase domestic food production and lower grocery prices.Written by AI from the debate. Updated .

Official text

5 statements

Bernard Généreux

Conservative
“Canadians are skipping meals because groceries cost too much. I want to know how the government will make life more affordable.”
Official Hansard

Madam Speaker, how can a G7 country brag when families are cutting back on groceries and skipping meals just to make ends meet? The Dalhousie University report states in no uncertain terms that Canadians are buying what they can afford, not what they need to eat. It is always the same old story with the Liberals, the same old tune on repeat. They pull out the credit card and spend without a second thought, and the bill always ends up on Canadians’ plates. How are the Liberals going to make life more affordable for Canadians?

View on ourcommons.ca Grade B+ View analysis

Caroline Desrochers

Liberal
“The Conservatives plan to cut spending. I want them to tell us which projects they will cut. Will they cut housing for seniors and students, or their agreement with Quebec?”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 0 of 100

    None of this answer addressed the specific question that was asked.

    See full analysis
Official Hansard

Madam Speaker, the Conservatives have always been very clear about their austerity agenda, but we are still waiting to find out which projects they intend to cut and in which communities. Would you make cuts in your constituency, which I visited a few weeks ago for the opening of affordable housing projects for seniors and students? Would you cut the infrastructure agreement with the Government of Quebec, involving an investment of nearly $1 billion? Would you cut the 865 units we announced with Quebec three weeks ago for affordable housing, transitional housing and vulnerable people? What are you going to cut? Please, tell us.

View on ourcommons.ca Grade F View analysis

Alexandra Mendès

Liberal
“I am not going to act on that. I am calling on the next member to speak.”
Official Hansard

The hon. parliamentary secretary knows that I am not going to do anything. The hon. member for Côte-du-Sud—Rivière-du-Loup—Kataskomiq—Témiscouata.

View on ourcommons.ca View analysis

Bernard Généreux

Conservative

Linked statement

“Life is getting too expensive because of Liberal spending. Groceries cost more, people have more debt, and more Canadians need food banks. The government cannot say that everything is fine.”

  • Opposition question in Question Period

    Respect 81 of 100

    This statement targeted a person rather than their actions or views: “she is taking us for fools”.

    See full analysis
Official Hansard

Madam Speaker, with all due respect to my colleague, she is taking us for fools. I hope I do not look like a puppet. Canadians are not stupid. Everything the Liberals are doing is going on the credit card. The reality on the ground is clear. Groceries are getting more and more expensive, household debt is rising and food banks across the country are overwhelmed. How can the Liberal government claim that everything is fine when more and more people are having to cut back on food and turn to food banks to put food on the table?

View on ourcommons.ca Grade A– View analysis

Sophie Chatel

Liberal
“Life is expensive right now. We are investing in Canadian food production to make more food here and lower grocery prices.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 94 of 100

    Of this answer, 92% addressed the question that was asked.

    See full analysis
Official Hansard

Madam Speaker, as we know, economic turmoil is making life more expensive for Canadians and Quebeckers. In the economic update, we are investing to develop a very important manufacturing sector in Canada. I am talking about the agri-food system. Following the superdeductions we announced in the last budget, we are now announcing a strategic Canada Strong fund that will allow us to invest in our agri-food system to produce more goods here in Canada and lower grocery prices. That is what building Canada is about.

View on ourcommons.ca Grade A– View analysis

Discussion

No comments yet

See the full discussion

Comment rules

More from sitting 115

All 38 items ·
  1. Government Orders Spring Economic Update 2026 Implementation Act 29 statements
  2. Oral Questions Finance 12 statements
  3. Oral Questions The Economy 4 statements
  4. Oral Questions Small Business 2 statements
  5. Oral Questions Finance 14 statements
  6. Oral Questions Finance 4 statements
  7. Oral Questions The Economy 5 statements
  8. Oral Questions Industry 2 statements
  9. Oral Questions The Economy 2 statements
  10. Oral Questions Finance 18 statements
  11. Oral Questions Sport 2 statements
  12. Oral Questions Health 6 statements
  13. Oral Questions Climate Change 2 statements
  14. Oral Questions Finance 2 statements
  15. Oral Questions Labour 2 statements
  16. Oral Questions Climate Change 2 statements
  17. Government Orders Spring Economic Update 2026 Implementation Act 20 statements
  18. Oral Questions Public Services and Procurement 4 statements
  19. Government Orders Privilege 2 statements
  20. Private Members' Business Offender Rehabilitation Act 14 statements
  21. Government Orders Spring Economic Update 2026 Implementation Act 21 statements