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Finance

During Question Period on finance, the Conservatives said debt interest costs now exceed what the government spends on health care or collects in GST, criticized spending on items like the federal gun program and debt interest, and asked why the government will not cut all gas taxes for the rest of the year. Liberals replied that Canada has the best debt-to-GDP and fiscal position in the G7, one of the fastest-growing economies, and wages outpacing inflation, and asked the Conservatives to name which programs they would cut, suggesting their spending criticism could include old age security, the Canada child benefit, or the school food program.Written by AI from the debate. Updated .

Official text

5 statements

Sandra Cobena

Conservative

Linked statement

“Canada now pays more on debt interest than the government spends on health care. I want to know why the Liberals will not adopt our plan to cut all gas taxes for the rest of the year.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, the Liberal Prime Minister’s $1-trillion debt means more taxes, more costs and more of the same. After 11 years of Liberals, Canadians are now paying more on interest on our national debt than the government collects on GST and spends on health care. Why will the Liberals not follow our Conservative plan to cut all gas taxes for the rest of the year? Is it because they have lost control of their spending, or is it because they simply do not care?

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Wayne Long

Liberal
“The Conservatives are misleading Canadians about the economy, and I want to share the real facts.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 0 of 100

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

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, despite the Conservative leader and his party’s best efforts to mislead Canadians about the economy, let us look at some facts— Some hon. members: Oh, oh!

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Wayne Long

Liberal
“Canada's economy is doing well. We have the best debt-to-GDP ratio and fiscal position in the G7, the second-fastest growing economy, and wages are growing faster than inflation.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Signal 44 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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  • Government answer in Question Period

    Clarity 36 of 100

    Much of this statement used imprecise wording, lacked details on timing or responsibility, or made broad claims without support.

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  • A repeated line

    “The Prime Minister promised the fastest-growing economy in the G7.”

    Said 10 times by 7 members since April 27.

    Every time it was said
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, despite that leader and his party’s best effort to paint the wrong narrative, the facts are very clear: best net debt-to-GDP in the G7, strongest fiscal position in the G7, second-fastest growing economy in the G7. Wages are outpacing inflation. Despite the rhetoric on that side, Canadians know our economy is growing. We are going to build— Some hon. members: Oh, oh!

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Sandra Cobena

Conservative
“The government wastes money on failed programs, debt interest, and expensive airplane food. I want it to cut all gas taxes for the rest of the year.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, we can follow the money and we will know what the Liberal government really cares about. It has wasted $750 million on a failed gun grab, $300 million on the PrescribeIT scandal, $80 billion on interest payments for bankers and bondholders and over half a million dollars on the Prime Minister’s catering on flights. What was he having, gold flakes on his cappuccinos? Why will the Liberals not cut all taxes on gas for the rest of the year? Is it because they care more about Liberal insiders than everyday Canadians?

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Steven MacKinnon

Liberal
“I want the Conservatives to say which government programs they want to cut. They call this spending inflationary, but they will not say if they mean pensions, child benefits, or school food programs.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 46 of 100

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

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, it has been several days, if not weeks, since we asked the Conservatives to table a list of programs they would like to cut, things that they label “inflationary spending”. The possibilities are old age security, the Canada child benefit, the school food program, support to our workers, building the country, building major projects and building it strong. Which of these things are inflationary spending in the eyes of the Conservative Party?

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