Translate Politics Parliament in plain language.

The Economy

Question period focused on the economy, with Conservatives saying Canada is the only G7 country in a recession, pointing to job losses, falling GDP, rising food bank use, and what they called wasteful government spending, and asking why Canada is faring worse than other countries. Liberal ministers replied that the government has an economic plan, citing job-creating projects, the Canada groceries and essentials benefit arriving Friday, the national school food program, dental care, tax rebates, and support for Canadian industries like canola, potash and uranium, and arguing Conservatives vote against these supports. Several exchanges turned on each side accusing the other of political points rather than answers.Written by AI from the debate. Updated .

Official text

26 statements

Ned Kuruc

Conservative
“The Prime Minister said our economy is growing fast, but it shrank for two quarters in a row. Canada is the only G7 country in a recession. The Liberals blame global issues, but other countries face those same issues and are not in a recession.”

  • A repeated line

    “Canada is the only G20 country in a recession.”

    Said 104 times by 61 members since May 29.

    Every time it was said
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, I do not know if I am in the House of Commons or the twilight zone. Last Thursday, the Liberal Prime Minister went around telling everyone that we have the second-fastest growing economy in the G7, but on Friday, Statistics Canada reported that our economy shrank in two consecutive quarters. We are in a recession. Canada is the only G7 country in a recession. Today, Liberals are blaming tariffs and global conflicts, but if that is the case, why is no other G7 country facing the same headwinds in a recession?

View on ourcommons.ca Grade A View analysis

Adam van Koeverden

Liberal
“Global events like wars, climate change, and tariffs hurt our economy. Our government helps Canadians through benefits for groceries and children, but the Conservatives vote against that support.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, only the Conservatives think that global factors such as wars, climate change and tariffs are a conspiracy theory. They are not a conspiracy theory. They do have an impact on our local economy. What is our government doing? We are responding in ways that help Canadians, like the groceries and essentials benefit, which that member from Hamilton East—Stoney Creek voted against. How about the 20,000 people in his riding who rely on the Canada child benefit? He voted against that, too. I suppose I will congratulate the leader of the Conservatives on one thing. He has managed to whip all those Conservatives up to ask only four questions this entire question period. At least they are consistent.

View on ourcommons.ca Grade B View analysis

Ned Kuruc

Conservative
“Canada is in a recession and the Liberals have failed Canadians. People in Hamilton need secure jobs and paycheques that cover their groceries. Food banks are struggling and giving the government failing grades. I want the Liberals to start helping people.”

  • A repeated line

    “Canada is the only G20 country in a recession.”

    Said 104 times by 61 members since May 29.

    Every time it was said
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, let me repeat to that out-of-touch Liberal, Canada is the only G7 country in a recession. That member has failed Canada. The Liberals have failed Canada. Parents in Hamilton want job security, a tariff deal and paycheques that can afford groceries. The Stoney Creek Community Food Bank is serving over 120 families per week. The Food Banks Canada report card came out yesterday, and the Liberals got a D+. When will the Liberals stop gaslighting Canadians and start working for Canadians?

View on ourcommons.ca Grade A+ View analysis

Adam van Koeverden

Liberal
“Our government is creating jobs and helping families with the cost of food and dental care. The Conservatives keep voting against this help.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Respect 93 of 100

    This statement targeted a person rather than their actions or views: “He should be ashamed of himself”.

    See full analysis

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Clarity 37 of 100

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

    See full analysis
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, on this side of the House, we are busy making jobs happen in Hamilton East—Stoney Creek while that member votes against policies that support families in his riding, like the Canada child benefit, dental and the groceries and essentials benefit. That member is cherry-picking things out of the groceries and essentials benefit and from Food Banks Canada. He should be ashamed of himself. We are following the instructions from Food Banks Canada. We are putting on the record that we are here to help families with jobs and with the groceries and essentials benefit. All the Conservatives can do is read the same tired speeches from their leader into the record over and over again, while we are busy, on this side, helping Canadians.

View on ourcommons.ca Grade C+ View analysis

Doug Shipley

Conservative
“Canada is in a recession, and it is driving up food bank visits in my community. If this is a global problem, why is no other G7 country in a recession?”

  • A repeated line

    “Canada is the only G20 country in a recession.”

    Said 104 times by 61 members since May 29.

    Every time it was said
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, Canada is the only G7 country currently in a recession. This made-in-Canada recession has caused food bank usage to surge. In my community, the Barrie Food Bank is now supporting 8,000 clients per month, up from just 1,000 at the beginning of 2020. According to the executive director of the Barrie Food Bank, the organization recorded more than 8,000 visits in March alone. This represents a 12% year-over-year increase, including 377 first-time visits, which is up 30% from 2025. If Canada’s recession were truly driven by global energy and tariff pressures, why is no other G7—

View on ourcommons.ca Grade A+ View analysis

Leslie Church

Liberal

Linked statement

“The Conservatives keep voting against help for Canadians. The member voted against money for groceries that over 40,000 people in his own area will receive this week.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 14 of 100

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

    See full analysis
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, all Canadians, including this government, are hoping for an end to the volatility that we have seen across the world that affects us in our local communities. I hope that member takes a moment to consider why he voted against the groceries and essentials benefit, which is being delivered to Canadians this Friday. Over 40,000 constituents in his riding are going to receive that benefit. These are important supports, and the Conservatives continuously vote against the very measures that are there to deliver a more affordable life for Canadians.

View on ourcommons.ca Grade D– View analysis

Discussion

No comments yet

See the full discussion

Comment rules

More from sitting 127

All 36 items ·
  1. Government Orders Business of Supply 105 statements
  2. Oral Questions The Economy 12 statements
  3. Oral Questions The Economy 14 statements
  4. Oral Questions Climate Change 4 statements
  5. Oral Questions The Economy 2 statements
  6. Oral Questions Employment 6 statements
  7. Oral Questions Indigenous Affairs 2 statements
  8. Oral Questions The Economy 2 statements
  9. Oral Questions Marine Transportation 2 statements
  10. Oral Questions Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship 2 statements
  11. Oral Questions Privilege 3 statements
  12. Oral Questions The Economy 26 statements
  13. Government Orders Business of Supply 40 statements
  14. Oral Questions Small Business 2 statements
  15. Oral Questions Forestry Industry 4 statements
  16. Private Members' Business Arab Heritage Month Act 10 statements
  17. Government Orders Privilege 2 statements
  18. Oral Questions Public Safety 4 statements
  19. Adjournment Proceedings Adjournment Proceedings 4 statements
  20. Adjournment Proceedings Adjournment Proceedings 4 statements