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The Economy

During question period on the economy, Bloc Québécois members said the Prime Minister had promised to resolve the tariff crisis quickly but that it was instead getting worse, and pressed the government ahead of its upcoming economic update to expand employment insurance to more workers, increase old age security for seniors aged 65 to 74, and support Quebec’s forestry sector. A Bloc member also argued the government should fund defence without cutting health care, public transit, or media funding, suggesting the money could come from ending support for oil companies and American tech companies. Liberal ministers replied that the government has supported small businesses and forestry, steel, aluminum, and auto workers through a strategic response fund, that exports are diversifying through new trade and security agreements, and that it is working with Quebec, including on health care.Written by AI from the debate. Updated .

Official text

7 statements

Christine Normandin

Bloc Québécois
“The Prime Minister promised to fix the tariff crisis quickly. He has not, and the crisis is now worse.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister will be celebrating the first anniversary of his election on April 28 with an economic update. He promised to resolve the tariff crisis quickly, but it is hitting harder than ever— Some hon. members: Oh, oh!

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Christine Normandin

Bloc Québécois
“The Prime Minister promised to fix the tariff problem quickly, but it is getting worse. I want the government to help pay workers' wages so small businesses hurt by these tariffs do not have to cut jobs.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, I was pleased to hear the applause. The Prime Minister will be celebrating the first anniversary of his election on April 28 with an economic update. He promised to resolve the tariff crisis quickly. However, it is hitting harder than ever, with new tariffs on the total value of processed products. The Bloc Québécois has laid out what we expect in terms of better support for Quebec’s economy. First and foremost, we are calling for a wage subsidy to protect jobs in businesses threatened by tariffs, especially SMEs. Will the government adopt this vital proposal?

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François-Philippe Champagne

Liberal
“Our economic plan is working. We helped small and medium businesses adapt, and our exports to other countries are going up.”

  • A repeated line

    “Together, we will build Canada strong.”

    Said 7 times by 5 members since April 23.

    Every time it was said
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to see that the Bloc Québécois is proud that on April 28, we will be presenting an update that will help build the country. What my colleague said is true. We have been there for businesses. We established a strategic response fund precisely to enable SMEs across the country, including in Quebec, to pivot. The good news is that exports to other countries are on the rise. The plan we have put forward is working, and we will continue to build Canada strong together.

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Christine Normandin

Bloc Québécois
“I want the government to fix three problems in Tuesday's economic statement. It needs to give more workers employment insurance, raise pensions for seniors between 65 and 74, and help Quebec's forestry industry deal with American tariffs.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, the tariff crisis is exposing all the cracks in the system. Washington’s new tariffs clearly show that EI needs a complete overhaul to cover more workers. With the dramatic increase in the cost of living, seniors between 65 and 74 years of age deserve an increase in their old age pension. With Quebec sawmills closing one after another, the forestry industry obviously needs help to deal with the Americans’ illegal tariffs. The government must fix these issues in its economic statement on Tuesday. That is clear. Will it do so?

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Joël Lightbound

Liberal
“American tariffs are hurting our economy. We have supported Canadian forestry, steel, aluminum, and auto workers. Over the past year, we have made 20 trade and security deals across four continents to help Canadian businesses find new markets.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, my colleague is right. We are facing strong headwinds because of the Americans’ illegal and illegitimate tariffs. That is why, since day one of this government, we have been there to support forestry, steel, aluminum and auto workers, but we are not stopping there. We are diversifying our markets at an unprecedented rate: 20 agreements on four continents over the past year, on trade and security, to help our businesses discover new opportunities and pivot.

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Jean-Denis Garon

Bloc Québécois
“The government should not pay for defence by cutting money for health care, public transit, and media. They can afford these things if they stop giving money to oil companies and American tech companies.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, the economic update is also an opportunity to remind the Liberals that the tariff crisis is not the only crisis happening right now. Yes, we have to invest in defence, but that is no reason to cut health care funding, which they plan to do starting in 2028. It is no reason to abandon our media. It is no reason to cut funding for public transit. The Liberals can tackle all of these crises if they stop subsidizing oil companies and capitulating to U.S. web and digital giants. Will they take a stand?

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Marjorie Michel

Liberal

Linked statement

“We support Quebec on all issues, including health care. I have a good working relationship with the Quebec government, and we are making progress together.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Signal 36 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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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, I can hear my colleague’s tone, and I do not think Quebeckers would be very happy to hear him criticizing what we are doing, because we are there for Quebeckers for everything, including health care. I have a very good working relationship with my Quebec counterpart, and we are making progress on all of the province’s files.

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  6. Oral Questions Finance 4 statements
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  14. Oral Questions Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship 4 statements
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  17. Oral Questions Mental Health and Addictions 2 statements
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  21. Oral Questions Business of the House 3 statements
  22. Government Orders Government Business No. 9—Changes to Standing Orders 64 statements
  23. Oral Questions Finance 8 statements
  24. Oral Questions International Trade 2 statements
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  26. Oral Questions Finance 3 statements
  27. Oral Questions Finance 2 statements
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  29. Private Members' Business National Framework on Skilled Trades and Labour Mobility Act 12 statements
  30. Adjournment Proceedings Adjournment Proceedings 4 statements
  31. Adjournment Proceedings Adjournment Proceedings 4 statements
  32. Adjournment Proceedings Adjournment Proceedings 4 statements