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Finance

In question period on finance, Conservative members said government spending is driving up interest rates, inflation and debt, pointing to rising food bank use, a PBO report projecting higher unemployment, and what they called unmet promises to balance the budget and lower the debt-to-GDP ratio; they called for spending cuts. The Liberal minister replied that international agencies project Canada among the fastest-growing G7 economies, that Canada has the lowest net debt-to-GDP ratio and strong credit ratings in the G7, and that government programs support millions of Canadians with costs like child care, school food, disability benefits and groceries; he said the Conservatives have voted against these affordability measures and asked them to support the government’s plan.Written by AI from the debate. Updated .

Official text

10 statements

Philip Lawrence

Conservative
“Interest rates are going to rise again soon. That will make mortgages and business costs go up. The government's high spending is causing this affordability crisis. I want them to cut spending.”
Official Hansard

Madam Speaker, the markets are predicting it, the government’s own parliamentary watchdogs are predicting it, and even Tiff Macklem is indicating interest rates could go up by a quarter of a point as early as next week. That is going to mean higher mortgage payments for the residents of my community. That is going to mean higher costs for our business owners. The Liberals are literally fuelling the affordability crisis they deny exists. When will the Liberal government finally curb its spending and allow Canadians to live their life?

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François-Philippe Champagne

Liberal
“The International Monetary Fund says Canada's economy will grow faster than almost every other G7 country. We are working to lower the costs of food, gas, and homes, and we will keep working for Canadians.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 14 of 100

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

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  • Government answer in Question Period

    Respect 64 of 100

    This statement targeted a person rather than their actions or views: “I am sure the member has been reading the international press and has been following what the international agencies…”.

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Official Hansard

Madam Speaker, I am sure the member has been reading the international press and has been following what the international agencies are talking about with regard to Canada. The IMF just recently said that Canada would have the second-fastest growth in the G7. We have been acting on the three most important things for Canadians: the cost of food, the cost of gas and the cost of homes. We are going to continue to work for Canadians because every day is a good day to fight for Canadians.

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Philip Lawrence

Conservative
“A food bank in my area has seen use go up by 3,000% since 2015. The government needs to spend less money so Canadians can afford to live.”
Official Hansard

Madam Speaker, I will be honest. I have not been speaking with the IMF, but I have been speaking to people from the food bank in Newcastle, which has seen a 3,000% increase in usage since 2015. When will the Liberals finally get the message to curb their spending so Canadians can afford to live?

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François-Philippe Champagne

Liberal
“The Conservatives voted against every measure we introduced to help Canadians with the cost of food, gas, and other goods. I want them to start voting for our plans to help people.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 6 of 100

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

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Official Hansard

Madam Speaker, I hope the people in the member’s riding are watching TV this morning, because they will know that the member, and all the Conservative members, voted against every affordability measure we put forward to support Canadians. It is a shame. Every time we said that we would support Canadians with the price of food, with the price of gas and with the price of all, the Conservatives were missing in action. Why do they not come on board and help us to support Canadians? That is what the people in the member’s riding are expecting.

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Greg McLean

Conservative
“The government keeps spending billions of dollars without a real budget plan, and Canadians are not seeing any results. The budget officer says this spending is out of control and the economy is getting worse. I want the minister to explain how spending more money leads to worse results.”

  • Opposition question in Question Period

    Reasoning 33 of 100

    This statement drew 3 conclusions, but gave no reasons for 2 of them.

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Official Hansard

Madam Speaker, barely a day goes by without the Liberal government’s making an announcement of billions of dollars of new spending. Press releases are issued, media content is bought, consultants are paid and dollars go out the door immediately, yet results for Canadians are years away, if at all. The bulk of this announced spending is part of no budget plan. This is government by blank cheque. Just this week, the Parliamentary Budget Officer released the fall economic outlook, showing just how out of whack the spending has become, and the economic outlook just gets worse. Can the minister stand here and explain how more spending leads to worse results?

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François-Philippe Champagne

Liberal
“Our spending helps millions of people. It gives money to families with children, feeds kids at school, supports people with disabilities, and helps pay for child care and groceries.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 100 of 100

    Of this answer, 100% addressed the question that was asked.

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  • A repeated line

    “12 million Canadians will receive the Canada groceries and essentials benefit.”

    Said 7 times by 5 members since June 1.

    Every time it was said
Official Hansard

Madam Speaker, I know it is Friday, but let me help my Conservative friend. Six million people are going to receive the Canada child benefit, 400,000 kids will be supported with the national school food program, 465,000 people will receive the Canada disability benefit, 12 million Canadians will receive the Canada groceries and essentials benefit, and 900,000 kids will be supported with early learning and child care. I could go down the list, but I will give it to him so he can inform his constituents the next time he engages with them.

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Greg McLean

Conservative
“The Prime Minister promised to balance the budget by 2029 and lower the debt, but he is failing at both. The government is spending and borrowing too much money. It must stop this spending and plan for Canada's future.”

  • Opposition question in Question Period

    Respect 90 of 100

    This statement targeted a person rather than their actions or views: “The economist Prime Minister”.

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Official Hansard

Madam Speaker, a sign of a strong economy must be how much the government can give people because they cannot afford to pay their own bills. The economist Prime Minister promised Canadians two things: to balance the budget by 2029 and to maintain a declining debt-to-GDP ratio. He is failing badly at both. To quote the PBO report, “the two fiscal anchors have imposed limited fiscal discipline on government spending and borrowing.” Our escalating debt is consuming way too much of our tax dollars. The bottom line is that if the PBO were a doctor, she would tell Canadians that the government is on life support. When will the Liberals think about Canada’s future and stop spending as if—

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François-Philippe Champagne

Liberal
“Canada's economy is doing well. We have the lowest debt in the G7, a top credit rating, and fast economic growth ahead. I want the Conservatives to support our plan.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Reasoning 20 of 100

    This statement drew 5 conclusions, but gave no reasons for 4 of them.

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  • A repeated line

    “We have the second-fastest growth in the G7.”

    Said 12 times by 5 members since April 24.

    Every time it was said
Official Hansard

Madam Speaker, Canadians know better. They are laughing at the question. They understand that Canada will have the second-fastest growth in the G7 in 2027. They understand that we have the lowest net debt-to-GDP in the G7. They understand that we have one of the lowest deficit-to-GDP ratios in the G7. They understand that their country is the only one, with Germany, with a AAA credit rating. Canadians are proud of this country. They know we are going to build Canada strong. I just hope the Conservatives get on board.

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Helena Konanz

Conservative

Linked statement

“Unemployment is high, and families in my riding are struggling to afford food and gas. The government plans to spend more, add more debt, and raise taxes. I want the minister to explain how this plan helps families.”
Official Hansard

Madam Speaker, the PBO’s latest report shows that unemployment will soon rise to 6.9%, but in my region it is as high as 8.3%. That includes families in Penticton, Grand Forks and Castlegar who cannot find work and are choosing between buying gas or buying groceries, yet this report shows that Liberal spending will only increase, with more debt. Therefore, higher taxes will follow. Can the Liberal minister explain how their fiscal plan of fewer jobs and higher taxes will help families—

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François-Philippe Champagne

Liberal
“The Conservatives vote against measures that help Canadians and build the economy. We are listening to Canadians and investing in our economy and sovereignty to move the country forward.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 18 of 100

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

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Official Hansard

Madam Speaker, I am sure Canadians who are watching are a bit puzzled. On one hand, the Conservatives are voting against measures to support Canadians and build the economy, and on the other hand, they are wondering what is going on. Thank God we are not taking a lot of their advice. We are listening to Canadians. We are investing in this economy. We are supporting Canadians. We are investing in our sovereignty. Canadians are proud. They want this country to go forward. That is exactly what we are going to do.

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