The Economy

The debate centered on the state of the Canadian economy, with participants discussing government spending, inflation, and national fiscal health. Conservative members argued that the government is adding an unsustainable national debt, estimated at $730 billion, which they claimed is driving up the cost of living and failing to support those in need. The government countered by stating that Canada maintains the strongest fiscal position among G7 nations, highlighting economic strengths and detailing spending initiatives designed to create thousands of jobs and deliver benefits to millions of citizens. The discussion also involved exchanges regarding the support for specific benefit programs and whether current government policies are strengthening or weakening the country’s financial foundation.Written by AI from the debate. Updated .

Official text (opens in a new tab)

10 statements

Pierre Poilievre, Leader of the Opposition

Conservative
“More people need free meals from charities now than ten years ago. The Prime Minister is still planning to add $730 billion in debt, which will drive up prices even more. Canadians should not have to pay more for government debt than for their own food.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, demand is soaring. Le Journal de Québec reported that a charity called Le Marginal served 400 meals in a single evening. That is five times more than 10 years ago. However, it seems that the Prime Minister has learned nothing. He is still forecasting $730 billion of inflationary debt within five years, which will further fuel inflation. Why are Canadians being asked to pay more for his debt than for the food they put on their tables?

François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Finance and National Revenue

Liberal
“The Conservative leader voted against money for groceries and essentials, and he told his party to vote against it too. That help is for 12 million Canadians, including people in Quebec City. My party will always support them.”
  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 20 of 100

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

    See full analysis
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, the people of Quebec City who are watching us will realize that, sadly, the leader of the Conservative Party, who is the Leader of the Opposition, did two things when the House had the opportunity to vote on the Canada groceries and essentials benefit, a measure that helps 12 million Canadians, including many in Quebec City. One, he voted against the benefit. Two, he instructed his caucus to vote against it. The people of Quebec City will remember that. On this side of the House, we will always be there to stand up for the people of Quebec City.

Pierre Poilievre, Leader of the Opposition

Conservative
“Liberal programs are not working, and more people need free meals. The Prime Minister is going to add $730 billion to our debt. This will make life more expensive and cost a family of four $6,000 a year in interest. Canadians should not have to pay for this debt instead of feeding their families.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, all of these inflationary Liberal programs are not working for the 400 people who were in need of a hot meal. It is not just the demand for hot meals that is skyrocketing. The Liberals’ inflationary debt is too. According to a report by the Parliamentary Budget Officer, the Prime Minister is going to add $730 billion to our debt. That is going to drive up the cost of living. It is going to cost a family of four $6,000 in interest a year. Why must Canadians feed the Liberal debt instead of feeding their families?

François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Finance and National Revenue

Liberal

Linked statement

“Our plan gives money to 12 million Canadians, including up to $1,891 for a family of four. I want the Conservative leader to stop playing politics and say he will vote for this help.”
  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 19 of 100

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

    See full analysis
  • 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

Mr. Speaker, after spending two decades in the House, the Conservative leader should know one thing: When it comes to helping Canadians, he should put politics aside and vote to help them. Twelve million Canadians will receive the Canada groceries and essentials benefit, which provides up to $1,891 for a family of four. That is money that is going into families’ bank accounts to help them. Will the Conservative leader stand up and say that he will now support our measures to help Canadians?

Pierre Poilievre, Leader of the Opposition

Conservative
“The government plans to add $730 billion to the national debt over the next five years. That is $40,000 for every Canadian. This spending causes higher food and housing costs while helping bankers and big corporations. How does the Prime Minister expect Canadians to pay for this?”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, the Liberal Prime Minister is out of touch, Canadians are out of money and the debt is out of control. More inflation is on the horizon as the Parliamentary Budget Officer calculated that the government is expected to add $730 billion to our national debt over the next five years. That is three-quarters of a trillion dollars more on the national credit card, working out to $40,000 in debt for every single Canadian. That is more handouts to corporate power brokers, more interest to bankers, and more food and housing inflation for Canadians. How does he expect them to pay this bill?

François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Finance and National Revenue

Liberal
“Canada has the strongest financial position in the G7. We have an educated workforce, plenty of energy, critical minerals, and trade deals with all other G7 countries. We can build planes, ships, and cars here. We are building a strong country, and we will take no lessons from the Conservatives.”
  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 41 of 100

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

    See full analysis
  • A repeated line

    “Canada has the strongest fiscal position in the G7.”

    Said 14 times by 7 members since May 1.

    Every time it was said
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, we will take no lessons from the Conservatives. Canada has the strongest fiscal position in the G7. We have one of the most educated workforces in the world. We are able to build planes, build ships and build cars in this country. We have the critical minerals to power the economy of the 21st century. We have an abundance of energy and we are going to produce even more. We are the only G7 nation with a free trade agreement with all the other G7 nations. This is what is building Canada strong.

Pierre Poilievre, Leader of the Opposition

Conservative
“The government is hiding how much money it borrows by splitting its debt into three different categories. No matter what the Prime Minister calls it, Canadians still have to pay the interest. I want him to understand that basic lesson.”
  • Opposition question in Question Period

    Clarity 41 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, the finance minister is absolutely right that Canadians are very educated. They are educated enough to know that the government is cooking the books. The Prime Minister is dividing his deficits on three credit cards. One he calls operational spending, another he claims is investment and a third goes to Crown corporations. However, Canadians understand that just because the Liberals put their debt on three different credit cards does not mean they do not have to pay the interest. Given that Canadians understand that, when will the Prime Minister get this basic financial lesson?

François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Finance and National Revenue

Liberal
“The Leader of the Opposition keeps speaking badly about our economy and our industries. But Canada has the lowest debt, one of the lowest deficits, and the best credit rating in the G7 alongside Germany. We will keep making Canada strong.”
  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 32 of 100

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

    See full analysis
  • A repeated line

    “We have the lowest debt-to-GDP ratio in the G7.”

    Said 17 times by 13 members since April 29.

    Every time it was said
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, one thing Canadians understand is that the Leader of the Opposition keeps talking the Canadian economy down. He keeps talking against the industries in this country. We have the strongest fiscal position in the G7. We have the lowest net debt-to-GDP ratio in the G7. We have one of the lowest deficits in the G7. We are the only country with Germany in the G7 to have an AAA credit rating. We are going to build Canada strong and we are going to do it with all Canadians.

Pierre Poilievre, Leader of the Opposition

Conservative
“The Liberal government is hurting the economy by borrowing too much money. Interest on the debt is the fastest-growing cost in the budget. It costs a family of four $6,000 in taxes that does not go to health care or the military. Families cannot afford this when they already cannot afford food.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, it is the Liberal government that is driving the Canadian economy down. It is doing it with credit card debt, and the interest on it is not free. It comes with interest. What is the biggest expense in this Liberal budget? Is it health care? Is it seniors? No, the fastest-growing expense is interest on the debt. The average family of four will spend $6,000 on federal taxes just for the debt, not for health care and not for our military. How does the Prime Minister expect a family to spend $6,000 when they cannot afford groceries?

Tim Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources

Liberal
“The Prime Minister is spending money to create thousands of jobs across the country. Instead of complaining about the economy, the Conservatives should help us create more jobs.”
  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 8 of 100

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

    See full analysis
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, this is what the Prime Minister is spending money on: 5,000 new jobs in Churchill Falls, 8,000 new jobs for Contrecoeur, 1,000 new jobs for Nouveau Monde Graphite, 18,000 new jobs at Darlington and 30,000 new jobs at Pickering. Rather than talk down the economy, why do the Conservatives not help us add new jobs to the Canadian economy?

Discussion

No comments yet

See the full discussion

Comment rules

More from sitting 155

  1. Private Members' Business An Act to Repeal Certain Restrictions on Shipping 7 statements
  2. Government Orders Strengthening Canada's Defence Sector Act 52 statements
  3. Statements by Members Tribute to Men of Terrebonne 2 statements
  4. Oral Questions The Economy 10 statements
  5. Oral Questions The Environment 4 statements
  6. Oral Questions Labour 2 statements
  7. Oral Questions Finance 8 statements
  8. Oral Questions The Economy 7 statements
  9. Oral Questions Foreign Affairs 4 statements
  10. Oral Questions The Economy 10 statements
  11. Oral Questions Child Care 2 statements
  12. Oral Questions Steel and Aluminum Industry 2 statements
  13. Oral Questions Natural Resources 6 statements
  14. Oral Questions Agriculture and Agri-Food 2 statements
  15. Oral Questions Justice 2 statements
  16. Oral Questions Indigenous Affairs 2 statements
  17. Oral Questions Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship 2 statements
  18. Government Orders Strengthening Canada's Defence Sector Act 67 statements
  19. Oral Questions Finance 2 statements
  20. Oral Questions Steel and Aluminum Industry 8 statements
  21. Oral Questions International Trade 5 statements
  22. Oral Questions Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship 4 statements
  23. Government Orders Strengthening Canada's Defence Sector Act 34 statements
  24. Adjournment Proceedings Adjournment Proceedings 4 statements
  25. Adjournment Proceedings Adjournment Proceedings 4 statements
  26. Adjournment Proceedings Adjournment Proceedings 4 statements