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Finance

During question period on finance, Conservatives said the government is spending too much, pointing to $90 billion in new spending in budget 2025 and over $55 billion a year in debt interest charges, which they said drive up interest rates, mortgage payments and food prices. They asked the government to cut spending, naming areas like consultants, foreign aid and asylum-related health costs. Liberals replied that Canada has the strongest debt position in the G7 and one of its fastest-growing economies according to the IMF, that the government is cutting spending while investing in the military and helping Canadians through a difficult global period, and they asked Conservatives which services they would cut instead.Written by AI from the debate. Updated .

Official text

6 statements

Shannon Stubbs

Conservative

Linked statement

“The government spends too much money, and the interest on the debt is over $55 billion. That costs families thousands of dollars and drives up food prices. When will the government control its spending so Canadians can afford to live?”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, Canadians must cut back at home, while the Prime Minister has doubled Trudeau’s deficit, spending $90 billion more. Debt interest charges alone are over $55 billion. That is more than federal transfers for health care to all provinces combined. The Prime Minister spends drunkenly on lavish food and flights while he travels the world, but families pay over $3,300 a year for his interest charges. The Liberals force Canadians to sacrifice essentials every day. Food bank usage is up because food costs have skyrocketed. When will the Liberals get spending under control so Canadians can afford to live again?

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Corey Hogan

Liberal
“The world is facing tough economic times, but Canada has the lowest debt in the G7. We are spending money to protect Canadians. I want the member to say what services she would cut to lower our debt even more.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, Albertans know, of course, like all Canadians do, that we are in very uncertain times globally. The world is in a tumultuous place, but fortunately Canada enters this with the strongest debt situation in the G7. That is a fantastic place to be in when we are in difficult times. Now we are spending to make sure we are protecting Canadians from these dangerous headwinds. I would ask my colleague this: What are the cuts she would propose that would allow us to meet her objective of reducing what is already the lowest net debt and one of the lowest deficits in the G7?

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Shannon Stubbs

Conservative
“Government spending causes high interest rates and makes life unaffordable. I want the government to cut spending on consultants, foreign aid, and health care for fake refugees to lower costs for Canadians.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, as always, Liberals love to spend other people’s money and blame everyone and everything else for their own record. The Bank of Canada confirms that high deficits drive high interest rates. Since 2015, the Liberals’ crazy deficits have skyrocketed. That means higher mortgage payments, higher car payments and higher credit card bills. High Liberal spending drives high inflation, and Canadians pay the price. Every buck the PM spends comes from Canadians. Will Liberals agree with Conservatives to cut consultants, foreign aid and health care for fake refugees; bring down costs at grocery stores and at pumps and for homes; and make Canada affordable for all?

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Kody Blois

Liberal
“Canada has low debt and strong economic growth compared to other major countries. We are cutting $40 billion in spending, but we are spending $60 billion on the military. Does the member really want us to cut funding for our soldiers?”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, perhaps my colleague did not hear the Minister of Finance this morning highlight the fact that the International Monetary Fund has reaffirmed that Canada has the best debt position in the G7 and that we have the second-fastest growing economy in the G7. The member asked for the government to be able to make tough choices. Our comprehensive expenditure review is going to save the taxpayers of this country $40 billion, but some of the spending we are doing is about supporting the Canadian Armed Forces. Is the member suggesting we should not spend $60 billion to support our men and women in uniform? Is that the position of the Conservative Party?

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Branden Leslie

Conservative
“The Prime Minister is spending too much money. His budget added 90 billion dollars in new spending, and debt interest costs over 55 billion dollars this year. I want him to stop this high spending next week.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, it takes a special kind of spending problem to make Justin Trudeau look fiscally responsible, yet the Prime Minister has done it. His budget 2025 added $90 billion in net new spending, and the government is now paying over $55 billion this year just to service our debt. Canadians are being told to tighten their belt, yet the Prime Minister cannot even find his. Next week’s fiscal update is the moment of truth. Will the Prime Minister finally get serious, rein in his out-of-control spending and stop pouring inflationary gasoline on families and seniors who are struggling to survive?

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Yasir Naqvi

Liberal
“Times are tough in Canada and around the world. Our government is working hard to help Canadians, grow the economy, and find new trade partners.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

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    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 33 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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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, these are very serious times in our country, in fact globally. Canadians understand that we are living through a precarious time and that we have to work extremely hard to ensure that we build our economy and invest in Canadians so they are supported through these difficult times. Canadians deserve serious leadership, and that is precisely what the Prime Minister and the government are doing: We are investing in Canadians as a bridge to a better future tomorrow. That is the work we are doing, whether it is the work we are doing in diversifying our economy here in Canada and opening new countries as places to—

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