Finance

During question period on finance, the Conservatives cited a new report from the Parliamentary Budget Officer, saying it shows the debt-to-GDP and deficit-to-GDP ratios rising despite government promises to lower them, and asked the government to acknowledge an affordability crisis marked by record food bank use and high grocery and rent costs. The government pointed to an upcoming budget on November 5, saying it will aim to attract investment, create jobs and make life more affordable, and responded to the criticisms by citing Canada’s fiscal position—low net debt and deficit relative to GDP and a AAA credit rating. Liberals also said Conservatives had voted against Manitoba projects, including aerospace jobs, supports for farmers, and internet access for northern residents, and highlighted the Canada child benefit, which they said goes to 3.5 million families.Written by AI from the debate. Updated .

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8 statements

Tatiana Auguste, Terrebonne

Liberal
“Young Canadians want more jobs and better opportunities. What is our government's next step to help build that future for them?”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, over the past year, I have had the opportunity to speak with many young Canadians who understand the importance of seizing the opportunities before us to build a better future, one that offers more jobs and opportunities for young people in a stronger, more resilient Canada that is worth fighting for. Could the Minister of Finance inform the House of the next steps in our government’s plan to build that future for young Canadians?

François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Finance and National Revenue

Liberal
“I will present our budget on November 5. It is a plan to bring in investment, create jobs, make life more affordable, and make Canada's economy stronger and more independent.”
  • Government answer in Question Period

    Signal 23 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 thank the member for Terrebonne for her question and for her commitment to the next generation of Canadians. On November 5, I will present our government’s next budget, a plan to move Canada forward, attract new investment and create more jobs across the country. This budget aims to build a stronger, more independent and more resilient economy, while making life more affordable for Canadians. On November 5, I will present a plan to build Canada strong and ensure that we remain masters in our own house.

Dan Mazier, Riding Mountain

Conservative
“The Prime Minister promised to lower Canada's debt compared to our economy, but the budget officer says it will keep rising. The Liberals are hiding this with tricky accounting. I want them to admit that their government has made life unaffordable for Canadians.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, last year, the Prime Minister campaigned on a promise to lower the federal debt relative to Canada’s GDP. Today, the Parliamentary Budget Officer revealed that was just another broken promise. According to the PBO, debt to GDP will increase under the Liberals for years. Meanwhile, the Liberals are hiding behind creative accounting to fool Canadians. Will the Liberals admit that Canada is facing an affordability crisis after 11 years of their government, or are they totally out of touch?

Rebecca Chartrand, Minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs and Minister responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency

Liberal
“The Conservatives keep voting against what Manitoba needs. They voted against $19 million for aerospace jobs, help for farmers, and internet access for 10,000 northern residents. They need to start supporting these projects.”
  • Government answer in Question Period

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, what I have been hearing from Manitobans is that we are building Canada’s future, but the opposition keeps voting against Manitobans. Conservatives voted against $19 million for aerospace jobs in Winnipeg. They voted against supports to help farmers get products to market. They voted against broadband for 10,000 residents in northern Manitoba. Manitobans deserve leaders who vote for them. The opposition needs to get on board.

Michael Cooper, St. Albert—Sturgeon River

Conservative

Linked statement

“A new budget report shows the government broke its promise to lower the deficit compared to the economy. The deficit is actually growing. Canadians cannot trust the government's money plan.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, today’s PBO report reveals that the Liberals will blow through a key fiscal anchor that they promised only months ago. The Liberals promised declining deficits to GDP. The PBO confirms the opposite: rising deficits to GDP. This is a complete indictment. The Liberals are failing to follow through on a central pillar of their budgetary policy. In the face of that, how can Canadians have any confidence in their so-called fiscal plan?

François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Finance and National Revenue

Liberal
“Canada has the strongest economy in the G7. We have the lowest debt, low deficits, and a top credit rating. Investment, trade, and jobs are all up.”
  • 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, I am afraid the member will have to change his QP card. In fact, Canada has the strongest fiscal position in the G7. That is the reality. These are the facts. We have the lowest net debt to GDP. We have one of the lowest deficits to GDP. We have a AAA credit rating. Investment is up, trade is up, and employment is up. On this side of the House, we are going to continue to build Canada strong with Canadians across the nation.

Michael Cooper, St. Albert—Sturgeon River

Conservative
“People cannot afford food and rent, and food bank use is at a record high. The government's poor money management caused this. Will the Liberals finally admit their policies caused an affordability crisis?”
  • A repeated line

    “Food bank usage is at a record high.”

    Said 3 times by 3 members since May 25.

    Every time it was said
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, today’s PBO numbers confirm what Canadians know and feel. Food bank usage is at a record high, and groceries and rent are unaffordable. Canadians are literally paying the price for the Liberal government’s fiscal mismanagement. After 11 years, will the Liberals finally acknowledge that Canada is in an affordability crisis courtesy of their policies, or are they totally out of touch?

Leslie Church, Parliamentary Secretary to the Secretaries of State for Labour, for Seniors, and for Children and Youth, and to the Minister of Jobs and Families (Persons with Disabilities)

Liberal
“Today, 3.5 million families are receiving the child benefit. That helps six million children with up to $8,100 this year. Our government created this program, and the opposition keeps voting against it.”
  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 46 of 100

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, because today is October 20, I want to make sure that my colleague across the way knows that 3.5 million families in this country are receiving the Canada child benefit today. That is six million children who are benefiting with up to $8,100 this year as a result of a policy that our government put in place, that our government is delivering and that the opposition continues to vote against.

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