The Economy

The debate centered on the performance of the economy and affordability for Canadians. Conservative members argued that the government’s fiscal plan is failing due to rising inflation and high interest rate costs for homeowners, asserting that spending must be reduced and focused on boosting productivity. Opposition members countered that the government is successfully taking action to help families, citing tax cuts and benefits designed to increase affordability. The government defended these measures against opposition claims that they are fiscally irresponsible or insufficient.Written by AI from the debate. Updated .

Official text (opens in a new tab)

8 statements

Michael Chong, Wellington—Halton Hills North

Conservative
“The government's economic plan is not working, and inflation is rising. The latest interest rate hike will cost typical homeowners over $1,100 more a year. When will the government bring in reforms to boost productivity, raise wages, and make life more affordable?”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, today’s hike demonstrates the government’s economic plan is not working. Inflation is taking hold. According to the Globe, today’s hike means that the cost of a typical variable mortgage will rise $82 a month and a typical home equity line of credit $12 a month, or over $1,100 a year. When is the government going to introduce supply-side reforms to the economy to increase productivity and wages and to make life more affordable?

Steven MacKinnon, Minister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons

Liberal
“Canada faces economic challenges from a foreign war and unfair trade attacks, but our economy will still lead the G7. The Conservatives should admit these outside pressures and celebrate Canada's success.”
  • Government answer in Question Period

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  • Government answer in Question Period

    Signal 19 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, we have had a display in question period today where the Conservatives are trying to catch up with my colleague with respect to steel. I note the member’s question over there. Why can the Conservatives not just once stand up and say that there is a war in the Strait of Hormuz or that there is a trade attack that is illegal and unjustified on Canada. Yes, we are facing economic headwinds, and the G7 is going to be led by Canada despite all of that. The Conservatives should stand up and celebrate Canada’s success and its— Some hon. members: Oh, oh!

Michael Chong, Wellington—Halton Hills North

Conservative
“The government spends too much money, which drives up interest costs. High interest rates are costing families more than $1,100 a year for mortgages and loans. When will the government focus on increasing productivity and wages to make life more affordable?”
  • A repeated line

    “The government's economic plan is not working.”

    Said 3 times by 2 members since June 4.

    Every time it was said
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, the government’s plan simply is not working. It is focused on the demand side of the economy. It is spending more and more and driving up the cost of interest, which is the fastest-growing line item in the budget that is projected to chew up almost 14¢ of every dollar by decade’s end. Now the Bank of Canada is hiking the interest rate, driving up interest costs on mortgages, lines of credit and car loans. For a typical family, this amounts to more than $1,100 a year. Again, I ask the question, when will the government start focusing on supply-side reforms to increase productivity and increase wages to make life more affordable for Canadians?

Steven MacKinnon, Minister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons

Liberal
“Every time we try to make life more affordable, the Conservatives vote against it. They oppose our cuts to fuel taxes and our benefits for food and children. They complain even when we grow the economy and protect jobs.”
  • Government answer in Question Period

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, every time we propose a measure to make life easier and more affordable and to make conditions for Canadians just a little better, whether it is reducing fuel taxes, whether it is a Canada food and essentials benefit or whether it is the Canada child benefit, these Conservatives, led by that finance critic, get up and oppose it. When we grow the economy, they decry that. When we protect jobs in Hamilton, they—

Jasraj Hallan, Calgary East

Conservative
“The Prime Minister spends more money paying interest on our debt than he gives provinces for health care. He has doubled the national debt and the deficit. This year, interest on the debt will cost a family of four $6,000. I want the Prime Minister to come to the finance committee and explain this to Canadians.”
  • Opposition question in Question Period

    Respect 60 of 100

    This statement targeted a person rather than their actions or views: “like a typical Liberal elitist, the Prime Minister”.

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, like a typical Liberal elitist, the Prime Minister is sending more money to his banker, bondholder and Brookfield buddies in debt interest than what goes to provinces in health care transfers. Just this year, a family of four will pay $6,000 in debt interest. Justin Trudeau doubled the debt. The Prime Minister took that as a challenge. He doubled down and doubled his deficit. Will the Prime Minister show up at the finance committee and tell Canadians exactly why he is so out of touch and why Canadians are so out of money?

Wayne Long, Secretary of State (Canada Revenue Agency and Financial Institutions)

Liberal

Linked statement

“The opposition cannot be trusted on affordability. They voted against giving child benefits to low-income families, against a school food program for hungry kids, and against dental care for seniors.”
  • Government answer in Question Period

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, let us just think about this for Canadians. That member and that party voted against targeting the Canada child benefit to families that need it the most. They think a family that makes $500,000 should get the same as a single mother who makes $20,000 a year. They voted against a school food program; voted against feeding hungry children. They voted against a dental program that gives dental care to seniors who need it the most. That side has no credibility when it comes to affordability. On this side of the House—

Jasraj Hallan, Calgary East

Conservative
“The government needs to spend less money. Paying interest on our debt is our fastest-growing expense. Because of bad government spending, over two million Canadians now use food banks every month.”
  • A repeated line

    “The Prime Minister doubled Justin Trudeau's deficit.”

    Said 10 times by 10 members since April 27.

    Every time it was said
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, the measure of a success in this country should be how many government programs Canadians get off, not get put on to. Debt interest is the fastest-growing expense, more than health care and more than the military. It is the money that gets sent to the Prime Minister’s banker, bondholder and Brookfield buddies every single year. This guy said he would spend less, but he is all talk and no results. That is why 2.35 million Canadians visit a food bank every single month. The Prime Minister doubled Justin Trudeau’s deficit. Is he looking to double food bank lines too?

Wayne Long, Secretary of State (Canada Revenue Agency and Financial Institutions)

Liberal
“We are focusing on making life more affordable for Canadians. We gave families up to $1,900 for groceries and essentials, cut taxes for 22 million people, and paused the tax on gas. The Conservatives voted against the tax cut, and they only have empty words.”
  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 41 of 100

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, on this side of the House, we are going to continue to focus on affordability measures for Canadians. The groceries and essentials benefit will put up to $1,900 in the pockets of families. We cut the taxes, and they voted against it, of course, for 22 million Canadians. We paused the federal excise tax on gas. We will continue to focus on and deliver for Canadians. That side can continue with the empty rhetoric.

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