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The Economy

During Question Period on the economy, members focused on the cost of living and food bank use. Conservative members cited reports of children relying on food banks and one in three Canadians skipping meals, said the deficit had doubled despite a promise to cut spending, and asked the government to cut spending, end federal diesel taxes, and remove the sales tax on fuel, which they said would save people money. Liberal members said they follow Food Banks Canada’s advice, pointed to the Canada groceries and essentials benefit, tax cuts, school food programs, child care, and disability benefits, and noted the Conservatives voted against those measures. Some responses drew on the same affordability reports the questioners cited.Written by AI from the debate. Updated .

Official text

6 statements

Tamara Jansen

Conservative
“Too many children are going hungry because families cannot afford food, while the government spends over a billion dollars a week on debt interest. I want the Prime Minister to make life more affordable.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, I shared a conversation around my family dinner table about how difficult life has become for young families like my daughter’s, but some families face something far worse. A new report reveals that one in eight Toronto children relies on a food bank, and more than one in four surveyed families reported a child missing meals because they could not afford food. These are children going hungry while the government piles on debt and spends over $1 billion a week on just paying interest. How many more children must go without supper before the Prime Minister makes affordability a priority?

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Adam van Koeverden

Liberal
“We listen to Food Banks Canada. Their report praises our programs for groceries, school food, housing, and disability benefits. The Conservatives voted against all of those programs.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, on this side of the House, we not only thank the Food Banks Canada network for its important advocacy, but also read those reports and heed their advice. That is why in the third paragraph of the report that the member would have read, it says, “In recent years, we have welcomed and see hope in measures such as the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit, the National School Food Program”, which the member continues to deride, “Build Canada Homes and the Canada Disability Benefit.” It is worth noting that all of the measures the food banks network is supporting and recommending that we are doing, they voted against.

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Dominique Vien

Conservative

Linked statement

“The Prime Minister promised to cut spending, but he doubled the deficit instead. Canadian families are struggling, and one in three Canadians is skipping meals or eating less. I want the Prime Minister to cut spending and end federal diesel taxes so Canadians can save money.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister promised to cut spending, but instead he doubled the deficit, which is now at a record high. While the Liberals are spending like there is no tomorrow, Canadian families are having to tighten their belts to make ends meet. According to a new report from the Salvation Army, one in three Canadians is skipping meals or cutting down on portion sizes. Will the Prime Minister finally cut his inflationary spending and eliminate the federal diesel taxes to help Canadians save money?

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Anna Gainey

Liberal
“We know Canadians are struggling with the high cost of living. That is why our government took steps to lower costs and reduce poverty, and we will keep supporting families.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, we thank the Salvation Army for its report this morning. We are aware of the challenges Canadians are facing, particularly when it comes to the cost of living. That is why we have put in place measures to make life more affordable and reduce poverty. We will continue to be there for Canadian families.

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Dominique Vien

Conservative
“Liberal plans are not working. Food bank visits are at 2.3 million, and one in five young people is going into debt for basic needs. At the same time, the government spends billions on bureaucracy, consultants, and corporations. Conservatives want to cut that spending and remove the sales tax on fuel to save people $1,000. Will the Liberals use our idea?”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, clearly, their measures are not working. Visits to food banks have now reached 2.3 million. That is unprecedented. We are learning that one in five young people has to go into debt to pay for basic necessities. Meanwhile, the government is spending billions of dollars on bureaucracy, consultants and corporate welfare. The Conservatives want to cut that spending and suspend the GST on fuel to save consumers $1,000. Will the Liberals borrow the Conservatives’ idea?

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Anna Gainey

Liberal
“We are helping Canadians with the cost of living. We cut fuel taxes and other taxes for 22 million people. We gave 12 million people money for groceries and basics. We also fund school food programs and cheap child care, all while growing the economy and creating jobs.”

  • A repeated line

    “We introduced the Canada groceries and essentials benefit.”

    Said 31 times by 20 members since April 23.

    Every time it was said
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, we continue to take action on affordability and help Canadians. We cut fuel taxes. We cut taxes for 22 million Canadians. We introduced the Canada groceries and essentials benefit for 12 million Canadians. We continue to support the school food program and affordable child care. We are doing all this while growing our economy and creating good jobs for Quebeckers and Canadians across the country.

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