Thank you, Chair.
I'm glad that we're on the 106(4) request.
I move:
That the Minister of Finance be invited to appear at committee for two hours by December 17, 2024, and should the Minister not appear in accordance with this motion, the chair be instructed to report to the House the Committee's recommendation that it be empowered to order her attendance for two hours at a date and time the Committee fixes.
We know, through the PBO's report, that the finance minister has blown past her projected deficit of $40 billion. This was supposedly forced by the Prime Minister.
We also know that she indicated, in her own words, that she would be blowing past her own deficit. This is very concerning at a time when GDP per capita has been declining for six straight quarters, there are two million Canadians lined up at food banks every single month and Canadians are struggling to make ends meet today.
Canadians need to know the truth. It's very shocking that, for the first time that I know of, a fall economic statement and the public accounts will be released on the last sitting day of a session. It's concerning because it seems like the government might have something to hide. Canadians need to know how bad the deficit is and how much pain it's going to cause.
I'll leave it at that. I hope we can get to a vote quickly.