Madam Speaker, the hon. member for Langley Township—Fraser Heights argues that our government is responsible for a never-ending cycle of inflationary spending and deficits. I would argue exactly the opposite. I believe we are taking action specifically to prevent this inflationary cycle. We live in an uncertain and rapidly changing world. Around the world, the trade relationships that help ensure good jobs and affordable products are being disrupted. Here at home, rising tariffs are posing significant challenges for Canadians, as we know, particularly those who work in trade-exposed sectors such as manufacturing.
The Government of Canada also recognizes that the cost of living is putting financial pressure on Canadian families and small businesses. That is why we introduced many measures in the 2025 budget to help Canadians live a more dignified life. We cannot control what other countries do, but we can decide how we respond to what we can control. As the member opposite may recall, on our first day in office, we cancelled the divisive consumer carbon tax, which lowered gas prices by 18¢ per litre in most provinces and territories, except mine.
We are now cutting taxes for 22 million Canadians, saving a two-income family up to $840 a year. We are also eliminating the GST for first-time homebuyers on new homes up to $1 million. That means savings of up to $50,000 for many young families. That should also spur new home construction across the country.
We tabled budget 2025, entitled “Canada Strong”. This budget is a plan to transform our economy, one that currently depends on a single trading partner, into one that is stronger, more resilient, and more diversified. It is a plan that will empower Canadians and reduce the cost of living in this country. For example, the budget makes the national school food program permanent. That means an additional 400,000 children will receive healthy meals every day, and participating families with two children will be able to save about $800 annually on groceries.
The budget also proposes to automatically deliver federal benefits to low-income Canadians. The CRA will ensure that they receive the federal benefits to which they are entitled, including those that they may not even be aware of.
The budget confirms a number of benefits. For example, the GST/HST credit provides up to $700 for a couple this year, plus an additional $184 for each child under the age of 19. The Canada child benefit amounts to $8,000 this year for every child under the age of six, and $6,700 for children between the ages of six and 17. All of these amounts will keep pace with the cost of living.
Another measure involves renewing the Canada strong pass, and the list goes on. We will also protect the vital social programs that Canadians rely on, whether it is child care, dental care or pharmacare. These are concrete measures that make life more affordable for Canadians.