Mr. Speaker, most Canadians simply want the opportunity to work hard and bring home a paycheque in order to support their families, but under the government's mismanagement, job opportunities are disappearing out the door.
The February numbers are extremely troubling. Data from StatsCan shows that 108,000 full-time jobs disappeared, marking the largest one-month decline outside of COVID since 2009. The damage is being felt where it matters most, with 73,000 of those jobs lost from the private sector, the very sector that drives growth, innovation and opportunity. Young Canadians are down 50,000 jobs.
After years of the Liberals, Canada now stands out for all of the wrong reasons. Not only are we the only shrinking economy in the G7, but we also have the second-highest unemployment rate in the G7.
Canadians deserve better. They deserve an economy that creates opportunity, rewards hard work and helps families get ahead. That is what Conservatives are going to continue to fight for.