House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2021, with 46% of the vote.
The Economy December 9th, 2021
Mr. Speaker, all parents want to give their children a better future. The dream of owning their first home is out of reach for young people because of this government. The Liberals want the Bank of Canada to stop controlling inflation.
Why is this government abandoning future generations?
The Economy December 9th, 2021
“We are increasingly concerned that the BoC’s mandate may change.” Mr. Speaker, that is a quote from one of Canada's leading economists, and that quote should have all Canadians concerned.
Young Canadians are already priced out of owning a home. All Canadians are watching their grocery bills go up by thousands of dollars and the Liberals want the bank to stop trying to control inflation.
The Prime Minister was asked 11 times yesterday and did not answer, so maybe the new minister will answer. Why is the Liberal government going to abandon the Bank of Canada's 2% inflation target?
The Economy December 9th, 2021
Mr. Speaker, national leadership? We are the only country with housing price increases approaching 40%, and food inflation is the worst it has been in more than a decade.
Next year, it is going to take another $1,000 out of every family's budget. Canadians are going to be paying more for everything from bread to vegetables, and paycheques are already being squeezed to the breaking point.
My question is pretty simple. Maybe that minister will answer, after the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister have refused.
Will the Liberals finally start thinking about monetary policy?
Housing December 9th, 2021
Mr. Speaker, half of Canadians under 30 have given up on owning a home. The Canadian dream used to be that we worked hard so that our kids would have even more opportunity than we had. The Liberals have dashed that dream.
Inflation is driving up the price of everything. Even a quarter of those who can afford a home are vulnerable to next year's interest-rate hikes.
Why is the finance minister still ignoring the inflation crisis hitting Canadian families?
The Economy December 8th, 2021
Mr. Speaker, this is a serious issue. This is not about the Prime Minister or the Leader of the Opposition. He suggests we are getting desperate. Canadian families are getting desperate.
There are single parents worried about Christmas gifts this year. There are seniors on fixed income who cannot afford to fill up their car. There are people worried about transient employment and driving Uber to save for a car over 15 years. He has a time to not say “I have their backs”. He has a time to say he will ask the Bank of Canada to get inflation back down to 2%.
The Economy December 8th, 2021
Mr. Speaker, Canadians have seen, just in the last few years, houses go up 33%. Rents in Victoria, B.C., in one year alone are up 20%. Families with children are using food banks more than ever before. Families are worried and they have a Prime Minister who said he does not think about monetary policy, a Prime Minister who does not seem to know about the rising cost of living, and a Prime Minister who said famously that “budgets balance themselves”.
Will the Prime Minister stand up in this House, say he will fight for Canadians and get inflation back down?
The Economy December 8th, 2021
Mr. Speaker, there was a historic admission in the House of Commons today. The Prime Minister put aside his talking points about having people's backs and admitted that the rising cost of gas, food and essentials is just inflation.
With that admission out of the way, now knowing that inflation is gripping this country and the rising cost of living is worrying families and seniors on fixed incomes, will he take the next step and today tell Canadians that he will mandate the Bank of Canada to get inflation back down to 2%?
The Economy December 8th, 2021
Mr. Speaker, inflation has never been as bad as it is now.
Inflation means that everything goes up, especially the cost of fruit, meat, housing and gas. The list is long, and Canadians are worried.
This government has not yet given the Bank of Canada a mandate to maintain the 2% inflation target.
Will the government maintain the 2% target, yes or no?
The Economy December 8th, 2021
Mr. Speaker, Canadians should be worried when the Prime Minister and the finance minister will not answer a simple question about fighting inflation by keeping the 2% target. What are they going to do for Canadians who are struggling? The Prime Minister does not think about monetary policy. He does not think about interest rates. He thinks budgets will balance themselves.
How bad does the cost of living crisis have to get before the Prime Minister gets a grip?
The Economy December 8th, 2021
Mr. Speaker, higher inflation means higher prices for families. Prices are 21% higher for apples, 22% higher for bacon and 33% higher for a house. The Prime Minister said he has a concrete plan, but the government has not committed to keeping the 2% inflation target as part of the bank's new mandate. Keeping the 2% inflation target is the bare minimum the Prime Minister could do to fight the cost of living crisis.
He talks about a plan and being there for Canadians. My question is simple. Will the government mandate the Bank of Canada to maintain its 2% target, yes or no?