Rachael Thomas

[The Economy, June 15th, 2026]

Mr. Speaker, I think what that member meant to highlight was the fact that under the Liberal government, child poverty rates have increased year after year after year for the last three. This dramatically impacts the people of my riding in Lethbridge, Alberta. It means that seniors in this country are living at Tim Hortons. It means that full-time workers are living out of their RVs.

Why does the government turn a blind eye to the reality of Canadians while it is living high on the horse? Why does it not reverse its policy so Canadians can finally afford to live again?

[The Economy, June 15th, 2026]

Mr. Speaker, today, the Prime Minister arrives at the G7 summit as the one and only leader who has led his country into a recession. This is what that looks like: Two in five Canadians struggle to be able to afford to feed themselves; full-time workers are living in RVs or a Tim Hortons; and food bank use has hit an all-time high. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister spends $1 million on luxury inflight catering, which includes things like Normandy butter cups, fine wines and braised beef.

My question is very simple: When will the Prime Minister acknowledge the reality so many Canadians face and reverse his policy so they can afford to live again?

[Ukrainian Heritage Month Act, June 12th, 2026]

Mr. Speaker, because the hon. member has chosen to spend the majority of his speech on process, I will ask him a process question.

The current government, the Liberals, they are the ones who sponsored this bill; the hon. member did, from that side of the House. They also control the agenda for this place and would therefore have the ability to move this bill, in its second hour of debate at third reading, to next week before the House rises. They could trade it up in the system, as we say. For whatever reason, they have chosen not to do that. I am curious as to why, if they want this bill passed so quickly, they are not taking that responsibility.

[100th Anniversary of Picture Butte, June 12th, 2026]

Mr. Speaker, it is my great pleasure to rise in the House today to extend congratulations to the town of Picture Butte on its 100th anniversary.

For a century, Picture Butte has been shaped by the values that define rural Canada: hard work, family and community spirit. What began as a small prairie settlement, marked by the establishment of its post office, has now grown into the livestock feeding capital of the entire country. That title reflects more than just an industry. It reflects generations of farmers, ranchers, workers and families whose dedication has helped feed Canadians and strengthen southern Alberta's economy.

From its farms and local businesses to its schools, churches and volunteers, Picture Butte continues to represent the very best of southern Alberta. To everyone who has built, served and strengthened this community over the past century, I wish to extend my sincere gratitude. Their legacy is one of vision, determination and generosity. As the member of Parliament for Lethbridge, I congratulate them on 100 years.

[The Economy, June 10th, 2026]

Mr. Speaker, with respect, the small craft harbours do not conquer the food poverty that children across this country are experiencing, especially those in my riding of Lethbridge.

With all due respect, I would ask the folks across the way what they will do for Canadians, because they are struggling. They are struggling. Sixty per cent of them are unable to sleep at night because they are not sure how they are going to make ends meet. Forty per cent of Canadians are struggling because of food insecurity. That is the reality. The government can turn a blind eye and pretend that is not its reality, but at the end of the day, Canadians tell the truth, always, because it is their lived experience. To tell them otherwise is blasphemy from the government.

What are you going to do about it?

[The Economy, June 10th, 2026]

Mr. Speaker, under the current government, Canada is in a recession, and it is the only G20 country for which that is true. After a decade of reckless Liberal policies and economic mismanagement, Canadians are ultimately having to pay the price. A new United Way poll found that 60% of Canadians now feel anxiety about their personal finances, and 40% struggle with food insecurity. This crisis was not created abroad. It was created because of Liberal policies right here at home.

How much worse does it have to get before the government reverses course and makes life more affordable for Canadians?

[The Economy, June 5th, 2026]

Madam Speaker, what the member just said is that those children in my riding who are suffering from poverty and food insecurity should be thankful for the government because they have never had it so good. Shame on that member for claiming that. These are individuals who are finding it very difficult to make ends meet.

Food insecurity is rising and Canadians are struggling. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister splurges on fine wines, braised beef, Normandy butter cups and all sorts of things, while jetting around the world. Is he enjoying his luxurious lifestyle at the expense of taxpayers during a true recession or is it just a technical recession?

[The Economy, June 5th, 2026]

Madam Speaker, under this Liberal Prime Minister, Canada is the only G20 country in a recession. The impact is real, not theoretical. Over the past four years, in Lethbridge, one of our food banks has experienced an increase in child usage of 112%. That is children going to the food bank.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister spent nearly $200,000 on inflight catering for just three flights. To put that in perspective, that is enough to treat a family of four to monthly steak dinners at The Keg for 50 years. Will the Prime Minister finally tell us, are we in just a technical recession, or is this a real full-blown Liberal recession?

[The Economy, June 2nd, 2026]

Mr. Speaker, while the current Prime Minister is the only G7 leader to take his country into a recession, the consequences are felt by Canadians from coast to coast. Food Banks Canada just released its poverty report card for 2026, and it shows that one in four Canadians is food-insecure and food bank visits have doubled since 2020. These are not just stats; these are real people with real stories.

Parents call my office saying that they are giving up meals in order to make sure that their kids have enough to eat, but the Prime Minister refuses to take responsibility. Hard-working families cannot get ahead when they are left carrying the cost of Liberal waste, runaway spending and failed policies. Canadians cannot afford more of the same. They deserve a government that will end inflationary spending, repeal antidevelopment laws and cut excessive red tape.

We Conservatives will unleash Canada's economic potential. We will ensure Canadians keep more of their hard-earned dollars and we will build a more prosperous future for generations to come. Canadians do not need a government that stands in their way. They need one that is going to help them get ahead.

[Budget 2025 Implementation Act, No. 2, May 29th, 2026]

Mr. Speaker, my hon. colleague talked about where Canada is at economically. I would like him to drill down on that further and its impact on Canadians.

What I mean is that the Liberal government has spent and spent for over a decade, and today we learned that Canada is now in a recession. It is the only G7 country to enter into that. That is due to the current Prime Minister's policies.

That is more than stats on a page. That impacts Canadians. It impacts families. It impacts seniors. It impacts students. It impacts those who are simply trying to make ends meet. I am curious if my colleague would care to expand on that impact.