Randy Boissonnault

[Finance, December 7th, 2022]

Mr. Speaker, I would direct my hon. colleague to a Scotiabank report that says very clearly how our investments in the pandemic had no effect on inflation.

In fact, let us look at the Auditor General's report, which said this:

We found that the COVID-19 programs achieved their objective to help Canada avoid a more severe contraction of the economy and the social consequences of...a significant increase in poverty. This financial support allowed the economy to rebound and return to its pre-pandemic level.

That is the job of a government. That is what we did. The Conservatives do not like it, but Canadians sure do.

[Post-Secondary Education, December 7th, 2022]

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from Dorval—Lachine—LaSalle for her question and her hard work.

With the increase in the cost of living, our government has been quick to act and provide support to Canadians who need it. We are continuing this support with our fall economic statement and Bill C‑32 by including the elimination of interest on student loans. This will help students and new graduates. We will ensure that Canadians have money in their pockets.

The Conservatives can support us here within the hour by voting in favour of Bill C‑32.

[The Economy, December 7th, 2022]

Mr. Speaker, we greatly respect the efforts that working men and women are making to build a prosperous Canada. We know that Canadians are going through a difficult time during this global inflationary cycle. That is why, here in Canada, the Bank of Canada is independent. Its role is to reduce inflation to a 2% target rate. As the government, we take action to put money in the pockets of Canadians who need it, when they need it.

That is why it is essential that every member of the House vote in favour of supports for Canadians and help us by voting for Bill C‑32.

[The Economy, December 7th, 2022]

Mr. Speaker, as the hon. leader of the New Democratic Party knows, the Bank of Canada is an independent institution that has been tasked, since December of last year, to get inflation back down to 2%.

The bank is doing its job. We are doing our job, which is making sure that we have the fiscal firepower to face what is to come, investing in Canadians and supporting the Canadians who need it the most. That is why we are helping Canadians to buy a new home, advancing the payments for workers' benefits and making sure that student loan interest gets removed forever.

This is the right thing to do. It is the responsible thing to do. It is why we hope that all parties vote with us on Bill C-32 today.

[The Economy, December 7th, 2022]

Mr. Speaker, I would be careful if I were the member opposite. He asked people to listen to his advice, when his idea to hedge on inflation was to go buy crypto. Shame on that advice. It is irresponsible and not appropriate.

We are going to eliminate interest on student loans and apprentice loans. We are going to make it more affordable to buy a house. We are going to get workers the money they need faster. In one hour, the Conservative chorus can sing with us and support Canadians, or it can do what it has always done and vote against it.

[The Economy, December 7th, 2022]

Mr. Speaker, the member opposite knows very well that the Bank of Canada is an independent institution.

It is true that this is a difficult time for Canadians. It is not true that the investments that we made in Canadians have caused inflation. One need only look at the report of the former governor of the Bank of Canada, Stephen Poloz, which indicates that our investments prevented a period of deflation.

Within the hour, the Leader of the Opposition will have the opportunity to help Canadians by supporting Bill C-32 to implement the support measures set out in the the fall economic statement.

[The Economy, December 6th, 2022]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my friend and hon. colleague from Vancouver Granville for his hard work on the file and his dedication to his residents.

We are always here to support Canadians, and the measures we have in place put more money in the pockets of Canadians. In the fall economic statement, we propose to eliminate student loan interest, to make housing more affordable and to increase the Canada workers benefit. The Conservatives can do the right thing and see their hearts grow not one, not two, but three sizes, and vote for Bill C-32 and to support Canadians.

[Veterans, December 6th, 2022]

Mr. Speaker, we thank the Auditor General for her report and we have great respect for her work. Let us look at a few facts from that report. The supports provided during the pandemic prevented an increase in poverty. The CERB program supported 8.9 million Canadians and the wage subsidy kept more than 5.3 million people employed. It was the compassionate thing to do. We did it for Canadians, and it was the right thing to do.

[Democratic Institutions, December 6th, 2022]

Mr. Speaker, let me repeat that our government respects and honours the work of the Auditor General, and that we accept her report. Let me share point 10.23 from the report. I quote:

We found that the COVID-19 programs achieved their objective to help Canada avoid a more severe contraction of the economy and the social consequences of, for example, a significant increase in poverty. This financial support allowed the economy to rebound and return—

[Democratic Institutions, December 6th, 2022]

Mr. Speaker, our government trusts and respects the work of the Auditor General. Let me just share with members—