Randy Boissonnault

[Finance, April 1st, 2022]

Madam Speaker, I was amused to learn earlier today that there is a Liberal among the ranks of the Conservative leadership race, but let us go on to the question at hand.

When it comes to something as serious as the nation's finances, it is important to separate partisan posturing from the facts. Here are the facts: Moody's and S&P have given us a AAA credit rating. We have the second-fastest-growing economy in the world, poised to be the fastest-growing next year. We made clear investments in the lives of Canadians so that we could rebound and have one of the best economies in the world. That is good for Canadians. That is good for everyone.

[Finance, April 1st, 2022]

Madam Speaker, this government invested in the lives and the livelihoods of Canadians at the darkest time in the last 70 years. We invested $511 billion to make sure that we could get to where we are now with the second-fastest-growing economy in the G7, poised to be the fastest-growing economy in the G7 next year. We are on the track to fiscal prudence. We will make the right investments for Canadians, we will support Canadians and we will manage the nation's finances responsibly.

[Pensions, April 1st, 2022]

Madam Speaker, we appreciate the challenges that pensioners are facing. It is why we have had reviews on the pension system.

As we anticipate what happens in the budget, we cannot comment about what will be in the budget, but we have stood steadfast with Canadians from day one of forming this government to make sure we have a stable, predictable pension system. We will take the hon. member's question under advisement.

[Finance, April 1st, 2022]

Madam Speaker, I am very happy to hear the members opposite acknowledge that they have a Liberal in their party's leadership race, and that the Liberals of the good old days focused on affordability, just like we do.

We know that the affordability and inflation problems are real. That is why we are working every day to make life more affordable, through improvements to the Canada child benefit, investments for seniors and the national housing strategy, for example.

On this side, we are taking action. On that side, it is nothing but nonsense.

[Taxation, April 1st, 2022]

Madam Speaker, the saddest April Fool's joke on Canadians today is the Conservatives' inability to pick a lane.

On Mondays it is “do more for seniors”. On Tuesdays it is “cut CPP”. On Wednesdays it is “do more for small businesses”. On Thursdays it is “block Bill C-8”.

While the Conservatives struggle to pick a lane, we are focused on investing in Canadians and on sound fiscal management. While we are investing in Canadians on this side, they are simply making jokes on that side.

[Finance, April 1st, 2022]

Madam Speaker, it may be before noon, and that is no joke because on the other side, whatever they say now will change in an hour. That is no joke.

[Finance, April 1st, 2022]

Madam Speaker, the saddest April Fool's joke on Canadians today is the inability of the Conservatives to simply pick a lane. On Mondays it is “do more for seniors”. On Tuesdays it is “cut CPP”. On Wednesdays it is “do more for small businesses”. On Thursdays it is “block Bill C-8”.

While the Conservatives struggle to pick a lane, we are focused on investing in Canadians and managing the nation's finances responsibly.

[Taxation, March 31st, 2022]

Mr. Speaker, we will wait another week to see all the great contents of budget 2022, but what I can do is use this opportunity to hold the Conservatives accountable for their own record on affordability.

Let us get into it: we lowered the taxes for the middle class twice and raised them on the wealthiest 1%. What did the Conservatives do? They voted against it. We created the Canada child benefit and indexed it. What did the Conservatives do? They voted against it. We got tourism businesses all the way through omicron, and what did the Conservatives do? They voted against it.

We will stand for Canadians and affordability, each and every day.

[Finance, March 31st, 2022]

Mr. Speaker, let us remember the facts and review history.

Canada went into this crisis with a very solid financial position that made it possible for the government to invest in Canadians. We made investments of $511 billion in Canadians' lives, in communities, in businesses, in the province, in Quebec and across the country to alleviate and prevent the worst depression since the 1930s.

There is leadership on this side; I am not sure what is on the other side.

[Finance, March 31st, 2022]

Mr. Speaker, here are the facts, and the facts are very clear. Canada's latest inflation rate was 5.7%. In the United States, it was 7.9%. Our inflation rate is lower than the G7 average of 5.8%, the G20 average of 6.2% and the OECD average of 7.2%.

Members across the way can fight amongst themselves during their leadership race, but we are going to focus on supporting Canadians.