Randy Boissonnault

[Finance, March 31st, 2022]

Mr. Speaker, when it comes to something as serious as the nation's finances, it is important to separate partisan posturing from the facts. We have seen the partisan posturing; now for some facts. The fact is that the world's two leading rating agencies, S&P and Moody's, have reaffirmed Canada's AAA credit rating. Our economy grew again in January, and it is the eighth consecutive month of economic growth. That is prudent leadership and that is stewardship of the economy that all Canadians can be proud of.

[The Economy, March 31st, 2022]

Mr. Speaker, let us recall a bit of history. Canada entered this crisis in a strong fiscal position, allowing the government to take decisive action to put in place the supports that Canadians needed during the worst health crisis in a century. Our response to COVID was $511 billion invested in the lives, livelihoods, communities and provinces of this country. It kept people in their homes and in their jobs.

While the other side is fighting itself over leadership, we are going to keep fighting for Canadians and affordability every day.

[The Economy, March 30th, 2022]

Mr. Speaker, our record is clear when it comes to supporting the most vulnerable Canadians with the cost of living. We introduced the Canada child benefit, which is indexed to inflation, and lifted 300,000 children out of poverty. Our government increased the guaranteed income supplement, which is also indexed to inflation and has helped over 900,000 seniors. From 2015, when we formed government, to 2019, we raised 1.38 million Canadians out of poverty. That is leadership. That is focus on affordability.

[The Economy, March 30th, 2022]

Mr. Speaker, we will find out in due course what is in the budget. This last weekend, I was at the doors in my riding of Edmonton Centre. Moms and dads were thanking me and the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development for passing the child care agreement with Alberta, and just this week we have a deal in Ontario.

Every province and every territory is now covered, with thousands of dollars back in the pockets of everyday Canadians. That is leadership. That is affordability.

[The Economy, March 30th, 2022]

Mr. Speaker, the Conservatives continue to talk down the Canadian economy and spin economic fiction. Let us deal in facts. StatsCan showed that our GDP grew by 6.7% in Q4. Our economy is the second fastest growing in the G7 this year. We are poised to be the fastest growing economy in the G7 next year, and despite the challenges of omicron, our economy's GDP is back to prepandemic levels.

The other side can spin economic fiction. Those are the facts.

[Taxation, March 30th, 2022]

Mr. Speaker, while we have to wait just over a week to learn the full contents of the budget, I am very happy to share today some facts that speak directly to affordability. First, a single mom with two kids will receive $13,600 from the Canada child benefit. Second, the average family in Saskatchewan will get almost $1,000 in a carbon price rebate. Third, seniors received $500 this summer and we are increasing OAS by 10%. Fourth, a student will save more than $3,000. Those are the facts.

[Carbon Pricing, March 30th, 2022]

Mr. Speaker, let us talk about the facts. First, we cut taxes for the middle class twice and increased taxes for the wealthiest 1%. The Conservatives voted against it. Second, we created the Canada child benefit, which is indexed to inflation. The Conservatives voted against it. Third, we gave seniors aged 75 and over a one-time $500 payment. What did the Conservatives do? They voted against it. We are taking action. We are not sure about the Conservatives.

[The Economy, March 30th, 2022]

Mr. Speaker, I thank my hon. colleague for his question on the need to build a more just and more inclusive economy for all Canadians. That has been the focus of our work ever since we formed government.

We only have to look at all the measures we have taken to make life more affordable for Canadians: We provided support to Canadians during the pandemic with Bill C‑2; we raised taxes on the wealthiest 1% and we cut them for the middle class; we increased the Canada child benefit. That is making life more affordable.

[The Economy, March 30th, 2022]

Mr. Speaker, building a fairer, more inclusive economy that works for all Canadians has been a central focus of our government from the beginning, and while we appreciate the intent behind the previous NDP motion and the hon. member's question, let us remember all the things we have done for the middle class. We provided more pandemic supports for Canadians and businesses in Bill C-2, and the NDP voted against it. We raised taxes on the wealthiest 1% and lowered them for the middle class. We stopped the Canada child benefit from going to millionaires and it benefited nine out of 10 Canadians.

There is much that we have done for Canadians on affordability. We will keep doing more.

[Carbon Pricing, March 30th, 2022]

Mr. Speaker, it is no surprise to hear this from the Conservatives when their top candidate for leader, the member for Carleton, is campaigning against real action on climate change. The PBO's report confirms that the price of pollution has a progressive impact that gives eight out of 10 Canadians more money through the climate action incentive, which goes back into their pockets. In the last week, we announced climate incentives in Ontario, Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan.

While members on that side of the aisle fight each other, we fight for Canadians.