QUESTION PERIOD — Finance
Cost of Living
September 28, 2026
A recent survey by the National Payroll Institute found that 28% of Canadians are now living paycheque to paycheque, the highest level in the last five years. Canadians are struggling under the weight of rising everyday costs, with groceries identified as the leading source of financial stress for over half of respondents. Meanwhile, Canada’s Financial Wellness Lab estimates that financial stress is costing our economy $74 billion annually in lost productivity. After 18 months in office, do you still believe your government’s economic plan is working for Canadians?
The government made affordability for all Canadians the number one issue, with measures for all Canadians. We lowered taxes for 22 million Canadians with Bill C-4. We are cutting the consumer carbon tax and providing immediate relief for groceries with Bill C-19. We are reducing the contribution rate to the Canada Pension Plan from 9.9% to 9.5% with Bill C-30.
As for groceries, we are providing immediate relief on groceries with Bill C-19 and providing $1 billion to expand food terminals so independent grocers can buy at competitive prices. I could go on and on. For protections for vulnerable Canadians, for the housing market, for children, the government is acting on many plans, and we continue to work for Canadians to bring affordability to everyone.
That was quite a list, leader, but the problem is the fact that one in four Canadians cannot cover a $500 emergency expense without taking on debt. They would certainly disagree and say what you are doing is not working. They would agree that what you are doing is not working.
Would the many parents who are now helping adult children pay rent and afford groceries agree to this long list? Why is it not working, senator? You have given me the list —
Senator Moreau?
It is a long list, but, unfortunately, all Conservatives in the other place voted against all those measures. That is a shame. The government is working hard to provide Canadians with affordability, with housing possibilities. For children, for instance, we are investing $57 billion for 900,000 affordable child care spaces with Bill C-15. We are making the National School Food Program permanent for 400,000 children. I think the plan is working.
