QUESTION PERIOD — Finance
Cost of Living
February 12, 2026
On another very important note, a recent Financial Post report highlights that as the cost of living rises, Canadians’ debt loads are soaring, with more households becoming insolvent. Many families are juggling multiple credit cards and payday loans just to cover the basics.
This should be a flashing red light for your government. This is survival, not choice. Lower- and middle-income households are struggling to make ends meet, while debt servicing erodes their ability to save or invest. Senator Moreau, working Canadians deserve better than Liberal failure.
Can your government claim to be protecting the middle class when so many families are drowning in debt just to survive?
Again, Senator Martin, I wonder why you’re asking this question when your friends in the other place are voting against that. Most of the time, I am answering questions saying that I will raise the issue with the minister. Maybe you should invite me to your national caucus. I would raise questions with them and ask why they are voting against measures that increase the possibility for Canadians to have a better life.
May I remind you of what we have already accomplished? I have a long list of what we are doing, even though your friends in the other place have voted against all budget measures that would help Canadians at this time.
Well, they should definitely begin by inviting you to their caucus meeting so that you can have that direct face time during cabinet sessions. That would be very important.
But, Senator Moreau, how can you defend an affordability budget when families are forced to rely on payday loans and credit cards to get by? Middle-income Canadians’ wealth has stagnated, while the top 20% prosper. How can you defend your government’s terrible record on this?
Thank you. This would be a very good declaration for you to make at your own national caucus, Senator Martin, because maybe you could convince them to vote for the measures in the budget that would help Canadians. We’re lowering taxes for 22 million Canadians, which you voted against; cutting the consumer carbon tax, which you voted against; protecting dental care and pharmacare, which you voted against; and lowering the requirement for access to the disability tax credit — and the list goes on.
