QUESTION PERIOD — Finance
Availability of Documents
April 30, 2026
Senator Moreau, your Liberal government tabled its Spring Economic Update on Tuesday. Members of the House of Commons received hard copies of this document in their offices. It is my understanding that members of the Senate Finance Committee received these booklets, but aside from those few, most senators did not: not even an email or a link from the Department of Finance; not a book; nothing. Your Liberal government has a stunning $67-billion deficit, but you won’t cough up the pocket change to supply senators with the information we require to thoroughly examine government spending.
Yesterday, your government deputy leader tabled the Spring Economic Update booklet in the Senate Chamber and launched a Senate inquiry into its contents, but how can we fully participate in that debate when you haven’t even given us the information we need to hold this government accountable?
I understand there will be a budget implementation act, or BIA, to implement the measures in the Spring Economic Update, and, therefore, senators will have an opportunity to fully study the update. If you want it today, I can provide you with an extra copy. I have one if you want it, and maybe you will be able to ask questions. It is a very nice update that brings into our economy an additional $37.5 billion to respond to the needs of Canadians and strengthen our economy.
Yes, when MPs get them, so should we.
Senator Moreau, this is not a new problem. You know the same thing actually happened last year. When the Liberal government tabled its budget last fall, one of our colleagues raised the issue of the missing booklets with you in Question Period. Given that, why didn’t you, the Government Representative in the Senate, ensure that senators received copies this time around? Why does this Liberal government continue to treat senators like second-class parliamentarians?
It is certainly not the intention of the government, nor is it mine. I understand that the document is online, and you can consult it right now. Again, if you want to have a hard copy of the document, I reiterate my intention to send it to your office.
It is very important, and I like the fact that you want to study it because there are so many things in it about the economy, affordability, the environment and very good government decisions. It would be a good idea for you to take notice of those —
Thank you, Senator Moreau.
