QUESTION PERIOD — Finance
Cost of Living
October 1, 2024
Government leader, after nine long years of this NDP-Liberal government, the ongoing cost-of-living crisis has robbed Canadians of affordable housing and groceries. It has taken something else as well: their hope. Statistics Canada reports that less than half of Canadians feel “. . . highly satisfied . . .” with their lives, down 5% since 2021. Hopefulness about the future also fell a similar percentage. Financial struggles were closely tied to the decline. Statistics Canada also said, “In 2024, Canadians of all age groups were feeling less hopeful about the future than they were in 2021. . . .”
Leader, life has been hard under this NDP-Liberal regime, and change, hope and common sense are needed. Why will your government not recognize this and call a carbon tax election?
Thank you for your question.
The point you made — although not your question, frankly — is an important and serious one that should preoccupy all of us, not only here in Canada but throughout the world, because, regrettably, the phenomenon to which you alluded, Senator Plett — that is, young people’s diminished faith in the future — is one that we see worldwide.
There are no doubt many reasons for this. There have been tough times in the world, generally, and political movements and rhetoric that feed more on fear than hope. But it is certainly preoccupying and disturbing for all of us to see that happening, whether we have children and grandchildren or not, though many of us do. So thank you for raising this important question.
We live in the richest country in the world, leader. Don’t compare us with other countries.
Leader, you say “axe the tax,” “build the homes,” “fix the budget” and “stop the crimes” are just slogans. They are more than slogans; those words are giving much-needed hope to Canadians.
Do you realize that when you dismiss those words, you are also dismissing Canadians and their hopes for the future?
That is certainly not my intention.
Slogans, well tested, well rehearsed and well communicated though they clearly are from the other place to this place, may be politically advantageous — and I know that is your highest priority — but they are no substitute for sound policy and the prudent application of sound political and economic principles.
