QUESTION PERIOD — Finance
Fiscal Update
December 10, 2024
Leader, Conservative senators have asked you repeatedly about the convoluted two-month GST holiday that your fiscally irresponsible government came up with a few weeks ago. The Globe and Mail reported this morning that this tax trick, along with the idea of sending $250 cheques to people making $149,000 a year, was the brainchild of the Prime Minister’s Office alone. Minister Freeland’s department finally viewed something as “fiscally unwise” and “making little economic sense.” Finally, we’re in agreement with the finance minister. They are at odds.
If the Prime Minister doesn’t even have the support of his finance minister, then why should Canadians support him? It’s time to call a carbon tax election, isn’t it, leader? And answer the first question as well, not “no” to the second one.
If you’ve read all the coverage, which I have, you will also note that the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance expressed her support and, indeed, appeared before our committee. Our committee, under the chairmanship of Senator Carignan, held three high-quality and intensive meetings on this particular bill. It was passed by the committee without amendment. The debate will begin.
Senator Plett, you and your colleagues will have ample opportunity to make your views known. That’s the answer to the first part of the question.
To answer the second part of the question, as witnessed by the failure of the non-confidence motion, only one of which your party seemed to — I guess they didn’t want to lose three in a row. This government still has the confidence of the House.
You have the confidence of Jagmeet Singh, and no one voted for him to be the prime minister.
The Parliamentary Budget Officer predicts that Minister Freeland has blown past her fiscal guardrail of $40 billion. There are now media reports that the deficit projection in the Fall Economic Statement could hit $62 billion, leader. If that figure is wrong — and I hope it is — will the government say so now and not wait until Monday?
Senator, as we know and as you stated in your question, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance will be delivering her Fall Economic Statement on Monday. That’s when I will know what the number is, and the rest of us in the chamber and Canadians will know.
