QUESTION PERIOD — Finance
Fiscal Accountability
December 17, 2024
Leader, with a $62 billion deficit — as much as Senator Cardozo wanted to make this look positive — our country cannot afford your incompetent government, including this GST tax trick. In her resignation letter, the former Minister of Finance referred to “ . . . costly political gimmicks, which we can ill afford . . . .” That’s your finance minister.
You criticized Conservative senators for calling it a trick, but she agreed with us. After nine long years, our country is in dire need of strong, stable leadership, and we are not getting it from the “all options” Jagmeet Singh or the NDP-Liberal government, which must finally come to an end.
Leader, are you ashamed of having supported this total economic disaster when even the Minister of Finance herself could not?
Well, thank you for your interest in my personal moral sentiment, and I am happy to stand here representing the government and representing the policies of this government.
I’m not going to speak personally about you or your colleagues, although you seem to have spoken quite personally about the independent senators and the independent Senate, but the fact remains that, no, I’m not ashamed. If you take the time to look at the Fall Economic Statement, you will see that despite the increase in spending — which is undeniable — there are important investments that are being made to further protect our borders and our security and help Canadians, and I would be happy to elaborate further if you are interested in the policy issues.
Clearly, even the finance minister was ashamed of it — she wouldn’t deliver it.
Leader, I did the responsible thing and offered you to pass supply last Friday. You turned me down because of the optics. Now everyone sees where government by optics has led us.
The NDP-Liberal government is in total shambles, and their gimmicks have put Canada in a terrible position. When will we have a carbon tax election?
Senator, on this last day, I believe, before we rise, you have chosen to disclose private conversations. Let me be clear about what my position was to this chamber, to the leaders and to you, sir. It was that it would be irresponsible for the Senate to rise before the House rises because the House may very well be providing us with work that we would have a constitutional obligation to do.
Please, senator, with all due respect, do not misrepresent either my words or my —
Senator Gold, as Canadians grapple with the prospect of a tariff war with the United States, Justin Trudeau is focusing on gimmicks and trying to hold on to power. All the while, our country is facing a historic cost-of-living crisis. From housing affordability and food insecurity to rising housing debt, inflation and daily expenses, these challenges are being further exasperated by Justin Trudeau’s carbon tax.
Of course, the Prime Minister claims the carbon tax is essential to safeguarding the future of our children and grandchildren. He even goes on to say that it is essential in order to prevent Canada from burning down to the ground because of global warming, but the truth is that Justin Trudeau is burning this country down to its foundation all on his own, government leader. With deficits like the unprecedented $62 billion unveiled yesterday, which is over 50% of what the government projected, we are finding ourselves going over the debt fiscal guardrails.
Senator Gold, my question is very simple: Do you still have confidence that this government can steer a bright future for —
There were many comments and one question.
To answer as much of that as I can, first of all, once again, senator, with all due respect, you are offside. Reputable, independent economists have said — not only about the carbon tax as a policy but about its actual impact on prices, but that is consistent with the narrative that you spread.
The fact remains that notwithstanding the increased spending that increased the deficit, it is the case, as independent economists have also said — indeed, even recently, before our committees — that Canada’s economy is a sustainable one. The investments that are being made in the Fall Economic Statement towards our border security and affordability issues that Canadians desperately need are in the best interests of Canadians.
Reputable economists? “Reputable” and the Trudeau government right now don’t go together.
Why don’t you listen to the voters in British Columbia who made it clear last night that they have no confidence in this government. Former ministers like Catherine McKenna have made it clear they have lost confidence, as have several caucus members. Trudeau’s own Deputy Prime Minister — his most trusted sidekick for years — has made it clear that she has lost confidence in the leadership of this government.
One simple question, Senator Gold: Do you have confidence in this inept and disastrous government?
Senator Housakos, the issue is whether the House of Commons has confidence in this government, and when I last looked, the government still enjoys the confidence of the House of Commons.
With regard to the economists, Trevor Tombe and Jennifer Winter, the University of Calgary professors — who are not government employees — were very clear about the facts — which you continue to deny — about the impact of carbon pricing on the cost of living.
