SoVote

Decentralized Democracy

House Hansard - 232

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
October 16, 2023 11:00AM
Context: House Hansard - 232 - Oct/16/23
Hon. Chrystia Freeland (Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Lib.)
  • Oct/16/23 2:23:16 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, given that this is the first time we are all present in this House since these horrific terrorist attacks by Hamas, let me begin by saying that Canada stands in solidarity with the State of Israel and the Israeli people, and that Canada stands shoulder to shoulder with Israel and the Israeli people. They can count on Canada's continued support. We call for the immediate release of all hostages and unequivocally condemn Hamas' terrorist attacks.
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Context: House Hansard - 232 - Oct/16/23
Hon. Chrystia Freeland (Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Lib.)
  • Oct/16/23 2:24:59 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, this is the first time we have all been present in this House since these horrific terrorist attacks by Hamas on the state of Israel and the Israeli people, so I would like to begin by being very clear: Canada stands with the State of Israel and with the Israeli people. Israel can count on Canada's support. Canada unequivocally condemns Hamas' terrorist attacks, and we call for the immediate release of all hostages.
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Context: House Hansard - 232 - Oct/16/23
Hon. Chrystia Freeland (Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Lib.)
  • Oct/16/23 2:26:28 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, our government will be providing an update on our debt and deficit figures and on our revenues in the fall economic statement in due course. When it comes to Canada's fiscal position, let me be very clear: Canadians should listen to the independent ratings agencies whose job it is to evaluate Canada's position and not the partisan talking-Canada-down attacks of the opposition. Canada's AAA rating has been reaffirmed by ratings agencies since the budget. We are fiscally strong.
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Context: House Hansard - 232 - Oct/16/23
Hon. Chrystia Freeland (Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Lib.)
  • Oct/16/23 2:27:59 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, let me again bring some independent, non-partisan facts to this conversation. It is the job of the ratings agencies to determine the sustainability of every country's fiscal position, and ratings agencies have reaffirmed Canada's AAA rating. Why did they do that? It is because we have the lowest deficit and the lowest debt-to-GDP ratio in the G7. We believe in fiscal responsibility, and the numbers show it.
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Context: House Hansard - 232 - Oct/16/23
Hon. Chrystia Freeland (Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Lib.)
  • Oct/16/23 2:29:30 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, talk is cheap, but actions speak louder than words. If the Conservatives actually believed in supporting Canadians during the housing crisis, they would be supporting Bill C-56. It includes the critical measure of lifting the GST on all new rental construction, which would get more homes built faster. The Conservatives should actually act in the interests of Canadians and not continue to parrot their talking points.
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Context: House Hansard - 232 - Oct/16/23
Hon. Chrystia Freeland (Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Lib.)
  • Oct/16/23 2:30:55 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, Canada is one of the most important and powerful members of the western world. We are a member of NATO and the G7. Last week, I was in Morocco with the G7 finance ministers. It was the first in-person meeting of G7 ministers. I expressed our support for the State of Israel and the Israeli people, and we all condemned Hamas's terrorist attacks.
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Context: House Hansard - 232 - Oct/16/23
Hon. Chrystia Freeland (Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Lib.)
  • Oct/16/23 2:32:20 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I really appreciate the fact that all members of the House, members of the Liberal Party, members of the Conservative Party, members of the Bloc Québécois and members of the NDP are prepared to show that, for us, condemning Hamas' terrorist attacks and supporting the State of Israel is not a partisan issue, it is a Canadian issue. That is the reality, and it is very important to point that out.
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Context: House Hansard - 232 - Oct/16/23
Hon. Chrystia Freeland (Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Lib.)
  • Oct/16/23 2:33:41 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I am glad to hear the hon. colleague from the NDP also be clear in her condemnation of these terrorist attacks. It is very important to show that this is not a partisan issue for Canada. Clearly, I share, and our government shares, her concern for the hostages. We call for their immediate release.
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Context: House Hansard - 232 - Oct/16/23
Hon. Chrystia Freeland (Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Lib.)
  • Oct/16/23 2:34:57 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, our government is very clear that we support the State of Israel and recognize Israel's right to defend itself within international law. As the Prime Minister has said, we are deeply concerned by the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza. International law must be respected. Canada will continue to support civilians of Gaza with urgent humanitarian needs. That is why we announced an initial commitment of $10 million in humanitarian assistance to trusted partners.
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Context: House Hansard - 232 - Oct/16/23
Hon. Chrystia Freeland (Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Lib.)
  • Oct/16/23 2:36:22 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, in due course, our government will provide an update on the fiscal picture, both expenses and revenues, in the fall economic update. Let me be clear, because I do not want Canadians to be misled by alarmist, partisan talking points from the opposition. The reality is that Canada's position is fiscally responsible. We have the lowest debt and deficit in the G7. Our AAA credit rating has been reaffirmed by our ratings agencies.
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Context: House Hansard - 232 - Oct/16/23
Hon. Chrystia Freeland (Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Lib.)
  • Oct/16/23 2:37:46 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, our government will provide an update on our fiscal position, expenses and revenues in due course, in this fall's economic update. I want to be very clear on Canada's fiscal position. I was at the IMF World Bank finance ministers meeting just last week. That is where it was so clear that Canada has the lowest deficit, the lowest debt-to-GDP ratio in the G7. Our position is enviable.
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Context: House Hansard - 232 - Oct/16/23
Hon. Chrystia Freeland (Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Lib.)
  • Oct/16/23 2:39:26 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I am happy to confirm that I was not in the House of Commons last week. In fact, none of us were, because— Some hon. members: Oh, oh!
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Context: House Hansard - 232 - Oct/16/23
Hon. Chrystia Freeland
  • Oct/16/23 2:40:07 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, last week was, of course, a constituency week, and I was proud to be able to do my job at the IMF-World Bank finance ministers' meeting, in particular because the G7 finance ministers affirmed our shared condemnation of Hamas and shared support for the state of Israel. The first time G7 ministers had met in person, Canada was at the table that—
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Context: House Hansard - 232 - Oct/16/23
Hon. Chrystia Freeland (Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Lib.)
  • Oct/16/23 2:41:37 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, our government will state Canada's fiscal position, revenues and costs clearly in the fall economic statement in due course this fall. What the opposition clearly does not want to admit is that Canada's fiscal position is responsible. Indeed, it is enviable compared to our peer countries. This was reaffirmed by the independent ratings agency, DBRS Morningstar, which recently reaffirmed our AAA rating, and by S&P, which reaffirmed it after the budget.
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Context: House Hansard - 232 - Oct/16/23
Hon. Chrystia Freeland (Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Lib.)
  • Oct/16/23 2:42:53 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, our government will confirm the budget figures in the November economic statement. Today, however, I can point out a very important reality, a reality that should be reassuring for all Canadians: Canada's fiscal position is very strong. We have the lowest deficit and debt-to-GDP ratio in the entire G7, and our AAA credit rating has been reconfirmed by credit agencies.
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Context: House Hansard - 232 - Oct/16/23
Hon. Chrystia Freeland (Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Lib.)
  • Oct/16/23 2:51:56 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, all we are doing is increasing partisan bickering. Now I will give the facts. The facts are that Canada is fiscally responsible. Our AAA credit rating has been reconfirmed by the agencies, and we have the lowest debt and deficit in the G7. If the Conservatives want to help us with the housing crisis, they need to support our Bill C‑56. That is the reality.
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Context: House Hansard - 232 - Oct/16/23
Hon. Chrystia Freeland (Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Lib.)
  • Oct/16/23 3:00:36 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, let me share some facts. Canada has the lowest debt-to-GDP ratio and the lowest deficit in the G7. That is a fact. Canada has an AAA rating. That is also a fact. Do members know what else is a fact? The opposition, which claims to care about the housing challenges Canadians face, is blocking Bill C-56, which experts across the country say is essential to getting more rental homes built. That is sheer, utter hypocrisy.
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