Senator Ataullahjan: Leader, this is not a problem your government can fix with a one-time housing benefit or other temporary fixes — nor cancelling a Disney+ subscription, as the finance minister lectured Canadians about last week, make a difference. Such comments reflect the deep-rooted disconnect between the Trudeau government and the reality of everyday Canadians. Canadians need concrete and lasting solutions for the current affordability crisis they’re facing. I will ask again: Will your government finally take serious action to make life more affordable for students and all Canadians?

Senator Dagenais: Jean Chrétien, who was the Prime Minister when the very first G20 meeting was held, said that these summits were the ideal time to have more private meetings with major world leaders and discuss various issues. That is in stark contrast to what Mr. Trudeau is doing. The Prime Minister is not talking to China or to Russia. That does nothing to improve Canada’s influence on important global issues.

Do you think it’s time that Mr. Trudeau adopted the approach of great prime ministers, such as Lester B. Pearson, Brian Mulroney, Stephen Harper and Jean Chrétien, to restore Canada’s image?