Tories seek answers on Liberal half-trillion-dollar spending plan
"Is he really committed to new fiscal discipline, or is he just like the last guy?" said Treasury Board Critic Stephanie Kusie
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OTTAWA — The Conservatives put the government’s fiscal feet to the fire during Question Period on Thursday.
The Tories set their sights on the government’s recently-tabled $486-billion spending plan, with Conservative Treasury Board Critic Stephanie Kusie asking for some conspicuously-missing details.
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“This prime minister said that we would be guided by a new fiscal discipline,” she said. “He said he would limit operational expenditures to no greater than an increase of two per cent, yet he’s presented a bill of half a trillion dollars to Canadians. Single mothers, seniors, small businesses all make a budget before they spend. You would think a highly-esteemed banker would know that, and do that.”
Kusie questioned how committed Prime Minister Mark Carney is to change, particularly after the past decade of former PM Justin Trudeau.
“Is he really committed to new fiscal discipline, or is he just like the last guy?” she said.
Tabled Tuesday while King Charles was in town, the government’s 2025-26 main spending estimates outlined $486.9 billion in budgetary spending — figures missing numerous promises made during the election campaign.
While the Liberals’ campaign platform concerning the CBC detailed an initial cash infusion to the state broadcaster of $105 million, figures released this week only show a funding increases of less than half that number.
Few details have emerged on the government’s spending plans, particularly since officials said they won’t table a federal budget until the fall — a walkback from previous assertions that the Carney Liberals had no plans to issue a budget at all this year.
In response, Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne said the government is committed to their plan to make life more affordable.
“The first measure we introduced was a tax cut for 22 million Canadians,” he said, pointing across the aisle.
“There are Canadians in her riding that are going to benefit from the tax cuts. We’re eliminating GST for first-time homebuyers for their new house, Mr. Speaker, and we are removing the consumer carbon price from law, Mr. Speaker. Together we’re going to build Canada strong, and I hope the Conservatives will join us in that.”
bpassifiume@postmedia.com
X: @bryanpassifiume
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