Opposition parties are criticizing the Liberal government’s fall economic statement released yesterday, with Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre calling it an “inflationary scheme.”
“We had two demands: no new taxes on workers and seniors and no new spending unless matched by equal savings,” said Poilievre in the House on Nov. 3.
“Today, this inflationary scheme, triples, triples, triples the tax on home heat, gas, and groceries, and adds $20 billion of inflationary spending that will drive up the cost of living.”
“As the Bank of Canada fights inflation, we will not make its job harder,” Freeland told the House.
NDP leader Jagmeet Singh also criticized the Liberals’ strategy, telling reporters on Parliament Hill on Nov. 3 that the economic statement didn’t go far enough to bring down the cost of living.
‘Out of Money’
Poilievre further criticized the government’s economic statement, saying that past spending has put “burdens on Canadians.”
“Canadians are out of money, and this prime minister is out of touch,” he told the House Thursday.
“We’re going to inherit this mess, all of us. We’re going to have to fix the problem.”
Minister of Families Karina Gould responded to Poilievre’s criticism by saying that his lack of support for the economic plan means he also doesn’t support “students across this country” or “the Canada workers benefit.”
Shortly after, Singh also told reporters that the NDP are advocating for a windfall tax, which would increase taxes for companies that see sudden spikes in their profit margins, and also said his party would support the government in voting to adopt the economic statement’s plans.
A reporter said to Singh, “You’re advocating for more spending at a time when that carries its own risks.”
“What we’re proposing is a very practical and prudent way to pay for real help to Canadians,” Singh replied, adding there’s a need to “make sure it doesn’t increase the inflation in any way.”
