Asked why the fall economic statement hasn’t been tabled, Freeland accused Poilievre of delaying the process
OTTAWA — Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is challenging Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland to table her fall economic statement after she accused him of delaying the process.
“We’ll give her two hours out of our Conservative opposition motion day on Monday for her to stand on her feet and tell us how much she’s lost control of the nation’s finances,” said Poilievre on Wednesday.
Poilievre’s comments come after the minister suggested Tuesday afternoon that the government was “keen to deliver an economic statement in the fall” but has been unable to do so because the Conservatives are filibustering the House of Commons with a question of privilege.
“That has real consequences in terms of the government’s ability to do the work that we need to do for Canadians,” said Freeland during a press conference.
The government is not required to present an economic statement to the House of Commons, and for many years the previous Conservative government presented it outside of Parliament. But Freeland was clear about her intention to continue her habit of introducing it on the floor of the House of Commons “where the work of Parliament is done.”
“We’ll present a full fiscal picture when we present the fall economic statement,” she said, insisting that it would be presented in the fall, which means it would have to be tabled before Dec. 21.
Poilievre said the delay suggested the minister may be hiding the real numbers, pointing to Freeland’s commitment to a $40-billion cap on the federal government’s deficit.
“Why won’t the finance minister tell us the true number? What’s she hiding? Is she hiding that Trudeau lost control of the deficit this year, just like every year?” he asked.
“Maybe they’re fighting over how big and out of control the deficit actually is. Once again, such a fight would be a loss of control by the prime minister,” he added.
Bloc Québécois leader Yves-François Blanchet believes that the problem lies elsewhere.
“I have the impression that the government does not currently have a complete, real and credible reading of the economic situation,” he suggested on Parliament Hill.
Minutes after Poilievre reached out, government House leader Karina Gould appeared surprised by the gesture.
“Oh, okay, I’ll have to think about it,” she said before entering the Liberal caucus meeting. She quickly added that the Conservatives should end their two-month filibuster rather than offer a few hours here and there.
Meanwhile, Treasury Board President Anita Anand dismissed the idea that Freeland would “respond” to Pierre Poilievre’s request for a fall economic statement.
“I don’t think that Pierre Poilievre offer is going to be what moves her to present her financial update and the fall economic statement to Canadians. She’s working hard on it, and she’ll do it when she’s ready,” Anand said.
Poilievre said Conservatives will be ready to clear some time for Freeland if she accepts the offer.
“So the challenge is over to Chrystia Freeland and Justin Trudeau. Stand on your feet Monday at 4 p.m. We’ll clear the deck, so you can do it and tell us how badly you’ve lost control of the nation’s finances,” he said.
National Post
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