Mr. Speaker, the Liberals' inflation is the slow undoing of a family's dignity, yet the government keeps driving the deficit higher with reckless inflationary spending that is even worse than Trudeau's. We already know, based on last year's economic statement, that the deficit was $62 billion. Now, unfortunately, Canadians are bracing for something even larger. What do the Liberals tell us? They tell us not to worry; they are investments.

As a banking professional, I find that insulting. They can dress it up as operating versus capital, but that does not change the reality of the bank statement of a single mother. Groceries have doubled and rent has doubled, and she has to decide whether she feeds her children or pays her rent.

We know the statistics. Food inflation is now running 70% above target. Coffee is up 28%. Fresh and frozen beef is up 12%. Even infant formula is up 7%.

However, the statistics do not tell the full story. This summer, I sent a survey to my constituents in Newmarket—Aurora. I received hundreds of answers, and the answers broke my heart. Here are some of them. A young family told me they were a household with a combined income of six figures working long hours and were still struggling with affordability. Another family said the cost of living had gone too high and that their mortgage was three times higher. A senior wrote that they have to keep working because their pension and old age security are not enough to cover bills.

There was another senior who shared an anecdote with me. He said when he was little, his father taught him to work very hard and to give it his all so he could achieve what he wanted. The fact is, he gave it his all and is still unable to afford his house and his food.

These are not isolated cases. They are the everyday reality of Canadians across this country, yet after years of warning, the Liberal government shrugs. It puts forward a 1% tax cut and calls it relief, while families sink deeper and deeper into debt and despair.

Canadians are not asking for much. They are not asking for handouts. They are asking for a government that will hear their plea, restore affordability and give them back the hope of a future where work pays, where savings count and where they can stand on their own two feet. The Liberals spend, they smile and they strip families of their basic necessities with no fiscal anchor in sight.

In the spring, I asked the Minister of Jobs and Families whether the Liberals will finally table a budget and reduce spending. The answer was clear: no budget, no discipline and more broken promises. Canadians deserve the truth about the cost of the government's recklessness, because it is not the Prime Minister paying for broken promises; it is Canadian families.

What is the deficit going to be this year? Will it be $70 billion, $80 billion or $100 billion? I will ask this again: Will the Liberals keep asking parents to pay for their broken promises?

Sandra Cobena

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Adjournment Proceedings

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