Finance

The committee considered a motion from Jean-Denis Garon (Bloc Québécois) requesting that the Minister of Finance appear no later than September 24 to answer questions, so the committee could proceed with its pre-budget study. Garon argued that the normal budget cycle had been broken because no budget was tabled in spring 2025, and the government’s November 4 budget date left insufficient time for proper public consultations. He emphasized that the committee’s mandate under Standing Order 83.1 required it to examine budgetary policies in advance, and that rushing consultations would disrespect stakeholders who had submitted recommendations.

Conservative member Jasraj Hallan supported the motion, adding that the government had initially resisted tabling a budget and was likely hiding a large deficit. Liberal members Ryan Turnbull and Carlos Leitão opposed the motion, arguing that the election had interrupted the cycle and that the committee should instead begin hearing from the 940 witnesses who had submitted briefs. They contended that the budget was not finalized and that consultations across the country had already occurred. Leitão also defended the government’s fiscal record, noting that inflation had fallen to 1.9% and that debt servicing costs remained manageable.

The committee did not reach a resolution on the motion during this meeting. The motion remained under debate, with no vote taken.