Tories making affordability key issue in fall session

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That was the crux of Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre's opening salvo to kick off the first question period of the fall session — following cross-party expressions of support in the wake of Sunday's synagogue shooting in Belleville.

"The message of Conservatives is that we will fight to save you money this session of Parliament," he said. "You're paying more than ever for food, because this prime minister is costing you."

Indeed, the Tories plan to put affordability front and centre during this session.

Speaking to reporters in the House of Commons foyer ahead of question period, Conservative House Leader Andrew Scheer and Quebec Lieutenant Pierre Paul-Hus laid out their party's plan to save money, save jobs, improve public safety and fix Canada's broken immigration system.

"Mark Carney had the audacity to say back in March that affordability is the best it's ever been — how out of touch," Scheer said.

"Canadians are paying higher and higher costs at the grocery store, and as hundreds of thousands of Canadians face mortgage renewals, with inflation rising and higher interest rates, there is a cost-of-living crisis that the Liberals have proven time and time again that they ignore."

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In response to Poilievre, Prime Minister Carney said his government had indeed made inroads in making life more affordable — including cutting income taxes, GST for first-time home buyers, gas tax relief and the Canada grocery and essentials benefit.

He also accused the Tories of voting against measures that provided social services including childcare, the national school food program and dental benefits.

"What this government knows is that there are three wars affecting Canadians — the tariff war from the Americans, the war against Iran and the war against Ukraine," Carney said.

"They are pushing up fuel prices, they are pushing grocery prices, so we're providing immediate support to Canadians."

bpassifiume@postmedia.comX: @bryanpassifiume