Lethbridge MP Rachael Thomas said she is prepared to make a vote of non-confidence following the federal Liberals' Fall Economic Statement, November 22, 2023. (Photo: Rachael Thomas)

By David Opinko

Lethbridge MP to give vote of non-confidence in federal Liberals

Nov 22, 2023 | 8:06 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – The MP for Lethbridge said she believes the measures in this week’s Fall Economic Statement will only make bad situations worse.

Rachael Thomas has given her reaction to the speech delivered by Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland on Tuesday, November 21, 2023.

Thomas said, when it comes time for members to vote on the matter, she is prepared to show that she has no faith in Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s minority Liberal government.

“In [Tuesday’s] fall economic statement, the government had the opportunity to put Canadians first and it chose not to. That is why my Conservative colleagues and I will be voting non-confidence in the federal government,” said Thomas.

She said the Fall Economic Statement can be summed up as, “prices are up, rent is up, debt is up, taxes are up, and time is up!”

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Freeland, on the other hand, replied that the federal government is doing what it can to make life more affordable for Canadians. A few of the major points in the Statement include:

• $20.8 billion in new federal spending
• Real GDP growth of 1.1 per cent
• $40 billion budget deficit
• $15 billion to go toward loan funding to build more than 30,000 homes beginning in 2025-26
• $1 billion for a new affordable housing fund
• $50 million to help municipalities crack down on short-term rentals
• Updates to the mortgage charter to ensure providers can offer tailored relief and “reasonable” payments

READ MORE: Key highlights from the Liberals’ 2023 fall economic statement

According to Thomas, the governing party is trying to clean up the mess it made by throwing more money at it.

“Canadians simply cannot afford this government,” said Thomas. “The room was packed at my public town hall last week and the overwhelming sentiment was that life is unaffordable. People are struggling to pay their rent, buy food, and gas up their vehicles. They are feeling scared and angry.”

Thomas pointed to recent reports that say food bank visits in Lethbridge have doubled, that over half of Albertans are $200 or less away from being unable to pay their bills, and that food inflation continues to outpace the general inflation rate.

When asked what the Conservative Party of Canada would do differently, Thomas said her party has offered a common-sense solution for a long time.

“Scrap the carbon tax, rein in government spending, balance the budget, and develop a plan to build homes and not bureaucracy,” adds the MP. “Sadly, the Liberals would rather continue their damaging spending spree than make positive change for Canadians.”

A successful vote of non-confidence would trigger an early election. Without it, voters would hit the polls in 2025.

READ MORE: Food bank visits double in Lethbridge, hit record highs nationally

READ MORE: Over half of Albertans $200 away from being unable to pay their bills: report

READ MORE: Statistics Canada says annual inflation rate slowed to 3.1% in October

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