Ottawa, ON – Adam Chambers, Shadow Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, and Sandra Cobena, Conservative Shadow Minister for Treasury Board & The King’s Privy Council, issued the following statement on StatCan’s recent report on GDP numbers:

“A recent StatCan report shows that economic growth stalled in July, with declines in manufacturing, mining, oil and gas, retail and wholesale trade. At the same time, Canadian businesses are facing growing pressures with increased tariffs and export bans from the United States.

“Although these unjustified trade pressures are devastating, Canada’s problems did not begin with the latest provocations from Washington.

“After all, Prime Minister Carney promised to deliver the fastest-growing economy in the G7. Instead, Canada recorded just 0.1 per cent growth in his first year in office, the weakest first-year performance of any Prime Minister on record.

“The result is an economy that is not creating the prosperity Canadians were promised. No wonder economist Trevor Tombe observed that our economy’s ‘recent performance measured against our peers, or even against our own potential…looks anything but strong.’ 

“With a stagnant economy, Canadians are paying the price. The typical Canadian worker now earns more than $8,600 less than the typical American worker. Families are paying more and our standard of living continues to fall behind that of our neighbour.

“The cause is clear. After eleven years of Liberal government, Canada has become a country of announcements instead of results. Higher taxes, excessive regulation and endless delays have made it harder to build, invest and grow. 

“This has left Canada weaker than it should be at precisely the wrong time. As new economic pressures emerge from the United States, Canadians are paying the price for years of Liberal economic complacency.

“That is why Conservatives are calling for an Emergency Fuel Relief Plan to save Canadians money today and strengthen our economy for tomorrow.

“First, we must deliver immediate relief by lowering the cost of fuel, transportation and production. Conservatives will continue fighting to remove federal taxes that drive up costs for workers, families, farmers and businesses.

“Second, we must unleash growth by accelerating project approvals, cutting red tape, rewarding investment and expanding the energy, infrastructure and industrial projects that create good-paying jobs and make Canada more self-reliant.

“The choice is clear. We can continue down a path of slow growth, rising costs and declining competitiveness, or we can take action to build a stronger, more prosperous and more self-sufficient economy.

“It is time to save Canadians money, attract investment, grow paycheques and restore the economic strength that allows Canadians not just to get by, but to get ahead.”