'Which one of those two is going to win?': Poilievre prods Trudeau, Freeland over spending tension
CTV
Revived talk of tensions between Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland prompted new questions Tuesday, about how big the federal deficit will be in next week's economic update.
Revived talk of tensions between Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland prompted new questions Tuesday, about how big the federal deficit will be in next week's economic update.
"She wants a large deficit of $40 billion. He on the other hand, wants an even larger deficit on steroids, bigger than $40 billion. We know that Canadians are going to lose from all this inflation, but which one of those two is going to win?" asked Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre during question period.
Poilievre's prodding came amid a new report from The Globe and Mail, citing unnamed sources that suggested the two are at odds over the economics of measures such as the two-month GST/HST pause and the in-limbo $250 workers' benefit cheques.
The holiday affordability package, if fully enacted, is slated to cost an estimated $6.3 billion.
One senior government source CTV News spoke to Tuesday said that there is tension and some frustration, but not to a degree that makes the working relationship untenable.
Another senior Liberal disagreed with the characterization of the two being "at odds" and said that in their view, Trudeau and Freeland's offices have a healthy working relationship and that tough conversations are a natural part of building a policy document such as a fall economic statement.
After being accused in question period by Poilievre of losing control of his cabinet, Trudeau responded by saying that Canadians lose when Poilievre's party votes against support measures such as dental care and the school food program.
