SoVote

Decentralized Democracy

House Hansard - 141

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
December 5, 2022 11:00AM
Context: House Hansard - 141 - Dec/5/22
Mr. Gord Johns
  • Dec/5/22 4:53:44 p.m.
  • Watch
  • Re: Bill C-32 
Mr. Speaker, I wanted to raise those important items because they were not in the budget, and they were not in the fall economic statement. They are missing. Those are opportunities to help our communities and to help keep our first responders active, making sure they are protecting our communities and making sure we have economic development. One thing that was missing, that we have been calling for, is the removal is the GST on home heating. It was a huge opportunity that the government missed. It could have increased the excess profit tax and covered that off. It also could have removed the surcharge at Canada Post, which is having an impact on people, on Canadians from coast to coast to coast, especially in rural and remote communities, and most especially in Nunavut, where the cost of shipping is extremely high. They are competing with Purolator, which does not even pay tax in Canada. It is a huge opportunity missed. I hope the government is listening and that it can make these adjustments now to help support Canadians immediately.
180 words
All Topics
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
Context: House Hansard - 141 - Dec/5/22
Mr. Gord Johns
  • Dec/5/22 4:56:46 p.m.
  • Watch
  • Re: Bill C-32 
Mr. Speaker, it is extremely frustrating. Again, there is some stuff we liked. We liked seeing that they were getting rid of interest on student loans. That is really important. It is something that we have been fighting for. We liked seeing that there is an excess tax at 1.5% on big banks and insurance companies over $100 million. However, there is a lot missing. There was an opportunity to go after the excess profits of oil and gas, of the three big grocery stores, and that money could have been returned to Canadians. It could have funded removing the GST on home heating and ensuring that people are not paying a surcharge for Canada Post. It was a missed opportunity to help people immediately. As well, on taking care of first responders, which I talked about at great lengths, the government has not done enough for the people who put their lives on the line, who were there for us through COVID, and who are there for us every day and night.
174 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border