House Hansard - 165

44th Parl. 1st Sess.

March 7, 2023 10:00AM

Mr. Adam Chambers (Simcoe North, CPC)

Mar/7/23 2:07:28 p.m.
Watch

Mr. Speaker, on April 1, the government is increasing the excise tax on alcohol, beer, spirits and wine by over 6%. As if inflation is not hurting Canadians enough, now they have to dig deeper in their pockets to enjoy their favourite libation. It is expected that this would cost taxpayers, Canadians, consumers and businesses $125 million more next year. It is enough to drive one to drink. The excise tax affects all producers, big and small, including local breweries such as Quayle's Brewery in Oro-Medonte, and the entrepreneurs who are just starting out, who will now have to manage a higher cost. Why does the government not just pause the tax hike, even for just a year, or cap it at a reasonable level when inflation is out of control? It needs to put a cork in the escalator, free the beer, and let Canadians enjoy their favourite spirits without having to dig deeper in their pockets. What would Bob and Doug McKenzie have to say? They would say, “Stop hosing us, eh.”

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Context: House Hansard - 165 - Mar/7/23

Hon. Randy Boissonnault (Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance, Lib.)

Mar/7/23 3:01:16 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, we know that Canadians are going through a hard time. There is an inflationary cycle that has gripped the world. The fact is that in our country, our inflation is lower than the average in the G7 and in the EU. It is not good enough for Canadians and that is why we have a robust set of affordability measures in place. The other side provides no hope, no plan and no vision for the future. We do; that is our job. We have the backs of Canadians.

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Context: House Hansard - 165 - Mar/7/23

Mr. Pierre Paul-Hus (Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, CPC)

Mar/7/23 3:04:12 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, this year, Canadians will feel the brunt of the 4.25% increase in the Bank of Canada's base rate. According to Statistics Canada, 35% of Canadian households reported that it was difficult for them to meet their financial needs in the previous 12 months. What is more, 44% of respondents said that they were very concerned with their household's ability to afford housing or rent. Will the Prime Minister admit that his out-of-control spending caused inflation and created conditions that are impoverishing Canadian families?

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Context: House Hansard - 165 - Mar/7/23

Hon. Randy Boissonnault (Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance, Lib.)

Mar/7/23 3:04:45 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, inflation was not caused by all of the support measures that we put in place to help people get through the pandemic, regardless of the Conservative Party's far-fetched economic theories. What we are not going to hear from the other side of the House is a plan. The Conservatives do not have a plan for the economy. They do not have a plan for housing. They do not even believe in climate change, so they definitely do not have a plan for that. On this side of the House, we believe in Canadians. We believe in having a plan and we are going to follow our plan to support Canadians.

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Context: House Hansard - 165 - Mar/7/23

Hon. Randy Boissonnault

Mar/7/23 3:08:57 p.m.
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Perhaps we should go back to the past, Mr. Speaker, and talk about nine years of stagflation during the Harper government, when the Canadian economy did not grow more than 1% or maybe 1.2%. Which country in the world is positioned to lead the G7 in growth next year? It is Canada. Is that good enough for Canadians who are struggling with inflation? No. That is why we have affordability measures in place. They voted against them. We are voting with Canadians. They can hem and haw. We are here for Canadians.

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House Hansard - 165