44th Parl. 1st Sess.
December 7, 2023 10:00AM
- Dec/7/23 5:05:21 p.m.
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Madam Speaker, my colleague just said again that the Conservatives wanted to repeal the tax on families. How is a family defined in the context of their motion? It is not defined. Is it when there are at least two parents and one child? Is a couple without children a family? That will be pretty much—
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- Dec/7/23 5:05:37 p.m.
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The member's telephone is vibrating. If he could move it away from the microphone, I would appreciate it.
The hon. member for Berthier—Maskinongé.
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- Dec/7/23 5:05:47 p.m.
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Madam Speaker, someone was unaware that I was speaking.
The member just referred to families, and I would like to know what is the Conservatives' definition of family. Are we talking about two parents with one child? Will people who have no children pay the carbon tax? I would like to understand that part.
I would also like the member to tell me whether it is true that low-income families receive a rebate in the provinces that are subject to the carbon tax. Since Quebec is not subject to the carbon tax, we do not have much information about it.
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- Dec/7/23 5:06:21 p.m.
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Madam Speaker, I know he is concerned with provincial jurisdiction in Quebec. I would not have a lot of insight into that.
What will matter here today is whether the other members and the other parties in this House will have the courage and the integrity to stand up and vote on a non-confidence vote to make sure the tax is taken off first nations, farmers and families who heat their houses.
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- Dec/7/23 5:06:58 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I move that, notwithstanding any Standing Order or usual practice of the House, if the House has not disposed of all questions related to the business of supply for the period ending December 10, 2023, by 11:59 p.m. later this day, the Speaker shall suspend the proceedings of the House until the next calendar day at 7 a.m., at which time the proceedings will resume, provided that (1) in the event that consideration of any motion or bill based on the supplementary estimates (B) is not completed by 11:59 p.m. that day, the Speaker shall again interrupt the proceedings until the next calendar day at 7 a.m., in order to dispose of the business of supply; (2) at the end of the said supply period, the House shall adjourn to the next sitting day, pursuant to Standing Order 24(1).
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- Dec/7/23 5:07:57 p.m.
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All those opposed to the hon. minister's moving the motion will please say nay.
Some hon. members: Nay.
The Assistant Deputy Speaker (Mrs. Alexandra Mendès): Resuming debate, the hon. member for Red Deer—Mountain View.
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- Dec/7/23 5:08:19 p.m.
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Madam Speaker, I am honoured to rise today, especially to speak on behalf of farmers, first nations and families.
The members of the Liberal-NDP government are completely out of touch with the real needs of Canadians. Their blind, ideological obsession has increased the price of groceries for a family of four by over $700, bringing the total family cost to over $16,000.
Ontario first nations are seeking a judicial review of the federal government's carbon pricing regime, arguing that Ottawa's pollution pricing policy unjustly and disproportionately burdens their communities.
Farmers continue to be handcuffed by an embedded carbon tax on farm inputs that unfairly affects their bottom line and affects their competitiveness within the global agricultural market. Farming and farmers across this country have unique obstacles through which they must navigate. Those farmers who do not face competition from foreign food suppliers tend to be able to pass some of the added expenses onto the consumer but costs like fuel, fertilizer, herbicides, seed, labour, transportation, capital costs, interest and property taxes cause many sleepless nights for farmers. Another item that many businesses would factor in is profit; however, that is never guaranteed in farming.
While we are discussing competitiveness, if we look to our friends in Australia, who have axed the tax in favour of a direct action policy, where investment dollars are available, the competitiveness is creating new technology and achieving targets without taxing citizens and businesses. Canadian farmers, first nations, and small and medium-sized businesses in Canada are grappling with a competitiveness problem because of these restrictive and harmful Liberal-NDP coalition policies. We see this competitive disadvantage compared to our international allies that do not have a carbon tax, like the United States. We see Canadian companies that have developed clean technology or telecommunications achievements leaving Canada because they cannot gain funding to scale business for American investors who are backed by more flexible government policies.
Canadian competitiveness is also hampered by the government's lack of cohesive policies to counter China and the supply chain issue. We have heard over and over how the Liberal-NDP coalition believes Canada needs to produce domestic critical minerals, but the action lags behind their desire in this area. We are ever more reliant on China and its network of critical mineral mines around the world to produce things like EV batteries.
We are seeing the highest level of food bank use. We are seeing food report after food report showing grocery prices on the rise. The increasing input costs for products, global events and rising production costs have contributed to these price increases.
Something that I want to come back to is the fact that first nations in Ontario are seeking a judicial review of the Liberal-NDP carbon pricing regime. They disclosed in court documents the adverse effect that carbon taxes had on their communities. In a Globe and Mail article, they noted that the carbon price violates the principles of reconciliation and their constitutional rights. They also disclosed that they tried to negotiate with the coalition government. Why were they not able to reach an agreement? It is no secret that the carbon price rebate is tied to one's income. As the Ontario chiefs noted, “many First Nations members living on reserves do not pay income tax and cannot access the rebates”. That is another example of the coalition government developing policy that is restrictive and built in a box, instead of something that is adaptive and that would consider the challenges that first nations face on reserve.
There is a pan-Canadian ripple effect of the carbon pricing regime the Liberal-NDP coalition is pushing. The cost is downloaded onto consumers, products and services, but now the government wants Canadians to dig a little deeper and really give up their last red cent. These destructive policies are having a profound impact on Canadians' ability to balance their budget, make ends meet and put food on their tables.
Coming back to the food price report released today, it paints a bleak picture of struggling Canadians. Food costs will rise anywhere from 2.5% to 4.5% this year. The average family of four is expected to spend $16,297 on groceries in 2024. Canadians are reducing the amount they are spending on groceries. Between 2022 and 2023, Canadians reduced the amount they spent in food and beverage retail by 3.26%. The reason is they have a lot of other bills they have to pay. Canadians are being forced to supplement or totally use food banks, and the government has failed to realize that its destructive policies directly impact the struggles of Canadians, first nations and farmers.
Speaking of farmers, right now I am farmer and have a lot experience in this regard. I am very concerned about what happened in the Senate, as we know that farmers feed communities and provide the commodities we need to advance our food security at times when they are needed.
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- Dec/7/23 5:15:02 p.m.
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It is my duty pursuant to Standing Order 38 to inform the House that the questions to be raised tonight at the time of adjournment are as follows: The hon. member for Saskatoon—Grasswood, Finance, and the hon. member for Kitchener Centre, Canadian Heritage.
It being 5:15 p.m. and this being the final supply day in the period ending December 10, it is my duty to interrupt the proceedings and put forthwith every question necessary to dispose of the business of supply.
The question is on the motion.
If a member participating in person wishes that the motion be carried or carried on division, or if a member of a recognized party participating in person wishes to request a recorded division, I would invite them to rise and indicate it to the Chair.
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- Dec/7/23 5:16:11 p.m.
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Madam Speaker, we request a recorded division.
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- Dec/7/23 5:16:14 p.m.
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- Dec/7/23 5:59:07 p.m.
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I declare the motion defeated.
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- Dec/7/23 5:59:24 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. I know we are not supposed to reflect on the vote that just took place, and the House generally does not take the same question twice, but if the government does want to avoid a marathon voting session, all it has to do is take the carbon tax off of farmers, families and first nations.
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- Dec/7/23 5:59:39 p.m.
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That is not a point of order.
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- Dec/7/23 6:00:36 p.m.
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moved:
That Vote 1b, in the amount of $253,645, under Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency — Operating expenditures, in the Supplementary Estimates (B) for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2024, be concurred in.
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- Dec/7/23 6:00:36 p.m.
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The question is on Motion No. 1.
If a member participating in person wishes that the motion be carried or carried on division, or if a member of a recognized party participating in person wishes to request a recorded division, I would invite them to rise and indicate it to the Chair.
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- Dec/7/23 6:00:36 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I hereby request a recorded division.
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- Dec/7/23 6:11:50 p.m.
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I declare the motion carried.
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- Dec/7/23 6:12:40 p.m.
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The next question is on Motion No. 2.
If a member participating in person wishes that the motion be carried or carried on division, or if a member of a recognized party participating in person wishes to request a recorded division, I would invite them to rise and indicate it to the Chair.
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- Dec/7/23 6:12:40 p.m.
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moved:
That Vote 5b, in the amount of $28,503,550, under Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency — Grants and contributions, in the Supplementary Estimates (B) for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2024, be concurred in.
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- Dec/7/23 6:12:40 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I think this is an important question, so I request a recorded division.
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