I really do appreciate the member from Peterborough–Kawartha for raising such an important question.

Speaker, businesses in the north are burdened with increased costs for transporting their products, which ultimately leads to higher prices for all consumers. Moreover, the carbon tax affects various sectors, including manufacturing, mining and forestry, which are critical to the economic growth of northern Ontario. These industries often rely on energy-intensive operations, and the carbon tax adds an additional financial strain on their businesses. These small, northern businesses provide meaningful employment to their communities and put food on the table for many families.

Speaker, you would think that the NDP and Liberals would all be for reducing the cost of doing business and unleashing local economies close to their ridings. But, instead, they would rather sit on their hands and on the sidelines while a costly coalition puts more strain on northern Ontario.

Thanks to this Premier, the Minister of Mines, this Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry and the Minister of Northern Development, northern Ontario businesses have been given the support they need to thrive. This is despite Ottawa’s best efforts to increase the price of doing business in the north.

Speaker, the carbon tax is being felt in small businesses in the manufacturing and mining sector, where businesses rely on energy-intensive processes to produce goods. And for forestry and logging businesses, the carbon tax adds to their operational costs, making it even more challenging for these businesses to sustain their operations and contribute to the regional economy.

Speaker, this government has been clear from day one: We call on the federal government to do what’s right for our businesses, our economy and our communities. Scrap the tax now.