My question is for the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport. The Liberal carbon tax is driving up the cost of everyday essentials and making life unaffordable for Ontarians. With summer fast approaching, many families are looking forward to taking some time off and exploring our province with their loved ones, but the carbon tax continues to wreak havoc on our economy, including our cherished and world-class tourism sector.

Just last week, Bonnie Crombie’s federal cousins suggested that the cost of a family road trip is akin to letting the planet burn. It is shocking to hear how out of touch the Liberals are with Ontario families.

Speaker, could the minister please tell the House how the federal Liberal carbon tax is impacting summer plans for Ontarians?

Speaker, it’s perplexing how the Liberals and NDP can ignore the heavy burden the carbon tax puts on families. Every day, we hear more about how people are struggling with the increasing cost of basic necessities. Parents taking their kids to hockey practice or on a road trip are now paying more at the gas pump. That’s not right. Ontarians deserve to enjoy the summer season with their loved ones and explore our province without worrying about extra costs.

Speaker, could the parliamentary assistant please explain to the House what our government is doing to get people on the road and support summer tourism?

I want to thank the member for Mississauga–Erin Mills for his leadership on ensuring that we have a strong tourism sector here in the province of Ontario.

But I have to tell you, Speaker, when I heard that the Liberal members of Parliament were saying that people shouldn’t be going on road trips this summer, my jaw hit the floor. And I’ll tell you right now, when we talk to the people of Ontario, we know that they want to get out there, and they want to hit the road, but I’m thinking that right now the federal Liberals should be hitting the road, too, because when you look at the fact that we have a long tradition here in Ontario of people being able to get out and enjoy small towns and big cities across this province, whether you’re going up to Kenora, whether you’re stopping by Lanark county, whether you’re visiting Kingsville, we know that the people of Ontario have the right to be able to enjoy those opportunities.

We, unlike the federal Liberals, believe in the rights of the people of Ontario to go out, enjoy a road trip and ensure that they’re spending a little bit of money on the road as well to support our local businesses. So we’re going to continue to cut costs for those families and encourage them to be able to get out, make a road trip.

Come down to Niagara. We’d love to have you.