Evidence of meeting #136 for Environment and Sustainable Development in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was tax.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Liberal
Leah Taylor Roy Liberal Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill, ON
Well, it's a clarification. I don't understand the question—
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia
I don't think he really has to clarify, but I don't know what....
Maybe—
Liberal
Leah Taylor Roy Liberal Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill, ON
Well, I don't know how the witness can answer either.
Liberal
December 2nd, 2024 / 12:45 p.m.
Conservative
Branden Leslie Conservative Portage—Lisgar, MB
Perhaps the witness could give the best response to that.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia
Well, okay, I stopped the time, but I'm going to start it up again.
I don't know. Maybe Mr. Drover wants to answer that question.
Atlantic Director and General Counsel, Canadian Taxpayers Federation
A tax is a tax is a tax, no matter what you call it, so the carbon levy is absolutely a tax. It drives up the price of an item. It's a tax.
Conservative
Branden Leslie Conservative Portage—Lisgar, MB
The minister refused to give a clear answer on whether or not he will stop at $170 per tonne in 2030. What do you think a continuing rise in carbon tax is going to do to Canadians' livelihoods?
Atlantic Director and General Counsel, Canadian Taxpayers Federation
Again, I think about my mother-in-law in rural Newfoundland and Labrador. If her gasoline price continues to increase, then obviously it will have a devastating effect.
Liberal
Liberal
Shafqat Ali Liberal Brampton Centre, ON
Thank you, Chair.
I think my colleague Leah Taylor Roy wants to ask a few questions. I'll share my time with her.
Leah, go ahead, please.
Liberal
Leah Taylor Roy Liberal Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill, ON
Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
I'd like to ask that we table section 36 from subdivision C of the price on pollution act so that we can clear up the confusion or the discrepancy about whether or not farm fuels are actually exempted. It's right in the legislation.
I think that would be useful to the conversation today, if that's acceptable.
Liberal
Leah Taylor Roy Liberal Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill, ON
Everybody has access to the legislation.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia
Okay. Are you making the point that it's in section 36 of the bill as it's come back to the House...?
Liberal
Leah Taylor Roy Liberal Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill, ON
No. This is in the act that's been passed on the price on pollution, talking about the carbon levy. It's the section that exempts farm fuels from the price on pollution.
Liberal
Liberal
Leah Taylor Roy Liberal Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill, ON
There seemed to be some confusion with Mr. Mazier that they're actually not exempted.
Liberal
Leah Taylor Roy Liberal Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill, ON
I just wanted to ensure that this was actually in there. Thank you.
The other point I'd like to make, just to correct the record, is that there is no carbon tax currently in Canada. There is a carbon levy under the price on pollution program that is in place. That has gone up consistently every year. It has not been quadrupled.
I do not understand what the other two carbon taxes are, so I would actually like to hear, at some point, what we're talking about in this—
Liberal
Leah Taylor Roy Liberal Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill, ON
No. I have no questions for Mr. Drover—oh, except perhaps you could tell me, Mr. Drover, your background in economics and pricing climate policies.
Atlantic Director and General Counsel, Canadian Taxpayers Federation
Sure. I have a bachelor of science in economics from Memorial University. Then I completed a law degree and a master's in business administration with a focus in public policy.