Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you to my colleague for introducing this important motion.
This is a very serious matter. First nations are challenging the Prime Minister's carbon tax in Federal Court because the Liberal government refused to listen to their concerns. First nations are opposing the carbon tax because it's unaffordable. That's the truth. The Liberals are proud of their carbon tax. They pretend it's working and affordable when it's not.
If the Liberals refuse to listen to my concerns about the carbon tax, maybe they will have the decency to listen to the chiefs of Ontario. Grand Chief Benedict has stated, “Canada should be working with us to confront the climate crisis and close gaps on reserve instead of creating policy in an ivory tower that exacerbates the affordability issues our citizens face”. Those are the words of the grand chief, not mine.
Last week, the Conservatives introduced a motion to hear the carbon tax concerns of first nations, but the Liberals abruptly shut down debate. I wonder what the chiefs of Ontario and Grand Chief Benedict think. Here's the reality: The Liberals don't want to hear from the first nations that oppose the carbon tax. They don't want to hear from the first nations that challenge the carbon tax in court, and they don't want to hear from the first nations that expose how costly their carbon tax is.
The people in rural, remote and northern regions can no longer afford this Liberal government's carbon tax.
Thank you, Mr. Chair.