I'm offering very direct “yes” and “no” answers, instead of trying to rag the puck.
Mr. Chair, what I'm trying to articulate here is that I agree with the majority of Canadians that punishing people for simply living normal lives, for driving to work, filling up their gas tanks, heating their homes, running their small businesses and non-profits, is not justifiable. It is not an effective environmental strategy.
I wish the proponents of these taxes, around this table and on the government side, would be honest and forthcoming and have the courage of their convictions and admit that what they want is a carbon tax in the range of $300 a tonne, which would have a massive effect on people's disposable incomes and the cost of living.