Mr. Speaker, Canadians everywhere have been asked repeatedly by this government to make sacrifices for the sake of our country's economic recovery. Families have had to lower expectations and communities have had to do more with less.
At the same time, it is not just business as usual for giant oil companies, it is business better than usual. 1994 saw these companies receive more than $743 million in direct federal grants and $2.1 billion in tax breaks. Imperial Oil profits are going to triple this year at the same time as Canadians are paying record prices at the pumps.
A responsible government would act to protect its citizens from this kind of blatant and economically stifling greed but nothing has so far been forthcoming.
In the absence of government leadership, New Democrats are joining consumers in our communities in a boycott commencing today of Imperial Oil which operates ESSO stations. I commend all those leading and participating in this consumer action. When ESSO responds, so will consumers.
By hitting this corporate giant in its pocketbook, consumers and citizens will show leadership that the federal government-