House of Commons Hansard #6 of the 43rd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was need.

Topics

The EconomyAdjournment Proceedings

7:25 p.m.

Liberal

Terry Duguid Liberal Winnipeg South, MB

Mr. Speaker, I recognize the hon. member's passion for her province, her community and her constituents. I applaud her for that.

I want to assure her of our government's support for Albertans. We recognize Albertans want to use their own resourcefulness and talents to grow and diversify the western economy and indeed the Canadian economy. The investments made and the partnerships created by WD continue to move the Alberta economy forward, especially during tough economic times.

This government has not and will not stop innovating and finding new ways to create Alberta success stories with Alberta businesses and entrepreneurs. Our government is listening and we are taking action.

The EconomyAdjournment Proceedings

7:25 p.m.

Conservative

The Deputy Speaker Conservative Bruce Stanton

I will advise hon. members that during adjournment debates, much as in committee of the whole, members are able to sit in the seat of their choice and will be properly recognized. For the adjournment debate, they do not have to be in the seat they are usually in.

The hon. member for Northumberland—Peterborough South.

The EnvironmentAdjournment Proceedings

7:25 p.m.

Conservative

Philip Lawrence Conservative Northumberland—Peterborough South, ON

Mr. Speaker, I am going to take this opportunity to thank the people who have put me in this seat. I thank my volunteers, my family and my campaign team. I specifically thank my wife, who sacrificed so much for me to be here. I really appreciate it.

I would also thank my two best canvassers. I had a gentleman by the name of Jerry Steadman. He was 74 years old and knocked on over 10,000 doors for me. My second-best canvasser was at the other end of the age spectrum. He was six years old and happens to be my son. I am not sure how many members have had the opportunity to door knock with someone like James, but it was a different opportunity. NDP and Green supporters would invite me into their homes, give my child chocolate bars and offer their support. To James and Jerry I offer great thanks.

I will mention a couple of issues going on in my constituency right now.

My constituency borders the wonderful waters of Lake Ontario. Along that shoreline the water is very high, and people are afraid, as the spring comes, that what happened the last couple of years will repeat: extreme flooding and property damage. I will continue to advocate for them and am concerned for them.

The other issue my constituents are worried about is rural Internet. Our children's ability to learn is impeded by slow Internet speed. Businesses' progress and success in rural Ontario are being impeded because we do not have the Internet speed necessary for a modern business environment.

With that, I will get to my question. Last Friday, the government accepted Alberta's environmental plan. While the Prime Minister committed in the throne speech to working with other provinces, the good people of Ontario are still left waiting. Ontario has a balanced approach to the environment, promoting jobs and leading our country in job creation over the last couple of months, while also reducing emissions. Ontario is a national leader in greenhouse gas emission reductions.

When will the Liberals stop playing games and give Ontario an answer? Will it be in a day, will it be in a month, will it be in a year or at any time on the space-time continuum?

The EnvironmentAdjournment Proceedings

7:30 p.m.

Peter Schiefke Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Lib.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to begin by thanking all the people of Vaudreuil—Soulanges for granting me a second mandate in the House of Commons. I am eager to work hard for them in the months and years to come.

I would also like to congratulate my colleague from Northumberland—Peterborough South for having won his election.

The vast majority of Canadians voted for climate action in this past election, and our government is committed to moving forward with measures that will reduce our emissions and grow a clean economy. I look forward to working with all members in this place as we identify and move forward with solutions to tackle climate change. The Speech from the Throne made it very clear that our government will work with provinces and territories to find solutions, especially when it comes to climate change. Why? It is because Canadians are already feeling the impacts of climate change, from wildfires in the west to extreme flooding in the east. The costs of climate change are growing. I know this all too well, representing a riding that has experienced record flooding two out of the last three years.

Canadians know that we need to act. They want ambitious climate action. They want us to work together to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and build a strong, low-carbon economy, and so do we. Canadians also recognize that when it is free to pollute, there will be more of it. That is why they support a price on carbon pollution. A growing number of governments and experts understand that carbon pricing is one of the most effective tools we have for tackling climate change and growing the clean economy. It incents Canadians to make clean choices, it helps to reduce emissions and it stimulates investments in climate action, including adaptation and clean innovation. That is why pricing carbon pollution is an essential part of our climate plan. The climate plan we developed with the provinces and territories offers them the flexibility to price carbon pollution in a way that makes sense for their circumstances. It also establishes a common standard to ensure that those plans are straight, stringent and effective, because establishing minimum national standards is integral to reducing nationwide greenhouse gas emissions.

We have worked hard to develop a price on carbon pollution pricing system that is practical and affordable, and that ensures Canadians are better off. When carbon pollution pricing went into effect across Canada, we ensured that all proceeds would be returned to the jurisdiction of origin. In fact, in the provinces and territories where the federal carbon pricing system is in place, such as Ontario, most families are getting more than they pay. This year, for example, an Ontario family of four received about $307 through the climate action incentive. Our plan demonstrates that we can tackle climate change, while at the same time leaving families better off.

As part of our plan, we also have an annual benchmarking assessment process. We asked the provinces and territories to provide information on their carbon pricing systems to determine whether they meet the federal standard. We have received Ontario's proposal to implement its own provincial carbon pollution pricing system for heavy industry, and we are assessing that proposal.

One of our priorities in putting a price on carbon pollution has been ensuring stability and certainty for businesses and investors. This ensures businesses can plan for the future. That is why the federal benchmark lays out a path for carbon pricing until 2022, and that is why we take any changes to the system for industrial emitters very seriously. The federal carbon pollution pricing system is in place in Ontario, and it is working. We are looking at Ontario's proposal, but we are doing our due diligence to make sure that carbon pricing remains stringent and effective.

We will continue to work with all jurisdictions, businesses, and indigenous peoples to advance the climate action Canadians expect.

The EnvironmentAdjournment Proceedings

7:30 p.m.

Conservative

Philip Lawrence Conservative Northumberland—Peterborough South, ON

Mr. Speaker, I have yet to receive an answer to my question, which was for a deadline. Will it be a month, a year, six months? I think it is a fairly simple question.

There is another question that I would put to the member. The Parliamentary Budget Office, the Green Party and others would agree with me in saying the carbon tax is not effective at current rates. We would say from this side that we should invest in technology and global investments that will actually affect the global problem. They would say that we would need to double, triple or quadruple the carbon tax.

Will the Liberal government be increasing the carbon tax?

The EnvironmentAdjournment Proceedings

7:35 p.m.

Liberal

Peter Schiefke Liberal Vaudreuil—Soulanges, QC

Mr. Speaker, I will reiterate. We worked with provinces, territories and indigenous communities and businesses for two years to develop an approach to carbon pricing that worked for the different regions in our vast country. We have worked to ensure that it would be fair, effective and meet minimum stringency requirements.

In response to my hon. colleague's question, we will review the Government of Ontario's proposal, alongside the proposals of other provinces and territories, as quickly as possible. Protecting the environment and growing the economy go together. We will continue to work with provinces and territories to advance climate action while supporting good local jobs and making life more affordable for families.

The EnvironmentAdjournment Proceedings

7:35 p.m.

Conservative

The Deputy Speaker Conservative Bruce Stanton

The motion that the House do now adjourn is deemed to have been adopted. Accordingly the House stands adjourned until tomorrow at 10 a.m. pursuant to Standing Order 24(1).

(The House adjourned at 7:36 p.m.)