Debates of Sept. 20th, 2022

Taxation

[Melissa Lantsman, Conservative, Thornhill, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the Liberal carbon tax is up 25% to $50 a ton. It does not just increase the cost of gas; it increases the cost of everything for Canadian families. Many Canadians pay more in carbon taxes than they get in tax rebates. Worse, the Liberals miss their targets, and by a lot. Inflation is out of control and Canadians are struggling, and the Liberal plan is to triple the carbon tax.

Will the government cancel its planned tax hikes, yes or no?

[Terry Duguid, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change]

Mr. Speaker, we are fighting climate change, and we are delivering on affordability.

The hon. member will recall that the Parliamentary Budget Officer has confirmed that the price on pollution will put more money in people's pockets. Eight out of 10 families will get more back than they pay, through the climate action incentive. This year, I would remind the hon. member that a family of four will receive up to $745 in Ontario, $830 in Manitoba and $1,100 each in Saskatchewan and Alberta.

We are fostering affordability and fighting climate change.

[Melissa Lantsman, Conservative, Thornhill, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the Parliamentary Budget Officer says that 60% of households in Ontario, in Alberta, in Saskatchewan and in Manitoba pay more than they get back.

It started at $30 a ton. Then it was $40 a ton. Now it is $50 a ton, and the Liberals are on track to triple it to $170 a ton. Emissions have gone up. The price of everything has also gone up.

I will ask again. When do the Liberals plan to step out of fantasy land, join us in the real world and admit that their plan to triple the carbon tax is wrong?

[Terry Duguid, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change]

Mr. Speaker, we know that climate change and the cost of inaction is absolutely enormous. We have been experiencing climate impacts all over the country, and we have a practical and affordable way to reduce pollution.

While the Conservatives want to make pollution free again, we are reducing pollution. We are putting more money in people's pockets, and we are building the clean economy of the future.

[Scott Aitchison, Conservative, Parry Sound—Muskoka, ON]

Mr. Speaker, thanks to the ever-increasing Liberal carbon tax I am receiving messages from Canadians across this country who are wondering how they are going to heat their homes and eat this winter. Now the Liberals are coming after workers' paycheques, with CPP and EI increases.

Canadians cannot afford to have the government take any more of their money. They are desperate for relief from the high-tax Liberal agenda. It is a simple choice. Will the Liberals continue to punish hard-working Canadians, or will they finally stop inflicting the pain and cancel their tax hikes?

[Terry Duguid, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change]

Mr. Speaker, we have all heard the Leader of the Opposition's calls for freedom. I hope that the hon. member did not mean the freedom to pollute.

While Conservatives want to make pollution free again, we are reducing pollution, putting more money in people's pockets, and creating a clean economy and good, clean jobs.

[Pierre Paul-Hus, Conservative, Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC]

Mr. Speaker, in 2015, the Prime Minister's decisions hurt Canadians' personal finances. For example, he said he cut income tax, but in the same breath, he did away with the children's fitness tax credit and income splitting. He also promised to eliminate interest on student loans, but now he is going to increase it.

Will the Prime Minister promise not to raise taxes?

[Karina Gould, Liberal, Minister of Families]

Mr. Speaker, this year, we signed 13 agreements with the provinces and territories to lower the cost of child care across the country. That means putting thousands of dollars back in the pockets of parents so they can give their children what they need, cover the high cost of living and buy the things they need.

Our agreement is helping families. That is great, and that is what we will keep doing.

[Pierre Paul-Hus, Conservative, Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC]

Mr. Speaker, before the pandemic even began, this Prime Minister was spending like no other prime minister in Canadian history. His out-of-control spending has led to record high inflation. Now Canadians are paying exorbitant prices for products and services.

Just to add fuel to the fire, he also plans to further increase the carbon tax. Canadians already cannot afford to put gas in their cars or feed their families, let alone dream of buying a house one day.

Will the Prime Minister promise not to raise taxes?

[Randy Boissonnault, Liberal, Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance]

Mr. Speaker, just today we introduced in the House two bills that will make life more affordable for Canadians. Specifically, we are providing a new dental plan for Canadians, topping up the housing benefit and doubling the GST/HST credit. This is in addition to all the measures in the 2022 budget.

We are here to support Canadians. That is exactly what we are going to do.

[Tim Uppal, Conservative, Edmonton Mill Woods, AB]

Mr. Speaker, Canadians are already struggling to keep up with the record-high cost of living expenses caused by the current government's out-of-control spending, high-risk economic policies and painful interest rate hikes. Many are forced to use credit cards and to take out loans just to pay their bills and feed their families. In fact, new CPI data shows that grocery prices have risen by over 10%. That is a 40-year high. Canadians cannot afford the Liberals' risky economic policies.

Will the government commit to cancelling its planned tax hikes on Canadians?

[Randy Boissonnault, Liberal, Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance]

Mr. Speaker, let us be really clear. The riskiest advice that anybody in the House of Commons has given Canadians over the last six weeks was to put their money into Bitcoin. Had Canadians done that, they would have lost their shirts. They would have destroyed their own personal finances.

Our plan is a real plan that will help make life more affordable: $1,160 for single mothers, $700 for single seniors and $1,401 for couples with two children. That is just the GST tax credit increase for Canadians we are talking about. That side can support us and do right by Canadians.

Employment Insurance

[Louise Chabot, Bloc, Thérèse-De Blainville, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the day we have been fearing for months is upon us. The temporary EI measures will end on September 25. The minister has yet to present a comprehensive reform of the system. Workers will fall right back into the EI gap as the system reverts to the status quo, leaving six in 10 workers behind. That is not an option.

September 25 is in five days. The minister needs to get moving. Does she at least plan to renew the temporary measures in the meantime?

[Carla Qualtrough, Liberal, Minister of Employment]

Mr. Speaker, during the pandemic, we put in place temporary EI measures to help address the extraordinary economic circumstances at the time: shutdowns, lockdowns, job losses. We continue to move forward with our economic policies that focus on addressing labour shortages and that focus on making sure Canadians have money in their pockets, such as the one-time increase in the GST credit and the dental care program.

Workers continue to have access to EI. Workers who are currently on EI are not impacted by anything, moving forward. We are winding down COVID measures, but I can assure every worker in Canada that they still have access to EI.

[Louise Chabot, Bloc, Thérèse-De Blainville, QC]

Mr. Speaker, that is not true, and it is a shame that we are forced to demand that the government renew the temporary measures because the minister did not do her job. She needs to completely overhaul EI. She was mandated by the Prime Minister himself. It is clearly set out in her mandate letter. Not only must the minister present a plan, but she was also meant to implement reforms by summer 2022. Summer 2022 is over and the minister has once again shown up empty-handed.

When will she present a comprehensive EI reform?

[Carla Qualtrough, Liberal, Minister of Employment]

Mr. Speaker, in recognition of the fact that seasonal workers are still struggling, we are extending the seasonal worker pilot to make sure that we address the black hole. We are committed to modernizing the EI system. We are working very hard, through the consultations, to make sure stakeholders have a say. Workers, unions and businesses, everybody is at the table. I have committed to putting forth this vision by the end of this year and we will do just that.

[Louise Chabot, Bloc, Thérèse-De Blainville, QC]

Mr. Speaker, what will it take for the minister to make serious reforms to EI?

Workers' groups have been consulted. There have been two consultations, so the problems and solutions have been identified.

The minister has a mandate, so what more will it take? Why is she abandoning workers?

[Carla Qualtrough, Liberal, Minister of Employment]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to remind everybody in the House of our commitment to extend EI sickness benefits from 15 to 26 weeks. That will be in place by the end of the year. By the end of this year, workers will have access to 26 weeks of EI sickness benefits.

Taxation

[Clifford Small, Conservative, Coast of Bays—Central—Notre Dame, NL]

Mr. Speaker, energy poverty in Atlantic Canada is at nearly 40%, the highest in the country. Newfoundland and Labrador's Liberal premier is begging the Prime Minister not to put a carbon tax on home heating fuel, which will drive up heating costs by 20%. Winter is coming. Seniors will need to choose between food on the table or a warm home.

Will the government pledge to cancel its planned tax hikes on my province's workers and seniors today?

[Terry Duguid, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change]

Mr. Speaker, our government understands the affordability concerns faced by Atlantic Canadians, which is why the federal system is designed to put money back into the pockets of families. If the federal system is applied in the provinces of Newfoundland and Nova Scotia, we will ensure they receive the climate action incentive payments via quarterly cheques, which will be in the mail in October.

We remain committed to working in a collaborative and productive way with provincial counterparts to fight climate change while making life more affordable for Canadian families.

[Clifford Small, Conservative, Coast of Bays—Central—Notre Dame, NL]

Mr. Speaker, Cory from Gander, and many more like him, are not too impressed with that answer. Does the minister get it? Last year, Cory spent $4,000 on oil to heat his home. The Liberal carbon tax will add $700 to his annual heating bill. Cory considers himself middle class, but with these inflationary tax increases he is worried about paying his bills.

I again ask this on behalf of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, many of whom voted for the current Prime Minister: Will he choose not to hurt them and cancel these planned tax hikes?

[Julie Dabrusin, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources and to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change]

Mr. Speaker, we hear Canadians in Atlantic Canada and the issues they have raised with respect to the cost of oil heating, which is why just last week we announced a special program for Atlantic Canada in particular to help them transition from oil to renewable energies and have cleaner, cheaper ways to heat their homes. We are there to support Canadians. We are there to support Atlantic Canadians.

[Rick Perkins, Conservative, South Shore—St. Margarets, NS]

Mr. Speaker, the minister does not know that the program only covers 3% of the people in Atlantic Canada. What are the other 97% supposed to do? Nova Scotia has surpassed the 2030 carbon reduction emission targets and will reach net zero by 2050 without a carbon tax. Nova Scotia is getting results with technology, not taxes. Why let outcomes drive the government's policy when it can increase taxes? The carbon tax will add 14¢ more a litre to home heating fuel when 40% of Atlantic Canadians are experiencing energy poverty.

Will the Liberals listen to Premier Houston, implement his plan and commit to not imposing the ineffective carbon tax?

[Julie Dabrusin, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources and to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change]

Mr. Speaker, we have been there consistently to support Canadians as we transition to more affordable forms of energy for our homes. As I mentioned, just last week we announced a program that highlights supports for Atlantic Canada. More than that, we are working with the provinces, including Nova Scotia and those in Atlantic Canada, on ways we can provide affordable clean energy. We are there. We will continue working with our provinces, including Atlantic Canada specifically. We are focused on that.

[Rick Perkins, Conservative, South Shore—St. Margarets, NS]

Mr. Speaker, obviously the motto of the current government is fighting affordability. The Atlantic premiers are not being listened to. They are beating the government's targets, but it will not listen. Why will the current government not listen? Is it because it just wants more tax revenue and more money in the bank to spend on useless programs? When will it commit to not increasing taxes?