Debates of Dec. 7th, 2023

Carbon Pricing

[Diane Lebouthillier, Liberal, Minister of Fisheries]

Mr. Speaker, I expected no better from the Conservatives, who, in 2023, have opposed workers' rights and spread disinformation about housing.

They deny climate change. They want to reopen the abortion debate with Bill C‑311. They are betraying Ukraine. The one idea they had this year would financially harm eight out of 10 families. They are turning their backs on future generations when it comes to climate change. It is shameful.

[Joël Godin, Conservative, Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I invite the minister to leave the Magdalen Islands and head to the streets of Montreal. The great media food drive is taking place today.

The people on street corners soliciting donations because food banks are overwhelmed, are they okay? Does this government realize how desperate—

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

Order.

The hon. member for Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier can start his question from the beginning.

[Joël Godin, Conservative, Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I suggested that the minister leave the Magdalen Islands and head to the streets of Montreal. The great media food drive is taking place today. People are on street corners soliciting donations because food banks are overwhelmed. Does this government realize how desperate people are, and will it listen to reason?

A family of four will pay $700 more for groceries next year. Instead of piling even more taxes on Canadians, with the help of the Bloc Québécois, can this government show some compassion and scrap the carbon tax in order to give Canadian farmers and families some breathing room?

[Diane Lebouthillier, Liberal, Minister of Fisheries]

Mr. Speaker, it is absolutely disgraceful to speak that way about the people of the Magdalen Islands. They survived Dorian and they survived Fiona. He should be ashamed for badmouthing the people in the regions.

Shame on them—

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

Order.

The hon. member for Lac-Saint-Jean.

Border Security

[Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Bloc, Lac-Saint-Jean, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I hope that the member for Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier is not planning a vacation on the Islands next summer.

Despite the human trafficking rings that are active at the Canadian border, the criminal networks that are run by Mexican cartels and the thieves who exploit vulnerable people to smuggle them across Canada's porous borders, the RCMP plans to reduce its border staff, as reported by CBC/Radio-Canada.

While the Minister of Public Safety promises to increase the number of officers, the RCMP could possibly be reducing its personnel by up to 25%. It is difficult to imagine a more half-baked decision than that.

Will the minister—

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

The hon. Minister of Public Safety.

[Dominic LeBlanc, Liberal, Minister of Public Safety]

Mr. Speaker, we obviously share the concerns of all Canadians with respect to the integrity of our borders.

My colleague is suggesting that we are going to cut RCMP staff in “C” Division in Quebec to fight organized crime and secure our borders, but that is not quite true.

Since the closure of Roxham Road and the changes to the safe third country agreement, the RCMP has reallocated its resources to priorities like organized crime and border security.

Oil and Gas Industry

[Monique Pauzé, Bloc, Repentigny, QC]

Mr. Speaker, we have spent two years waiting for the Liberal plan to cap emissions in the fossil fuel industry. Our wait is not yet over.

The government has just announced a regulatory framework without any regulations. There is zero chance it will be adopted before 2025. Worse still, the emissions cap will not be in effect until 2030. Not only does this plan not require any reductions in oil production, it explicitly gives oil companies the flexibility to increase production. It is literally a licence to pollute until it is too late.

Who drafted this plan, the oil companies?

[Jonathan Wilkinson, Liberal, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources]

Mr. Speaker, the Bloc Québécois talks a lot about the importance of respecting provincial jurisdictions and fighting climate change. Today, we did just that. Today, Quebec's minister of the environment, the fight against climate change, wildlife and parks, Benoit Charette, said that he welcomed the announcement of a cap and trade system for the oil industry, and that it was a good day for the environment and the economy.

[Monique Pauzé, Bloc, Repentigny, QC]

Mr. Speaker, according to the International Energy Agency, emissions from the fossil fuel sector must be cut by 60% by 2030 if we want to meet the Paris targets. Today, the Liberals are content to ask for a mere 16% reduction relative to 2005. That is barely a quarter. What is more, it is at the discretion of the oil companies, because no cap will be imposed on them before 2030. The federal government's plan, then, is to beg oil companies to do just a quarter of what is needed. If they do not do so, what will happen? Nothing at all will happen.

How can the Liberals make this announcement with a straight face? Shame on them.

[Jonathan Wilkinson, Liberal, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources]

Mr. Speaker, Canada has put in place a very ambitious plan, perhaps the most detailed in the world, to combat climate change. Today, we announced the world's first cap on oil and gas sector emissions. We are leading the way in this sector, and in the world, to combat climate change in a way that ensures we will have a strong and prosperous economy in the future.

Carbon Pricing

[Shelby Kramp-Neuman, Conservative, Hastings—Lennox and Addington, ON]

Mr. Speaker, Canada's food report for 2024 revealed that Canadian families will have to pay roughly $700 more next year for groceries. Basic food staples such as meat, vegetables and baking goods will all increase 5% to 7%. Canadians cannot afford this. Rents are rising faster than wages for the first time in 60 years.

Will the Prime Minister, for once in his political life, listen to Canadians and axe the carbon tax for businesses, farmers, first nations and families for good?

[Jenna Sudds, Liberal, Minister of Families]

Mr. Speaker, when the member opposite talks about basics, I would like to point out the basic fact that, just yesterday, every member in the House, including every Conservative member, had the opportunity to support Canadian families and children by voting to support a national school food program. What did they do? Every single one of them voted against it.

On this side of the House, we will continue to support Canadian families.

[Shelby Kramp-Neuman, Conservative, Hastings—Lennox and Addington, ON]

Mr. Speaker, it is no wonder food bank usage and the need for food programs are exploding. It is because the Prime Minister's taxes are directly making food prices more expensive. The rising cost of everything is not sustainable for Canadians. After eight long years of the Prime Minister and his NDP enablers, families are forced to choose between paying rent or putting food on the table.

When will the tired Liberal-NDP government share some Christmas joy, axe the tax and deliver some relief for Canadians?

[Adam van Koeverden, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and to the Minister of Sport and Physical Activity]

Mr. Speaker, on this side of the House, we have solutions, not slogans, for fighting climate change and affordability.

I appreciate the question since it gives me the opportunity, on this side of House, to announce that, in the same week our government committed to a 75% reduction in methane emissions from oil and gas, as of today, we are the first oil and gas producing nation to put a cap on oil and gas emissions. On this side of the House, we have solutions, solutions for climate change and solutions for affordability.

When will the Conservatives admit that the only facts they have are those of wealthy oil executives?

[Dan Mazier, Conservative, Dauphin—Swan River—Neepawa, MB]

Mr. Speaker, after eight years, Canadians cannot afford to eat because of the Prime Minister's carbon tax. A new report shows that a family of four will pay $700 more next year on groceries. The Prime Minister had a chance to lower grocery bills by removing the carbon tax on farmers, but once again, he proved he is not worth the cost. The Prime Minister spent the weekend working to gut Bill C-234 to keep the carbon tax on.

Will the Prime Minister finally listen to Canadians and take the carbon tax off farmers, first nations and families?

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance]

Mr. Speaker, a UNICEF report released this month shows the truth, which is that child poverty in Canada is down 22% under our government. However, do members know who is driving up prices? It is Vladimir Putin. He is driving up the prices of fuel and food.

The member opposite has the privilege of representing a rural Manitoba constituency. It was Ukrainian Canadians who settled Canada's Prairies, and we owe it to the people of Ukraine to support them today and not betray Ukraine as the Conservatives have done.

Oil and Gas Industry

[Laurel Collins, NDP, Victoria, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the Liberals are patting themselves on the back for their botched emissions cap. After two years of delays, they have announced a watered-down oil and gas cap that will not even cut emissions enough to meet the Liberals' own target. It will only meet the Conservatives' old target, and these are the same Conservatives who do not even believe this is a crisis.

The Liberals are throwing young people's futures under the bus to make life easier for oil and gas companies. Will the minister get serious and fix the emissions cap?

[Jonathan Wilkinson, Liberal, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources]

Mr. Speaker, today was an important day. Canada became the first oil and gas producer in the world to put a cap on oil and gas emissions, and we are on a trajectory to reducing to net zero by 2050. It is important in our fight against climate change. It is important in ensuring the long-term competitiveness of the oil and gas sector as we decarbonize and ensure that the products we are producing are ultra low carbon.

Pembina today said that Canada “is showing leadership by getting the economy ready for a net-zero future.” Clean Energy Canada said that “Canada should be commended for putting in place the world's first national oil and gas emissions cap by a major fossil-fuel-producing country.” This—

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

The hon. member for Timmins—James Bay.

Indigenous Affairs

[Charlie Angus, NDP, Timmins—James Bay, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the people of Attawapiskat continue to suffer a brutal housing crisis. Now there are serious questions about their water supply, and with winter hitting hard, a crisis is looming.

We remember the winter of 2011 when Attawapiskat asked the Conservatives for help. The Conservatives falsely blamed them for ripping off taxpayers and then expelled a democratically elected council. However, under the Liberals, there has just been vague promises and no action.

As this winter hits, will the government send a team to assess the situation on the ground and help find a solution for the people of Attawapiskat?

[Patty Hajdu, Liberal, Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario]

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the member opposite for his unwavering advocacy for the people of Attawapiskat.

I have met extensively with chief and council and many members of Attawapiskat. Indeed, the department is working closely with the community to make sure they have the tools they need, and not just in the short term as winter bears down, but in the long term so that the community can move forward with their identified priorities.