Since December 2019, there has been a crackdown on Algerian citizens, specifically Kabyles, who have been arbitrarily arrested for publicly expressing their political opinions. Human rights organizations have identified more than 500 people unjustly imprisoned in Algeria on the basis of false allegations of membership in a terrorist organization, since the pacifist Movement for the Self-Determination of Kabylia was wrongfully declared as such by the current Algerian government.

The petitioners are calling on the Government of Canada to condemn this arbitrary situation in Algeria as well as the equally arbitrary arrests and convictions of these hundreds of prisoners of conscience, particularly Kabyles, who are unjustly languishing in prison.

In closing, I want to congratulate Mr. Rachid Bandou, who officially started this petition.

Opposition Motion—Tax Increase on Beer, Wine and SpiritsBusiness of SupplyGovernment Orders

7:55 p.m.

Conservative

Andrew Scheer Conservative Regina—Qu'Appelle, SK

moved:

That, given that,

(i) the Liberal government is increasing taxes on beer, wine and spirits by 6.3% on April 1, 2023,

(ii) this is the largest tax increase on alcohol in the last 40 years,

(iii) the heads of eight different unions representing brewery workers across the country, who are nervous about their jobs, have written to the Minister of Finance calling for a freeze to the April 1, 2023 tax increase on beer, citing "a freeze on federal beer taxes is the single most important thing you can do for our workers and their families",

(iv) this tax increase will unfairly punish Canadians already struggling with increased costs due to 40-year inflation highs, and make it harder for Canadians to enjoy a drink after a long day's work, or while relaxing with friends or celebrating with their families,

It is great to finally get to this motion, which is very timely because in just a few days, the Liberal government, supported by its coalition partners in the NDP, is going to raise taxes on enjoying a nice drink after a long, hard day's work or when celebrating something with family or visiting with friends. All that is going to be even more expensive.

I am very pleased to split my time with my hon colleague from Niagara Falls.

I had a fairly lengthy speech prepared about this, but because the New Democrats, in order to cover up their shameful foot-dragging on forcing the Prime Minister's chief of staff to testify at committee in a desperate attempt to distract Canadians from what they were up to in backroom deals with their coalition partners, they have taken up a lot of time during the day. Therefore, I am actually going to cede the floor right now.

I know there is normally a question and comment period. I will not be able to stay for that, so we can move right on to the speech by my hon. colleague from Niagara Falls, who represents a lot of the hard-working grape growers and vintners, to finish with his remarks.

I would like to indicate that all Conservative members will be splitting their time throughout the rest of the debate today.

Opposition Motion—Tax Increase on Beer, Wine and SpiritsBusiness of SupplyGovernment Orders

7:55 p.m.

Liberal

Kevin Lamoureux Liberal Winnipeg North, MB

Madam Speaker, I am not sure if the member was speaking on the motion or if he had a point of order. I am a little unsure, because I thought he said he was splitting his time. If he was splitting his time, I do have a question for him.

Opposition Motion—Tax Increase on Beer, Wine and SpiritsBusiness of SupplyGovernment Orders

8 p.m.

Liberal

The Assistant Deputy Speaker (Mrs. Alexandra Mendès) Liberal Alexandra Mendes

The hon. member is going to leave the chamber, so there will not be time for questions and comments.

Resuming debate, the hon. member for Niagara Falls.

Opposition Motion—Tax Increase on Beer, Wine and SpiritsBusiness of SupplyGovernment Orders

8 p.m.

Conservative

Tony Baldinelli Conservative Niagara Falls, ON

Madam Speaker, Canadians work hard for their paycheques, and they earn every cent of their income. That is their money to spend or save as they see fit. It is not the government's money to take through tax-and-spend inflation. At least, that is the way we Conservatives see it, which is in stark contrast to the high-tax Liberal government, which craves more and more taxes to continue feeding and fuelling its record spending.

That is why today we Conservatives are calling on the Liberal government to cancel its massive 6.3% tax increase on beer, wine and spirits this April 1, to give relief to middle-class Canadians and those seeking to join them. Canadians do not want to be taxed more. They want to be taxed less.

Another frustrating element to this is that the Liberal government acknowledges and knows that the finances and personal savings of Canadians are under attack, but what it fails to acknowledge or realize is that it is the very driver of this problem and a big reason why Canadians are suffering. It is the big taxer and the reason why inflation remains far above the 2% target range the Bank of Canada is trying to achieve.

Even non-partisan experts have said that the government's policies have led to the inflationary problems we are facing today. Both the current and former governors of the Bank of Canada have recently spoken up. Last month, Tiff Macklem said, “inflation in Canada increasingly reflects what's happening in Canada”, and Mark Carney said, “Really [now] inflation is principally a domestic story”.

Also frustrating is the fact that this escalator tax is automatically set to increase every year without Parliament getting a vote. It is undemocratic and unfair, particularly in respect to a matter of taxation. The power to stop this tax rests solely in the hands of the government, and Conservatives on this side of the aisle are demanding today that the government cancel this tax before it is hiked by 6.3% on April 1, which is just 10 days away.

Locally, across Niagara, this alcohol escalator tax will punish many wineries, craft breweries and distilleries, as well as anyone who enjoys consuming these wonderfully made Canadian products while visiting Niagara, which is the number one leisure tourism destination in all of Canada. Further, what many Canadians already know is that these alcoholic beverages are already taxed at incredibly high rates.

A January 2023 opinion piece, published by the St. Catharines Standard and penned by Franco Terrazzano, who is the federal director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, states, “Taxes already account for about half of the price of beer, 65 per cent of the price of wine and more than three-quarters of the price of spirits. You could spend about $125 if you pick up two bottles of wine, a 24-pack of beer and a 26-ounce bottle of whisky” and more than $76 of that would go to paying just the taxes. He continues, “In fact, Canadians pay so much tax that picking up a case of beer on the way to a party in Prince Edward Island would cost you more in taxes than the total retail price of a case of beer in 25 American states.”

Members can think about that for a moment. Now the Liberal government is going to slap a new tax of 6.3% on top of all those taxes people are already paying for our expensive alcoholic products without any parliamentary approval. It is no wonder that, through these tax measures, the price of alcohol and meals in stores and restaurants is going up. As a result, the savings in our bank accounts are going down.

This does not take into account the negative aspects these tax policies are having on those hard-working Canadians who are employed in the hospitality sector, and those who work in the wineries, distilleries and breweries throughout our country.

A recent article published in the Toronto Star, by Manuela Vega, said it best when she reported, “Restaurants Canada, a national, not-for-profit association representing the country’s food service industry is calling on the federal government to freeze the duty, saying in a tweet that 'the restaurant sector cannot absorb another federal tax increase at this vulnerable time.'”

Her article went on to highlight the comments from the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, which indicated, “It's time to freeze alcohol taxes to protect 150k Canadian jobs connected to making and selling beer.” It is the government's job to create the conditions so businesses can flourish and generate the jobs, wealth and prosperity needed by Canadians to go about their daily lives, and to try to get ahead.

Instead, after eight years of the Liberal government, Canadians pay more today for their goods and services, and they are getting less. Groceries, gas, home heating and more are getting more expensive by the day because of these reckless Liberal spending habits. There are direct consequences that come as a result of the Liberal government recklessly spending the cupboards bare.

Will the government be able to live up to the expectations it set out in its new federal tourism growth strategy? The tourism minister has spent the last several months asking the industry to think big on ideas to expedite economic recovery from the devastating impacts of COVID-19.

However, fear is now beginning to grow in the tourism community that the Liberal government is once again failing to understand that the industry is still in recovery mode. It appears that, once again, the Liberal government is setting itself up to over-promise and under-deliver. This is a great shame for tourism communities across the country, such as mine in Niagara, which welcomes visitors from throughout the world.

What is to happen to the wine sector support program, which was put in place because of the Liberal government's ineptitude on trade policy? The two-year, $166-million program has ended. The industry has asked for it to be extended, yet there have been no updates about its renewal. Last year's budget showed that the government would raise $390 million over five years in new revenue by now applying the excise tax to 100% Canadian-made wines. Where are those funds going?

After eight years of the Liberal government, Canadians' paycheques and life savings are under attack by the big, bloated and tired Liberal government, and its high taxes and reckless spending, which have only driven up inflation. After eight years of the Liberals' recklessness, Canadians have to work harder, work longer and even work multiple jobs just to take home lower earnings to get by.

After eight years of this disastrous Liberal government, Canadians could be forgiven for wanting to have a drink. On April 1, it will be 6.3% more expensive. Canadians do not want another big Liberal tax. Canadians want change, and that starts with the House of Commons agreeing with our Conservative motion to cancel the Liberal government's April 1 tax increase on wine, beer and spirits.

Opposition Motion—Tax Increase on Beer, Wine and SpiritsBusiness of SupplyGovernment Orders

8:05 p.m.

Winnipeg North Manitoba

Liberal

Kevin Lamoureux LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons

Madam Speaker, I am glad the member is still around for my question. I would—

Opposition Motion—Tax Increase on Beer, Wine and SpiritsBusiness of SupplyGovernment Orders

8:05 p.m.

Liberal

The Assistant Deputy Speaker (Mrs. Alexandra Mendès) Liberal Alexandra Mendes

The hon. member knows we do not mention the presence or absence of a member in the House.

The hon. parliamentary secretary.

Opposition Motion—Tax Increase on Beer, Wine and SpiritsBusiness of SupplyGovernment Orders

8:05 p.m.

Liberal

Kevin Lamoureux Liberal Winnipeg North, MB

Madam Speaker, thank you for the corrective comment. I withdraw the comment.

I am really curious about something, given the Conservative appetite to ratchet up this particular issue. When was the first time the member opposite raised this issue with either the Minister of Finance, the Prime Minister or any minister of the government?

Opposition Motion—Tax Increase on Beer, Wine and SpiritsBusiness of SupplyGovernment Orders

8:05 p.m.

Conservative

Tony Baldinelli Conservative Niagara Falls, ON

Madam Speaker, when I was elected, the first issue that I spoke to, and the first question I asked in the House of Commons, had to do with the WTO challenge that Australia brought about because of the escalator tax and its impact on the Canadian wine sector. The government failed to act. We told the government in 2017 not to act on putting forward that escalator tax. It did so, and it did so to the detriment of the Canadian wine sector. It is now paying the price.

Opposition Motion—Tax Increase on Beer, Wine and SpiritsBusiness of SupplyGovernment Orders

8:10 p.m.

Bloc

Sébastien Lemire Bloc Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC

Madam Speaker, this also affects the survival of our microbreweries. It is important to people living in Quebec as it affects the prosperity of our towns and villages. What are the members' thoughts on the survival of these microbreweries?

In the context of inflation, providing direct assistance might be more impactful than cutting the excise tax, which would do very little.

Opposition Motion—Tax Increase on Beer, Wine and SpiritsBusiness of SupplyGovernment Orders

8:10 p.m.

Conservative

Tony Baldinelli Conservative Niagara Falls, ON

Madam Speaker, speaking about breweries, for example, Canadian brewers directly employ over 20,000 Canadian workers, many in unionized positions with an average compensation nearing $40 per hour. That is according to Statistics Canada. What are we doing by putting disincentives to their products being sold and putting their jobs at jeopardy? That helps nobody. We want to create an environment that creates jobs.

Why is the government continuing to tax Canadians when they need relief?

Opposition Motion—Tax Increase on Beer, Wine and SpiritsBusiness of SupplyGovernment Orders

8:10 p.m.

NDP

Richard Cannings NDP South Okanagan—West Kootenay, BC

Madam Speaker, the member for Niagara Falls mentioned the wine industry and the impacts on it. Many wineries never had to pay an excise tax in Canada, but because of the actions of Australia and the WTO, Canada's government backed down and took away that exemption, and now those wineries suddenly have to pay a tax they never had a business case for.

I will let the member finish on that, because I know he can speak for hours on the subject, and he has maybe a minute or so. I would ask the member to please expand on that, because it really affects the wineries in my region as well.

Opposition Motion—Tax Increase on Beer, Wine and SpiritsBusiness of SupplyGovernment Orders

8:10 p.m.

Conservative

Tony Baldinelli Conservative Niagara Falls, ON

Madam Speaker, my colleague and I may disagree on other politics, but the one thing we can agree is that 100% Canadian-made wines are to the benefit of everyone throughout this country.

When the Conservatives were in power in 2006, they implemented an excise exemption for 100% Canadian-made wines. The sector grew from 300 wineries to over 700, employing 9,000 people. This new escalator tax puts those jobs at risk. The margins in the wine sector, as the member will know, are very slim. Why is the government putting those jobs at risk?

There is a replacement program. The government is going to be generating $390 million because of this new excise tax being applied to Canadian wines, and the government cannot assure the industry that those funds are for it. What are they going to do? Where is that $390 million going? That is what we want to know.

Opposition Motion—Tax Increase on Beer, Wine and SpiritsBusiness of SupplyGovernment Orders

March 22nd, 2023 / 8:10 p.m.

Conservative

Robert Gordon Kitchen Conservative Souris—Moose Mountain, SK

Madam Speaker, I suspect my colleague from Niagara Falls, like the rest of us, has received hundreds to thousands of emails from his constituents about the tax coming into place as of April 1, and these escalating taxes are going to be on top of the carbon tax and on top of a tax upon a tax. In my riding, at the regional college, they are looking at doing a brewmaster program to further enhance this great industry.

I am wondering if my colleague would mention how his constituents are feeling about the huge impact this tax will have on them.

Opposition Motion—Tax Increase on Beer, Wine and SpiritsBusiness of SupplyGovernment Orders

8:10 p.m.

Conservative

Tony Baldinelli Conservative Niagara Falls, ON

Madam Speaker, it is going to have a tremendous impact. I probably have the largest number of wineries and grape growers in the country, as well as the largest manufacturing plant in the country, with Arterra. Now I am just bragging, but I have a lot to brag about. I would like to thank—