Debates of May 29th, 2023

Department of Finance—Main Estimates, 2023-24

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, University—Rosedale, ON]

Madam Chair, why did the Conservatives campaign on 170 bucks a tonne in 2021 and—

[The Deputy Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

The hon. member.

[Stephen Ellis, Conservative, Cumberland—Colchester, NS]

Madam Chair, the tidal energy project, which could have powered Atlantic Canada, has been cancelled by the Liberal government. Why has the clean energy-touting government cancelled it?

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, University—Rosedale, ON]

Madam Chair, our government has invested more in climate action than any previous Canadian government, and the investment is—

[The Deputy Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

The hon. member.

[Stephen Ellis, Conservative, Cumberland—Colchester, NS]

Madam Chair, once again, the tidal energy project was cancelled, cancelled, cancelled. Shame, shame, shame.

Why did the Liberal government cancel the tidal energy project?

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, University—Rosedale, ON]

Madam Chair, repeating words three times does not make them more true.

The reality is these Conservatives campaigned on a climate plan, they flip-flopped and now they have nothing to offer.

[Stephen Ellis, Conservative, Cumberland—Colchester, NS]

Madam Chair, not answering questions does not make them true either.

All four Atlantic premiers have requested the federal government delay the implementation of the carbon tax, and the finance minister has refused. Why?

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, University—Rosedale, ON]

Madam Chair, we are being asked questions by a member of Parliament from Nova Scotia. Nova Scotia is on fire right now.

[Stephen Ellis, Conservative, Cumberland—Colchester, NS]

Madam Chair, out of 63 countries, which place is Canada in, with respect to meeting climate change targets?

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, University—Rosedale, ON]

Madam Chair, emissions are down 9% compared to 2005. We are bending the curve. That is good news for Canada and Canadians, and it is—

[The Deputy Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

The hon. member.

[Stephen Ellis, Conservative, Cumberland—Colchester, NS]

Madam Chair, the answer is actually 58th out of 63 countries.

What is the percent of Nova Scotians paying more as a result of the carbon tax?

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, University—Rosedale, ON]

Madam Chair, it is a bit rich of the Conservatives to talk about Canada's effectiveness in meeting emissions targets when they have blown through their own rather—

[The Deputy Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

The hon. member.

[Stephen Ellis, Conservative, Cumberland—Colchester, NS]

Once again, the answer is 60%.

Madam Chair, what is the cost to each household for carbon tax number 2 in Canada?

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, University—Rosedale, ON]

Madam Chair, there is no such thing. There is a clean fuel regulation. Actually, the member opposite, himself, along with his colleagues, campaigned on—

[The Deputy Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

The hon. member.

[Stephen Ellis, Conservative, Cumberland—Colchester, NS]

Madam Chair, once again, continuing to say the same thing over again does not make it true.

What is the cost per litre of carbon tax number 1?

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, University—Rosedale, ON]

Madam Chair, as I said, the Conservatives campaigned on a carbon price. Every single elected Conservative member of Parliament campaigned on a carbon price.

[Stephen Ellis, Conservative, Cumberland—Colchester, NS]

Madam Chair, what is the total amount for carbon tax 1, carbon tax 2 and the HST on a litre of fuel?

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, University—Rosedale, ON]

Madam Chair, Canadians understand that not acting is a choice as well.

The price—

[The Deputy Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

The hon. member.

[Stephen Ellis, Conservative, Cumberland—Colchester, NS]

Madam Chair, the answer is 61¢.

What is the Nova Scotia GDP contraction as a result of carbon tax 2?

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, University—Rosedale, ON]

Madam Chair, in fact, economists are putting a number on the price of inaction. The Canadian Institute for Climate Choices says that we spent—