Debates of May 29th, 2023

Department of Finance—Main Estimates, 2023-24

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

Madam Chair, I was just reading from the 2021 Conservative platform. The Leader of the Opposition ran as an MP on that platform. He now says he did not support it.

Was he misleading Canadians when he asked for their vote?

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Carleton, ON]

Madam Chair, no.

The answer is that the second carbon tax will cost another $1,000 in Alberta, another $611 in Manitoba and another $850 in Newfoundland and Labrador. Where does the minister expect the people of those provinces to get that money?

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

Madam Chair, let us talk about something else that every single Conservative, including the Conservative leader, promised to Canadians when they asked for their vote. This is a sacred trust we enter into in election campaigns. The Conservative platform said, “We'll finalize and improve”—

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[Kevin Lamoureux, Liberal, Winnipeg North, MB]

Madam Chair, on a point of order, when the member opposite is speaking, it is very quiet, and I would expect the same courtesy when the Minister of Finance is speaking.

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[The Deputy Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

I understand some people who are laughing, but I do not think it is a laughing matter when we demand respect in the House. No matter who is speaking, everyone deserves respect in the House, so I would ask members, if they wish to have conversations or are not in agreement with what is happening, that they take it out of the chamber.

The hon. minister.

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

Madam Chair, I think the Conservatives do not want Canadians to be reminded of what they promised in the last election, but I am going to keep reminding Canadians.

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Carleton, ON]

Madam Chair, the minister has carbon tax 1 and carbon tax 2. She cannot tell anybody what they cost. Either she does not know or she does not want Canadians to know.

Can you tell us what will be the total cost to an average family, net of rebates, of carbon tax 1 plus carbon tax 2? How much?

[The Deputy Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

The hon. leader of the official opposition has to address all questions and comments through the Chair and not directly to the minister.

The hon. minister.

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

Madam Chair, I would like to refresh the Conservative leader's memory because, in the last campaign, his party promised to “improve the Clean Fuel Regulations to reduce carbon emissions from every litre of gasoline (and other liquid fuels) we burn”. Was that something the Conservative leader supported when he was knocking on doors and saying that that was his plan?

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Carleton, ON]

Madam Chair, the question was this: How much is the total cost per family of the two combined carbon taxes plus the tax on the tax and the tax. How much? That is the easy question.

She has an official there. Perhaps he could hand her a briefing note. How much is it?

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

Madam Chair, the point is that a plan beats no plan, and these Conservatives were either misleading Canadians in the last election, which it seems they were, or they simply do not have a climate plan today.

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Carleton, ON]

Madam Chair, if the minister does not believe me, maybe she will believe the Liberal premier of Newfoundland and Labrador who said:

As the July 1 implementation date of the federal...Regulations approaches, Atlantic Premiers remain concerned about the detrimental and disproportionate impact they will have on Atlantic Canadians. Together with the carbon tax increase also scheduled for July 1, an increase in the cost of gasoline and diesel is anticipated. These increases will further add to inflationary pressures that will increase the costs of other goods imported to the region.

That is not me. That is the Liberal premier of Newfoundland and Labrador. Is he wrong?

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

Madam Chair, the people of Newfoundland and Labrador will be getting back nearly $1,000 through our price on pollution, which puts the money back into the pockets of Canadians.

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Carleton, ON]

Madam Chair, that is interesting. Now the minister is finally talking numbers. It turns out that Newfoundland and Labradorians will be paying $2,166 more in carbon taxes and taxes on the tax than they get back in any of these phony rebates. If these numbers are not right, what are the correct numbers?

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

Madam Chair, what turns out to be phony is the platform every single Conservative MP ran on in 2021. I just read it out. They promised a path to $170 a tonne. They promised clean fuel regulations. Therefore, if the Conservatives can turn around and disavow that, what—

[The Deputy Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

The hon. leader of the official opposition.

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Carleton, ON]

Madam Chair, how much will the second carbon tax cost Quebeckers?

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

Madam Chair, Quebeckers understand the importance of climate action.

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Carleton, ON]

Madam Chair, how much will Quebeckers pay per litre of diesel and gasoline with the second carbon tax?

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

Madam Chair, the important question is this: How much will Canadians, including Quebeckers, lose without a plan to create a green economy?

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Carleton, ON]

Madam Chair, how much will Quebeckers pay for each litre of diesel and gasoline with this second carbon tax?

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

Madam Chair, Quebec is a leader in Canada and abroad in terms of climate action. I know that Quebeckers are well aware of how important—

[The Deputy Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

The hon. Leader of the Opposition.