Debates of Feb. 26th, 2024

Carbon Pricing

[Steven Guilbeault, Liberal, Minister of Environment and Climate Change]

Mr. Speaker, just last week, in fact, I was visiting a farmer in Peterborough who is working on regenerative agriculture, but I find it—

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

The Chair is having great difficulty hearing the response from the minister due to other folks taking the floor. I also see that the member who asked the question is having difficulty hearing it with his earpiece. Therefore, I would ask all members to please keep it down.

The hon. minister from the top.

[Steven Guilbeault, Liberal, Laurier—Sainte-Marie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I find it quite ironic to be lectured by the Conservatives on support to farmers when at the end of last year they voted against the on-farm climate action fund to support sustainable agriculture. They voted against the dairy innovation and investment fund for farmers. They voted against funding in support of dairy, poultry and egg supply management producers.

On this side of the House, we believe in our farmers, we support our farmers and we help them fight climate change.

[Rachael Thomas, Conservative, Lethbridge, AB]

Mr. Speaker, common-sense Conservatives will axe the tax, build the homes, stop the crime and fix the budget. That is our commitment to Canadians.

Meanwhile, the NDP-Liberal Prime Minister cannot help but skyrocket the crime and increase the corruption. Of course, he is just not worth the cost because he is causing it to go through the roof. He is incredibly hypocritical because for him pollution is free. He can jet-set around the world while Canadians continue to pay. On April 1, they will see an increase of 23% on the carbon tax.

My question is simple: Will the Liberals finally side with Conservatives and scrap the tax?

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

Mr. Speaker, I think the most appropriate question is: Will the Conservatives actually look at the data?

The data will tell us that eight out of ten Canadian families get more money back, and that it is actually an affordability measure. If the hon. member would actually look at the research done by the University of Calgary she would know that.

However, I think Canadians really need to understand that the Conservative approach to climate change is to let the planet burn. It is to leave an impoverished environment and an impoverished economy for the future of our children. Shame, shame, shame.

[Rachael Thomas, Conservative, Lethbridge, AB]

Mr. Speaker, the contrast could not be more stark when it comes to the Liberals versus the Conservatives and their opposition to the Canadian people—

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

Once again, colleagues, the Chair could not hear the question being asked by the hon. member, and that hon. member is actually close to the Chair.

The hon. member for Lethbridge, from the top.

[Rachael Thomas, Conservative, Lethbridge, AB]

Mr. Speaker, it is shameful that my colleagues across the way would clap for a 23% increase in the carbon tax when Canadians are lining up at food banks in insurmountable numbers. Millions of Canadians cannot afford to put food on their table and these folks over here stand and clap. That is shameful. When will they grow—

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[Rachael Thomas, Conservative, Lethbridge, AB]

Mr. Speaker, you can call them to account.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

The time has come awfully close to the end of the hon. member's question. I would like to assure the hon. member that neither the Chair nor the table had heard a comment that was unparliamentary. This is why it is very important for all members—

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

Colleagues, it is very important for members to not comment while a recognized member has the floor. That way—

[Chris Warkentin, Conservative, Grande Prairie—Mackenzie, AB]

Mr. Speaker, look over there.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

I am going to ask the hon. member to restrain himself while I try to give an explanation to all members.

As I was saying to colleagues, it is so important for us to keep our voices down and to restrain ourselves—

[Chris Warkentin, Conservative, Grande Prairie—Mackenzie, AB]

Look over there.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

I am going to ask the hon. member once again to please follow the good example of his whip and restrain himself while the Chair is talking.

It is so important for colleagues to be quiet so that the Chair can hear the question and if, on occasion, members say something that is untoward or unparliamentary, the Chair or the table could hear that comment to make sure that things happen with an appropriate parliamentary tone.

I am going to give the hon. member for Lethbridge 10 seconds to put her question if she chooses. Would the hon. member for Lethbridge like to have those 10 seconds?

[Rachael Thomas, Conservative, Lethbridge, AB]

Mr. Speaker, the minister across the way had something to say to me before and perhaps would say it on the record.

[Anita Anand, Liberal, President of the Treasury Board]

Mr. Speaker, on this side of the House, we agree that the contrast could not be more stark. Because of the Canada carbon rebate, we are putting money back in the pockets of Canadians. In the hon. member's own province, $1,800 will go back to Canadian and Albertan families. Because of the Canada carbon rebate, $1,200 for Manitobans—

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

I want to remind members to be very judicious, if they are going to quote from something. Otherwise, it could be perceived as a prop. I will ask the hon. minister to continue. She has six seconds left on the clock.

[Anita Anand, Liberal, Oakville, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I will close by saying that the Leader of the Opposition's climate denial would axe all of the rebates that we are giving—

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

The hon. member for New Brunswick Southwest.

[John Williamson, Conservative, New Brunswick Southwest, NB]

Mr. Speaker, while common-sense Conservatives will axe the tax, build the homes, fix the budget and stop the crime, the NDP-Liberal Prime Minister is not worth the cost, the crime or the corruption after eight years.

Canadians are paying higher prices because of sky-high taxes. Today in New Brunswick, we pay almost 60¢ more for gasoline per litre than they do in neighbouring Maine. On April 1, the carbon tax is going to go up again, 23%.

Will the Liberals axe the carbon tax and give Canadians a break?