Debates of June 9th, 2025

Main Estimates and Supplementary Estimates (A), 2025-26

[Julie Dabrusin, Liberal, Toronto—Danforth, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the industrial carbon price is an important piece for making sure that our industry stays competitive in a world that is moving toward border carbon adjustments. It is how we can access markets for a strong economic future.

[Carol Anstey, Conservative, Long Range Mountains, NL]

Mr. Speaker, if the minister is committed to tackling the cost of living crisis, will she remove the industrial carbon tax?

[Julie Dabrusin, Liberal, Toronto—Danforth, ON]

Mr. Speaker, in short form, I do not accept the manner in which that question was phrased, but, no, I am not in support of removing the industrial carbon price. It is important for our economy and it is important for our industry's competitiveness worldwide.

[Carol Anstey, Conservative, Long Range Mountains, NL]

Mr. Speaker, does the minister know which province has the highest rate of unemployment in this country?

[Julie Dabrusin, Liberal, Toronto—Danforth, ON]

Mr. Speaker, if the member opposite has questions for the minister of labour or the minister of skills and employment, I am happy to direct those questions to them.

[Carol Anstey, Conservative, Long Range Mountains, NL]

Mr. Speaker, does the minister know the unemployment rate of Newfoundland and Labrador?

[Julie Dabrusin, Liberal, Toronto—Danforth, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for naming my role. I am the Minister of Environment and Climate Change.

If the member opposite has questions about labour or about employment and skills development, she can ask that minister those questions.

[Carol Anstey, Conservative, Long Range Mountains, NL]

Mr. Speaker, Newfoundland and Labrador is important to me.

Is the minister aware that it is above 9%?

[Julie Dabrusin, Liberal, Toronto—Danforth, ON]

Mr. Speaker, once again, I am the Minister of Environment and Climate Change. I care about Newfoundland and Labrador too, and I am happy to have those questions directed to the minister responsible for employment and skills development.

[Carol Anstey, Conservative, Long Range Mountains, NL]

Mr. Speaker, I am glad to hear the minister cares about Newfoundland and Labrador.

Does the minister agree that the industrial carbon tax makes our industry less competitive and drives jobs and opportunities out of Canada?

[Julie Dabrusin, Liberal, Toronto—Danforth, ON]

Mr. Speaker, that is simply incorrect. As I mentioned before, in this moment when we are faced with unjustified tariffs from the United States, we are trying to diversify our trade. There are border carbon adjustments being put in place by other countries to access those markets. We need to make sure we have an industrial carbon price.

[Carol Anstey, Conservative, Long Range Mountains, NL]

Mr. Speaker, I am happy the minister is referencing the tariffs.

In the face of unjustified 50% tariffs from the U.S. on Canadian industry, why is the minister continuing to charge Canadian businesses an industrial carbon tax?

[Julie Dabrusin, Liberal, Toronto—Danforth, ON]

Mr. Speaker, does the member opposite care about the competitiveness of our industries, accessing trade with other countries to diversify our markets and at the same time fighting climate change? All of those are important, and that is why an industrial carbon price is important to maintain.

[Carol Anstey, Conservative, Long Range Mountains, NL]

Mr. Speaker, we can control the industrial carbon tax, unlike the unjustified U.S. tariffs, so why not remove it in the face of the threat?

[Julie Dabrusin, Liberal, Toronto—Danforth, ON]

Mr. Speaker, perhaps a better question for the member opposite is this: Why will she not join us in the fight to make sure that we are fighting against those unjustified tariffs and that we stand up for a strong, unified country that cares about building a strong economy while protecting the environment?

[Carol Anstey, Conservative, Long Range Mountains, NL]

Mr. Speaker, Canadian manufacturers pay an industrial carbon tax while competitors in China and the U.S. do not. Does this seem fair?

[Julie Dabrusin, Liberal, Toronto—Danforth, ON]

Mr. Speaker, as I have mentioned, other countries, like the countries of the EU and the U.K., are putting in place border carbon adjustments.

Does it seem fair that the member opposite is suggesting we not diversify trade to those important countries? Does she want us to remain committed to only trading with the United States or does she want us to access those markets?

[Dan Mazier, Conservative, Riding Mountain, MB]

Mr. Chair, the Liberals promised 100% zero-emissions car sales by 2035 in their platform. Does the minister intend to keep that policy, yes or no?

[Julie Dabrusin, Liberal, Minister of Environment and Climate Change]

Mr. Chair, let me begin by saying that, absolutely, it has been one of the worst things to see the unjustified tariffs from the United States against our auto sector. We will have our auto sector's back and will have the backs of the workers in that industry.

[Dan Mazier, Conservative, Riding Mountain, MB]

Mr. Chair, does the minister intend to keep that policy, yes or no?

[Julie Dabrusin, Liberal, Toronto—Danforth, ON]

Mr. Chair, as I mentioned before, as we move forward, we need to make sure that everything we do—

[The Assistant Deputy Chair, Conservative, John Nater]

The hon. member.

[Dan Mazier, Conservative, Riding Mountain, MB]

Mr. Chair, does the minister intend to keep that policy, yes or no?

[Julie Dabrusin, Liberal, Toronto—Danforth, ON]

Mr. Chair, the transportation sector is actually 27% of Canada's GHGs.

[Dan Mazier, Conservative, Riding Mountain, MB]

Mr. Chair, is the government's target for 100% zero-emissions vehicle sales by 2035 mandatory or optional?