Mr. Speaker, across Canada, farmers are bringing in the harvest. The work that began months ago is coming down to these critical weeks where the weather, the crop and the clock all come together. There is no postponing the harvest because conditions are not perfect or the economics are unfavourable. When the crop is ready, farmers have to get it off the field. Tractors and trucks, combines and harvesters, a swath of machinery has to run to bring in the crop. For the vast majority of that equipment, that means diesel.
My brother, a farmer, is paying 84% more for diesel this September versus last. That is 24¢ per litre more than the American average. The Conservative emergency fuel relief plan proposes eliminating federal taxes on diesel until at least Canada Day 2027 and the removal of the industrial carbon tax and clean fuel standard. Longer term, it proposes emergency permitting for diesel refineries, production and distribution, and a strategic refined petroleum reserve.
Will the government support our motion today to address these high diesel prices?