Mr. Speaker, across the world, conflict and instability, particularly in the Middle East and with disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, have put pressure on the global oil supply. Prices are rising. Canadians are feeling it. They are feeling it at the pump, on the grocery bill and in the cost of moving goods across the country. Let me be clear: Canadians are right to be concerned. However, in moments like this, Canadians expect seriousness. They expect leadership grounded in facts, not slogans. They expect a plan that deals with both the immediate pressures they are facing today and the structural challenges we must solve tomorrow. It is exactly what our government is delivering.
Let us start with the reality. Canada does not control the global price of oil. We do not control geopolitical conflicts. We do not control disruptions in international shipping lanes. We do not control the decisions of OPEC or other major producers. What we can control, and what we must control, is how we respond. Today, our response is clear: immediate relief for Canadians paired with long-term energy security.
Earlier today, the Prime Minister announced that our government will temporarily suspend the federal fuel excise tax on gasoline and diesel, from April to Labour Day. That means real savings for Canadians. It means up to 10¢ a litre off gasoline, money that stays in the pockets of Canadians. It means savings every time a parent fills up the car, every time a small business fuels a delivery truck and every time goods move across our country. This is targeted, and it is how we are responding responsibly for Canadians. It recognizes that the price spike Canadians are experiencing is driven by external global factors, not long-term domestic policy. It provides relief without undermining the fiscal stability Canadians depend on.
Now let us contrast that with what the Conservatives are proposing. Their motion calls for sweeping permanent changes based on assumptions about oil prices that they simply cannot guarantee. Their entire plan depends on one thing, that global oil prices remain high. We have already seen how quickly those prices can change. Following a ceasefire announcement, prices dropped sharply in a matter of days. The question is simple: Are we going to base national fiscal policy on speculation about global oil markets?
That is exactly what the Conservatives are doing. As outlined in the Conservative leader's letter to the Prime Minister, their plan assumes billions in revenue that may never materialize and would commit billions in permanent tax cuts that would leave a hole in our public finances. That is not a serious plan for a serious moment.
From a natural resources perspective, the debate is about something bigger than just taxes. It is about energy security. This global crisis has revealed a fundamental truth. Countries that control their energy future are more resilient. Countries that do not are exposed.
Canada is fortunate. We are one of the world's great energy nations. We have the fourth-largest proven oil reserves. We are a leading producer of natural gas. We are building major projects in LNG, nuclear, hydro and clean electricity. We are using that strength not just for ourselves but for our allies. Canadian energy exports are rising. The Trans Mountain expansion is moving record volumes. LNG exports are reaching global markets. Canada is playing a key role in stabilizing supply during a volatile period. That is what it means to be an energy superpower.
Being an energy superpower also means something else. It means building for the future. While we deal with today's price spike, we must also ensure that Canadians are not exposed again. That is why our government is investing in clean electricity, low-emissions LNG, nuclear energy and the infrastructure that connects our resources to global markets. We are building an energy system that is more resilient, more independent and more affordable over the long term.
Let us talk about what the Conservative motion would actually do. It is not just about the excise tax. It proposes eliminating the clean fuel regulations. It proposes scrapping the industrial carbon pricing. These are not minor changes. These are policies that are driving tens of billions of dollars in investment into Canada's energy sector, supporting projects like carbon capture, clean fuels and low-emissions production. Scrapping them would not make Canada stronger, and the Premier of Alberta has said as much.
It would make Canada less competitive. It would send a signal to investors that Canada is stepping back from the very policies that are helping us access global markets and create domestic demand for canola and other crops to support cleaner fuels. At a time when our allies are demanding cleaner, more responsible energy, that is a risk we cannot afford to take.
There is another consequence that the Conservatives have not addressed: The proposal would have real impacts on municipal infrastructure funding. Fuel tax revenues support communities across the country, helping to build roads, transit systems, water infrastructure and climate-resilient projects. These are not abstract concepts; they are projects Canadians rely on every single day. Undermining that funding without credible replacement would shift costs onto provinces, municipalities and our future taxpayers. What the Conservatives are saying is that they do not care how much property taxes increase for their constituents. They want to have a quick, cheap political win without thinking of the consequences back home. Again, that is not responsible.
Our approach is different. We recognize that Canadians need help today, and that is why we are acting to lower costs at the pump. We are doing it in a way that is targeted, temporary and responsible. We are pairing that with a broader plan to strengthen affordability, such as cutting taxes for the middle class, providing support for groceries and essentials, investing in housing, lowering child care costs and promoting stronger competition across key sectors. That is because affordability will not be solved by a single policy. It will be solved by a comprehensive plan.
At its core, this debate comes down to a simple choice: Do we respond to global volatility with serious targeted action or with permanent, unfunded promises? Do we build Canada's energy future or do we undermine the very policies that are attracting jobs and investment? Do we offer Canadians real relief today or build resilience tomorrow? Our government has made this choice. We are providing immediate relief to Canadians at the pump. We are building Canada into an energy superpower, and we are doing it in a way that strengthens our economy, supports our workers and ensures that Canadians have the certainty and security they deserve.
Canadians understand that we cannot control what happens abroad, but they also understand that we can control how we respond. Today, we are responding with leadership, with responsibility and with a clear plan to build a stronger Canada. For those reasons, I urge all members of this House to reject this motion and support a responsible path forward for Canadians.