Jonathan Wilkinson

[Questions on the Order Paper, December 4th, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, the two billion trees, 2BT, program committed to partnering with provinces and territories to support the Government of Canada’s target of planting two billion trees. The government is actively negotiating multi-year agreements with provinces and territories, indigenous governments and organizations, municipalities, and other organizations.

As of October 2024, there are no announced projects or tree-planting sites funded by the 2BT program found in the municipalities of Port Moody, Coquitlam, Anmore and Belcarra. All 2BT funded projects can be found on Open Government at: https://search.open.canada.ca/grants/.

More information on the program can be found at the following links.

General information about the two billion trees program can be found here: https://www.canada.ca/en/campaign/2-billion-trees.html

Information on the two billion trees program progress can be found here: https://www.canada.ca/en/campaign/2-billion-trees/our-action.html

Information on the two billion trees program’s collaboration with provinces and territories can be found here: https://www.canada.ca/en/campaign/2-billion-trees/2-billion-trees-partnerships-with-provinces-and-territories.html

[Carbon Pricing, November 28th, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, I am honestly not sure how Canadians can give any credence to anything the member and those folks over there say. The member on the other side of the House ran on a platform that included putting a price on pollution. It is the height of hypocrisy. At the same time, she and her colleagues are denying the science of climate change and condemning our children to a terrible future. From an economic perspective, they have no plan to build an economy that would create good jobs for our kids and our grandkids. It is absolutely shameful the positions that they take.

[Taxation, November 28th, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, we know Canadians need more support these days and that is why we introduced the Canada child benefit, lifting hundreds of thousands of Canadian children out of poverty. We cut child care costs by 50% to help families and we cut taxes for small business.

Now we are giving all Canadians a tax break. We are eliminating the GST on essential goods for two months to support Canadians through the holidays. This means groceries, children's clothes and more will be tax-free, so Canadians will have more money in their pockets.

Conservatives oppose this, just as they want to cut all kinds of supports for Canadians. While they play political games, we are working for Canadians.

[Oil and Gas Industry, November 19th, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, I would say that the government has been listening to the voices of Canadians, who are concerned about climate change. They are also concerned about building an economy that will thrive in a low-carbon future. We have put into place a plan that is cutting carbon emissions, which were accelerating under the Harper government. It is just a shame that the NDP has abandoned its commitment on climate change and is walking away from the price on pollution. There are over 100 million tonnes of excess emissions because of a decision they made to collaborate with the leader of the Conservative Party of Canada. On this side of the House, we believe climate change is real and we are going to fight it.

[Carbon Pricing, November 18th, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, it is a fact that 300 economists in this country have all said that a price on pollution is an effective way to reduce emissions, and the majority of Canadians actually get more money back in rebates. It is a fact that the Parliamentary Budget Officer said exactly the same thing.

On this side of the House, we have a plan that is about addressing affordability issues. It is about growing a clean economy for the future, and it is about fighting climate change. My goodness, it is time that some of those folks across the way at least accept the reality of climate change and have something positive to say.

[Carbon Pricing, November 18th, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, once again, it would be nice if the Leader of the Opposition was not spouting disinformation and misinformation in the House. At the end of the day, eight out of 10 Canadian families, the vast majority of Canadians, get more money back. It is those who actually live on the most modest incomes who are the best off as a result of the price on pollution. I would also say that it is a price on pollution. It is about addressing climate change, something that the organization across the way simply has no idea how to do and does not care.

[International Trade, November 5th, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, we on this side of the House have been working very hard in the interests of forestry workers and forestry companies here in Canada. We are working very hard to progress negotiations with the Americans. We are working very hard on value-added forestry. It is something we are committed to continuing to do, including by working with Irving's forest products in New Brunswick.

On this side of the House, we are working very hard in the best interests of Canadians. We would expect elected officials across the board to be doing that. Canadians are asking why the Leader of the Opposition will not get a security clearance.

[The Economy, November 4th, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, today, we were very pleased to announce an emissions cap with respect to the oil and gas sector in this country.

Given that oil and gas constitutes 31% of Canada's greenhouse gas emissions, it is important that we work with the sector to reduce emissions, just as we do with every sector. It is also true that, as we move towards a lower carbon economy across the world, oil and gas produced with the lowest emissions is going to have value around the world.

We are moving forward with a plan to address climate change and build a strong economy going forward. The Conservatives are stuck in the past and ignoring the science of climate.

[Carbon Pricing, October 22nd, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, let me provide a few facts to the hon member.

The fact is that the PBO confirmed that the vast majority of Canadians get more money back than they pay. The fact is that over 300 economists say that carbon pricing is the best way to reduce emissions, which is best for the economy. The fact is that Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said that her family gets more money back with the carbon rebate. The fact is that Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said that he looked at all alternatives to the carbon price and they were all too expensive.

We are reducing emissions while we are addressing affordability. On that side of the House, they have no plan to address climate change. They are actively denying the reality of climate change. They have no plan for the economy. Shame on them.

[Carbon Pricing, October 21st, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, we know that the Conservatives do not believe in the reality of climate change, nor do they have a plan for our economic future. They are no different from Mr. Rustad, who has endorsed the Leader of the Opposition. He said, “We should not be trying to fight climate change” and that “this narrative about climate...I can only put it to the fact that somehow they think that we need to reduce the world population.” Many other candidates have essentially said that we do not need to fight climate change.

Canadians know that climate change is real. Canadians know we need a plan for the future of the economy, and that is what is on this side of the House. Shame on you.