Randy Boissonnault

[The Budget, June 6th, 2023]

Mr. Speaker, for the Conservative leader to appear in front of the press and brag that his party is going to delay the debate on the BIA is the height of irresponsibility. The Conservative delays are holding up tax deductions and benefits for working Canadians. They are holding up protections for air passengers and, shamefully, they are holding up the codification of sanctions against Russia for its illegal war on Ukraine.

It is the height of irresponsibility, and it is shameful of the Conservatives.

[Carbon Pricing, June 5th, 2023]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for Fredericton for that excellent question.

After more than 28 hours of delay caused by the Conservatives, the Standing Committee on Finance was finally able to refer Bill C‑47 back to the House. This bill will allow us to move quickly on getting out the Canada workers benefit, improving the registered education savings plan and reducing the tax burden for merchants by reducing their credit card fees.

I ask the Conservatives to stop their ridiculous politicking and get this bill passed.

[News Media Industry, June 2nd, 2023]

Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague from Pontiac for the question and her hard work. She is absolutely right. Facebook wants once again to bully Canadians and is now blocking news on its platform for many Canadians. That is schoolyard bullying.

Facebook seems to think that Canadians are going to be scared and are not going to ask web giants to pay their fair share. Our door is open to making appropriate changes. We are not going to be intimidated and we are going to demand that the web giants pay their fair share.

[Tourism Industry, June 2nd, 2023]

Madam Speaker, it is so nice to have so many friends from the blue team from Alberta in the chamber on a Friday.

I can say to my colleague from Niagara Falls that, in this budget, $158 million is directly going to the tourism sector, and $1.8 billion will do exactly what he said, which is to get more people to come to Canada for CATSA and for modernization of the airports.

How did the member and the entire Conservative caucus vote? They voted against the tourism sector, against airports and against getting people to our country. “Shame on them”, I say.

[Tourism Industry, June 2nd, 2023]

Madam Speaker, I find it a little odd that the tourism critic for the Conservatives voted against supporting the tourism industry in the budget, yet he voted for a price on pollution when he ran in the last election. I am going to let him explain that to his constituents.

I was at Rendez-vous Canada in Quebec City this week, and the tourism sector in this country is going to be back, not in 2026, not in 2025 and not in 2024, but at the end of 2023. This is thanks to Canadians, thanks to what we have to offer and thanks to the international community for knowing that Canada is back and that people want to come to see us.

[Tourism Industry, June 2nd, 2023]

Madam Speaker, I respect the hon. member, who is my tourism critic, but something does not add up. He voted against supporting the tourism industry in the budget, yet he voted for pricing on carbon in the last campaign. I do not know what they drink in Niagara, but I know—

[The Economy, June 2nd, 2023]

Madam Speaker, if the Conservatives read the budget, they would see that there are measures to make sure that we reduce spending by $15 billion over the next years.

Also, in the budget implementation act, we would be able to make sure that Canada worker benefits go to Canadians faster. It would improve the education savings plans and it would lower the tax burden for tradespeople.

The Conservatives do not like that we stabilized health care for a generation, that we are making historic investments to grow the economy and that we are also helping those Canadians who need it the most.

They want to use dilatory tactics. We are going to keep delivering for Canadians.

[The Economy, June 2nd, 2023]

Madam Speaker, I know personally that I could maybe lose five or 10, but when it comes to that member's question if they really want to help Canadians they would stop the filibuster in this chamber today. They could show up for work and make sure that the budget implementation act passes and that supports get to Canadians who need them.

The hypocrisy on that side is making things smell in this House. It is not just the heat, it is the Conservatives who are blocking this Parliament.

[Carbon Pricing, June 2nd, 2023]

Madam Speaker, this question touches on several things and there is very little time. I will answer what I can.

The former parliamentary budget officer, Kevin Page, clearly said that our budget is very balanced, very responsible and will not create inflation in Canada.

The Conservatives' election platform states, “We will assess progress...to set...carbon prices on a path to $170/tonne”.

What is happening on the other side? They swept it off and cleaned house. They now have a new leader, and that is finished for them.

[Carbon Pricing, June 2nd, 2023]

Madam Speaker, the hon. member opposite knows full well that if he wants to make life more affordable for Canadians, the Conservatives need only stop filibustering and simply support our budget implementation bill, which will ease the cost of living for Canadians.

As for the price on pollution, I recommend that people look at the Conservatives' 2021 election platform. It says that the low-carbon fuel standard is something the Conservatives will adopt if they form government.

What is happening on the other side?