Randy Boissonnault

[Finance, March 30th, 2022]

Mr. Speaker, it is refreshing to hear the other side of the House talk about taxation after their terrible record over their 10 years in government.

On this side of the House, we are focused on supporting Canadians. We are on the verge of voting on Bill C‑8 and we have introduced day care benefits to help Canadian families, increased the additional support for seniors and increased the Canada child benefit.

On this side of the House we are focused on affordability. Who knows what is going on across the way.

[Finance, March 30th, 2022]

Mr. Speaker, this government has made historic investments in the lives of Canadians and Quebeckers, in all communities and in all provinces, to prevent the worst depression since the 1930s.

The other side of the House can vote for Bill C‑8, for $1.8 billion for rapid COVID‑19 tests, for $100 million to improve ventilation in our schools and to help businesses and teachers.

When will the other side of the House vote in favour of Bill C‑8?

[Finance, March 30th, 2022]

Mr. Speaker, the Conservatives continue to talk down the Canadian economy and spin economic fiction.

I would therefore like to share with the House some very important facts.

First, according to StatsCan, our GDP grew at an annualized rate of 6.7%. Second, we are poised to be the fastest growing economy in the G7 next year. Third, our economy is the second fastest growing in the G7 this year, and fourth, despite the omicron variant, our GDP is back to prepandemic levels.

Those are the facts.

[Taxation, March 28th, 2022]

Mr. Speaker, the tourism sector is critical to this country. The Canadian economy will not fully recover until the tourism sector does. I understand the importance of the wine economy to the tourism economy.

Let me say I had the pleasure and the opportunity to attend dozens of pre-budget consultations, and the good news is that we will have an announcement of the budget in the coming days. If Conservatives want to support Canadians, they should support and vote for Bill C-8 today or at the latest tomorrow.

[Finance, March 28th, 2022]

Mr. Speaker, it is not surprising to see the Conservatives campaigning for less climate action and pushing a false narrative about Canada's carbon pricing regime.

Even the Conservative member for New Brunswick Southwest has urged his province to bring in pollution pricing so that New Brunswickers can get some money back in their pockets. He recognizes that this will result in quarterly payments from Ottawa and that federal carbon tax refunds will be mailed to individuals living on low, moderate, middle and fixed incomes.

That is the law. Here on this side of the House, we are taking action.

[Finance, March 28th, 2022]

Mr. Speaker, we all know that climate change is real and that we have to protect Canadians from its real dangers and costs. We implemented carbon pricing across Canada because it is a market mechanism that works.

Let us look at the cash going directly into taxpayers' pockets: $745 in Ontario; $832 in Manitoba; over $1,100 in Saskatchewan; and over $1,000 in Alberta. That money goes back to taxpayers. That is the plan, it works, and we are continuing to make life more affordable.

[Finance, March 28th, 2022]

Mr. Speaker, we all know that climate change is real and that we should protect Canadians from the associated dangers and real costs. We introduced a price on carbon pollution across Canada because it is a market mechanism and the most effective way to ensure that we continue to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Here are the real numbers for Canadian families. An average family of four in Ontario gets back $745. It is $832 in Manitoba, $1,100 in Saskatchewan and $1,079 in my home province of Alberta. That is real action on climate change and real action on affordability.

[Finance, March 28th, 2022]

Mr. Speaker, the other side of the aisle continues to obstruct and delay important legislation that would benefit Canadians and make life more affordable. On Bill C-8 alone, which is up for debate right now, the Conservatives could stop blocking and gutting the bill so that $1.7 billion could flow for COVID rapid tests, along with $100 million for ventilation systems in our schools, tax relief for teachers and real action to help with the cost of housing. While they are obstructing, we are constructing. We are going to work every day for Canadians.

[Finance, March 28th, 2022]

Mr. Speaker, the opposition is raising the important issue of affordability, and today we saw incredible news on that front. This government has signed a deal with Ontario on child care. This multi-billion dollar deal will be good for children and families across the province, and now we have a deal with every province and territory in the country. That is affordability. That is focusing on families. That is focusing on Canadians.

[Finance, March 28th, 2022]

Mr. Speaker, the Conservatives continue to talk down the Canadian economy and spin economic fiction, so let me take this opportunity to share some good news and some facts. StatsCan data showed that our GDP grew by 6.7% in Q4, exceeding market expectations. Our economy is the second-fastest growing in the G7. Our economy will be the fastest growing in the G7 next year. Our GDP is now back to prepandemic levels. Those are the facts.