Tracy Gray

[Questions Passed as Orders for Returns, December 11th, 2024]

With regard to the government's use of the third-party contractor The Right Door Consulting & Solutions Inc. since January 1, 2016: what are the details, broken down by department, of travel expenses incurred by the government related to contracts signed with The Right Door Consulting & Solutions Inc., including the (i) dates, costs, and flight details of all flights expensed by The Right Door Consulting & Solutions Inc., (ii) dates, costs, and locations of lodgings expensed by The Right Door Consulting & Solutions Inc., (iii) dates, costs, and items charged as per diems expensed by The Right Door Consulting & Solutions Inc.?

[Points of Order, December 6th, 2024]

Madam Speaker, to add to the point of order about questions during question period, I think it would be a really challenging precedent to not allow members to use whatever preamble they would to get to their question. The question is at the very end and to cut off members midway really impedes on the member's even being able to get to their question. Therefore, I do not think that is the way to go.

I know we have had NDP members who have asked many questions related to provincial premiers. We have seen a lot of that in the House. I think going this way in this manner would create a lot of difficulty. I just want you to consider that members should be allowed to freely state what is important to them and what they are hearing from their constituents and then get to the question. If a member of the government stands up to answer a question, that is their prerogative if they choose to answer it, whether it is business of the House or not. I would like you to consider that.

[Carbon Pricing, December 6th, 2024]

Madam Speaker, while the member does all the work for the Prime Minister and the NDP-Liberal government, food bank usage is actually up 90%. Rising food costs driven by the carbon tax mean that the average family will spend $16,800 on food next year. People who used to donate to food banks are now clients. Canadians are struggling, yet the Prime Minister will quadruple the carbon tax to 61¢ a litre.

Will the Prime Minister admit his failed policies, which are making food unaffordable, and cancel the carbon tax so families can put food on their table?

[Carbon Pricing, December 6th, 2024]

Madam Speaker, after nine years of the NDP-Liberal government, Canadian families are paying the price for the Prime Minister's inflationary carbon tax. “Canada's Food Price Report 2025” just revealed that a family of four will spend $800 more on food in 2025. Food prices rose 36% faster in Canada than in the United States. Taxing farmers, truckers and ultimately families has driven millions of Canadians to food banks, yet the Liberals are hiking the carbon tax again.

Will the Prime Minister finally give families some relief and cancel his punitive carbon tax?

[Taxation, December 5th, 2024]

Madam Speaker, I am not surprised that the member opposite is raising the recent temporary, two-month, tax trick, but the key word is that it is temporary. Conservatives will favour permanent tax relief, such as axing the carbon tax. Looking at the capital gains tax or at the escalator on excise tax as well would provide relief.

The short-term Liberal tax trick on a last-minute Christmas tree will not mean much when the carbon tax on every Canadian's gas, groceries and home heating will rise 19% on April 1, 2025. Christmas tree farmers in my region are small and would not even charge GST anyway because their business is small.

Conservatives will have a tax reform. We will axe the federal tax on new homes sold under $1 million to build more homes and put more money into first-time homebuyers' pockets. Conservatives will actually lower taxes so people have more money in their pockets.

[Taxation, December 5th, 2024]

Madam Speaker, it is always an honour to rise on behalf of the residents of Kelowna—Lake Country. I rise today to address an issue that worries most of the residents in my riding of Kelowna—Lake Country, and this is the NDP-Liberal government's continued commitment to higher taxation. On April 1, the carbon tax and the excise tax on alcoholic beverages are going to go up again, and the capital gains tax has gone up, impeding investments and retirements.

First is the Prime Minister's favourite tax on everything: the carbon tax. Despite widespread opposition against the carbon tax from the majority of Canadians, 62% according to a recent Leger poll, and a majority of premiers across all political parties, the Liberal environment minister confirmed this past week that his government will still increase its carbon tax by 19% on April 1. The NDP-Liberal plan to quadruple the carbon tax to 61¢ a litre by the end of this decade is just wrong for farmers, businesses, families and our economy.

The Fraser Institute reported that the carbon tax will result in 57,000 fewer jobs and a 6.2% reduction in Canada's GDP. The Parliamentary Budget Officer has already confirmed that Canadian families suffer a net cost from the carbon tax, paying far more in taxes than they receive back in rebates. That is fewer dollars in Canadians' pockets while doing nothing for our environment. On top of this, GST is charged on the carbon tax. This is a tax on a tax, which is absolutely wrong.

Recently, I had the privilege of attending meetings of the trade committee to ask witnesses about the damaging impacts of the Liberal capital gains tax hike. The Council of Canadian Innovators commissioned a survey of entrepreneurs, and the results showed that 90% of respondents believe the Liberals' capital gains tax hike would negatively affect the innovation economy. We heard from many entrepreneurs and investors that Canada will be less competitive for talent, investment and capital in the global market because of this capital gains tax hike.

Arlene Dickinson, the legendary Canadian venture capitalist best known for supporting small business owners on Dragons' Den, told me she did not believe the Liberal budget when it said, “Increasing the capital gains inclusion rate is not expected to hurt Canada's business competitiveness.” Instead of supporting our entrepreneurs, the NDP-Liberal government views them only as a cash cow.

Last, coming from a region with many wineries, cideries, distilleries and breweries, I must raise the Liberals' commitment to raising the alcohol escalator excise tax by 2% again next year. Speaking with residents of mine who work in this sector, I know the pressures on their bottom line. These costs will only be passed on to our local retailers, restaurant owners and other licensees, putting unnecessary economic pressure on an industry in the heart of the Okanagan.

Tax increases ultimately always get passed on to the consumer. Canadians cannot afford the squeeze anymore. The NDP-Liberal government's cost of living crisis will not end until it brings permanent, long-lasting tax relief for everyone.

[Public Safety, December 5th, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, that was a desperate and untrue response.

After nine years of the NDP-Liberals, Canadians do not even feel safe walking down the street, taking public transit or even being in their own homes. Canadians want repeat violent offenders to remain behind bars and mandatory jail time for serious violent crimes.

Small businesses have had it with the crime and the extra costs. Every Canadian premier called on the Liberals to scrap the catch-and-release bail policies.

Will the Liberals listen and reverse their reckless crime policies, or just get out of the way so that a Conservative government can fix what they broke?

[Public Safety, December 5th, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, it was just reported in Vancouver that two people were wounded in another random stabbing. After nine years of the Prime Minister, these tragic stories are sadly more common, as violent crime is up 50%. The NDP-Liberal soft-on-crime policies and laws have unleashed a crime wave across Canada, including random attacks.

Bill C-75 created a catch-and-release bail system. Bill C-5 removed mandatory minimum sentences on many serious crimes. Will the Liberal government reverse these reckless policies?

[International Day of Persons with Disabilities, December 3rd, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, I have shoulder-length blonde hair, a royal blue blazer and a black blouse. Today, we recognize the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

Twenty-seven per cent of Canadians have one or more disabilities that impact their daily lives, causing many to face significant disadvantages. The rising cost of living crisis in Canada has disproportionately affected many persons with disabilities, with one in six people with disabilities living in poverty in 2022, and 72% of persons with disabilities in Canada reported experiencing barriers to accessibility in their daily lives.

Canada must do better to work toward a barrier-free country. Let us recognize the contributions of persons with disabilities in our communities and to Canada, as well as recognize the many advocates and those who support and help care for persons with disabilities, who are the voices of some of the most vulnerable Canadians.

[Privilege, November 29th, 2024]

Madam Speaker, my colleague talked quite a bit about the situation that happened at SDTC, and I am wondering if he can expand on it. What we are discussing and what the House is seized with is the over 180 instances of conflicts of interest that were determined by the Auditor General. The Auditor General did not even audit all of the contracts that went through SDTC, so there could potentially be even more.

When we look at the scope of this, how big it is, it is potentially one of the biggest scandals in Canadian history, so members can understand why the Liberals do not want to bring forth the documents. They are obviously trying to hide something. The documents they have brought forward have been heavily redacted.

I am wondering if the member can speak to how big this is and how important it is right now in Canadian history.