Mel Arnold

Mr. Speaker, Greeting · 13 wordsit is always an honour to rise as the representative of Kamloops—Shuswap—Central Rockies.Greeting Claims · 70 wordsAs I have noted previously, it is a riding that stretches from the continental divide in Yoho National Park, through the lakes and highlands of the Shuswap, to the ranching grasslands of Kamloops. It is a total of roughly 450 kilometres of Trans-Canada Highway, from east to west, ⁵Off pointand an area where people rely on vehicles that can be on the road all day, and sometimes well into the night.Partly on point Anecdote · 40 wordsI know this first-hand after having traversed this great riding from end to end for months, from before the time I was elected as a federal representative in April 2025 up to and including just a couple of days ago.⁶AnecdoteOff point Procedure · 21 wordsToday, I rise to speak to Bill C-38, the Canadian fuel affordability act. We are here late tonight debating this bill.Procedure Claims · 17 wordsThe bill proposes to reduce the federal excise tax on gas and diesel until January 31, 2027.² Procedure · 34 wordsI propose that we are here debating more than a reduction in the fuel excise tax, and that we are here debating the Liberal government’s record on affordability over its 11-year tenure in government.Procedure Reasoning · 48 wordsThis is an affordability crisis created by 11 years of Liberal government. While Bill C-38 proposes to reduce and remove the fuel excise tax until January 31, it would be a small relief for some and would only go until January 31. Canadians need so much more relief. The ask · 21 wordsThat is why Conservatives are calling for the removal of all federal taxes on fuel until at least Canada Day 2027, Reasoning · 55 wordsand Canadians need so much more. Canadians expect their government to govern in a manner that keeps the cost of living under control and provides the services needed to help keep their country safe and sustainable. We, as elected representatives, have a duty to those residents of this great country to deliver on their expectations. Claims · 17 wordsHowever, what Canadians are paying to live under the Liberals has grown beyond the means of many. Positioning · 28 wordsOf course, the Liberals will try to blame this on all sorts of things, like Donald Trump, the trade tariffs, the war in Ukraine and other worldly events.Positioning Claims · 23 wordsWhen it comes down to it, however, it is Liberal policies over the last 11 years that have brought on this affordability crisis. Reasoning · 48 wordsIf the Liberals had not blocked progress of resource development through bills like Bill C-48 and Bill C-69, and promoted an antidevelopment agenda, Canada could have been in a position where these worldly events mattered less and we would be more self-reliant on our own energy and resources. Claims · 40 wordsAfter 11 years, we are here with a government desperately trying to develop trade with other countries, lagging behind in the development, processing and sales of liquefied natural gas and other resources the rest of the world is looking for. Positioning · 47 wordsWe have had 11 years of the Liberal government kneecapping the potential wealth growth of this country. Tonight, we have a Liberal government trying to look like the saviour from its own policies and legislation. People should not be fooled into thinking this is a new government.Positioning Claims · 51 wordsMany of the same architects behind those debilitating policies are still at those same seats at the cabinet table, pushing the same ideologies and not wanting to admit they are the ones responsible for the growing deficits and debt service costs that Canadians of future generations will be forced to pay. Positioning · 42 wordsHere we are debating this tax relief bill tonight, October 20, 2026, like it is the Liberal government’s idea.⁷ However, we have a government trying to fool people into believing it is sparing them from the high costs that it has caused.Positioning Claims · 39 wordsIn April of this year, Conservatives brought forward a motion in this House calling for the federal fuel excise tax to be removed for the rest of 2026, along with broader relief from federal costs on gasoline and diesel.¹ Positioning · 18 wordsIt is real relief that could have been in place already had the Liberals not voted against it.Positioning Anecdote · 156 wordsAs I met with people at home in the beautiful riding of Kamloops—Shuswap—Central Rockies over the summer months, Partly on pointand even more in recent weeks, one of the first topics of every discussion was almost always the cost of living and affordability for ordinary Canadians. When I visited food banks, I learned that some of them are seeing increases in reliant families and increases in demand ranging from 200% to 500%.³ The shelves that were once being stocked by volunteers are now seeing some of those same volunteers coming in for help with their grocery needs. When I talk to seniors having to decide between putting food on the table and getting a gift for a grandchild, or parents trying to stretch two family incomes to buy food and shelter for their family, or potential parents who are choosing not to have children because they do not think they can afford it, my heart aches for them.Anecdote Reasoning · 26 wordsLife was not like that in Canada, not even during the global recession in the mid-2000s, and it does not need to be like that anymore. Positioning · 47 wordsWe have so much potential here in Canada, and I believe Canadians will see that potential and see that a Conservative government is what is needed to truly deal with the affordability crisis, a government that would unleash the potential of our greatest resources in this country.Positioning Claims · 42 wordsI do not just mean the natural resources in and on our lands and waters. I mean the people of this great country, who are willing and ready to build on the opportunity and resources we share. They can see the potential, Positioning · 12 wordsand they know that the government has been holding back that potential.Positioning Claims · 66 wordsI see fuel costs at three dollars per litre for diesel at home as I drive down the highway from one end of my riding to the other.⁴ Truckers have to pay that fuel price just to get goods to grocery stores. Parents have to pay that price when they take their kids to a soccer game and even when they go to the grocery store. Reasoning · 29 wordsThis has to change, and it has to be through measures that are more substantial than what the Liberals are putting forward as their idea of a saviour-type move. Procedure · 15 wordsAs I close off tonight, it is getting late here in Ottawa, near 11 p.m., ProcedurePromise · 38 wordsand I know there are people back home who need to know that my Conservative colleagues and I will fight late into the night and beyond to bring affordability relief from the Liberal government’s ever-increasing cost of living.Off pointVague promise Procedure · 10 wordsThose late-night watchers go beyond my wife and my family.Procedure Positioning · 36 wordsThey are the people across the Kamloops—Shuswap—Central Rockies riding and across the country who are depending on us, the official opposition, to keep reckless government spending under control and to bring them real opportunity and affordability.PositioningOff pointVague promise Thanks · 20 wordsI thank everyone watching for caring about our country and for contacting my colleagues and I about their affordability concerns.Thanks Reasoning · 15 wordsIt is their words that matter most to us on this side of the House. Promise · 9 wordsWe are here for them late into the night.Off point Thanks · 11 wordsI thank everyone for watching and listening and for their support.Thanks Promise · 7 wordsWe are, after all, here for them.Off point