“Our refinery capacity is down. That makes gas expensive. The government should make us use only Canadian oil.”
What they said. What they meant.
Plain-language translations from the House of Commons.
Recent debates
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Spring Economic Update 2026 Implementation Act
57 statements
Spring Economic Update 2026 Implementation Act
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Arab Heritage Month Act
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The Economy
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Government Priorities
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Government Priorities
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Housing
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The Environment
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Government Orders
Business of Supply
This Bill amends existing laws to implement measures first laid out in a 2026 'Spring Economic Update.' The most prominent provision, and the focus of most discussion, suspends the gasoline excise tax for several months, aiming to reduce prices at the pump. Many Conservatives argued that the Bill did not do enough to address affordability, and wanted the price reduction to be bigger and to last for a year - some Liberals argued this was unnecessary as the government had already enacted various affordability measures. Some on the left argued that the temporary reduction would be pocketed as profits by the petroleum industry without any effective price cap.
“You say we should use only Canadian oil. But you're against pipelines. How are you not contradicting yourself? Do you really want more refineries?”
“You say we need refineries. Greens have wanted refineries for years. A refinery would have helped an oil field in my riding. But that oil field's crude goes to the U.S.”
“I want to pressure the government to give Quebec money. I want Quebec to get money for green programs. The government is trying to compete with other countries' subsidies. I say that's counterproductive.”
“The Liberals keep changing their mind. They say they want electric cars, then they don't, then they do again. They cut programs to make houses efficient. It makes no sense.”
“I want the Green MP to explain herself. She already said the Liberals' plan to remove gas taxes was not enough savings. We want to remove even more gas taxes to help families. But she says she still won't vote for our plan. That doesn't make sense. I want her to say why.”
“I want to blame high gas prices on how we structure our economy and use fossil fuels. The Liberals are wrong to say gas taxes make gas expensive. The Green Party would set a date to transition off fossil fuels.”
“Canadians are struggling with high costs. I don't think the Conservative plan to cut gas taxes will help people. It will just give money to oil companies. The real problem is speculation and price gouging, not taxes. The government should cap prices and tax excess profits, not cut taxes. The Conservative plan would also get rid of a clean fuel standard we need to fight climate change.”
“I want to paint the NDP as divided and extreme by bringing up an old provincial decision and muddying their current position. I'll avoid engaging with their actual argument.”
“I went to a labour convention in Manitoba so I'm going to cheer for the New Democrat government there. Also, I don't like it when other people don't talk about the New Democrat policies I want. The government needs to spend in ways that agree with me. I think what I suggest is the only way to really lower gas prices.”
“I agree! The oil companies are very bad. They got tax cuts and kept the money. They gave the money to Americans. I think the government should stop letting businesses keep their money. That's indecent!”
“I think the government should control prices. Oil companies are very bad. The government should take their money and give it to Canadians. I want to cheer for Liberal price controls during World War II.”
“Cutting gas taxes would help all Canadian families. The government can afford to do this because it makes money from oil companies. Do you agree this is a good start?”
“I want to take away some of the oil companies' extra profit. The government should spend that money to help Canadians instead.”
“I want the government to stop taxing gas and diesel for the rest of the year. The government should get out of the way. Canadians are paying more for gas than Americans. That's bad.”
“The government has actually done so much for affordability. We're helping by spending money on lots of programs. The opposition should just agree with me.”
“I don't want to agree with the government's claims it is already helping affordability. They've had power for 11 years and people wouldn't be complaining if their old ideas worked. I want that member to think again.”
“The Liberal plan is flawed. Experts agree that cutting gas taxes doesn't help the right people. It's a fake solution. The government needs that money. I want to know what my colleague thinks. Does he agree with me?”
“I want to help ordinary Canadians afford gas. My colleague says tax relief goes to the rich. I think that's a weak excuse. Liberals care more about criminals than victims. That's how they think. I say if the government got out of the way it would help everybody.”
“The Liberals made housing and gas crazy expensive. Canadians are having a tough time right now. Do you hear that where you live? Our plan is to cut gas taxes to zero all year. That will help. Think about it.”