Taxation

During question period on taxation, Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre asked the government to remove its taxes on gas and diesel, saying Canadians cannot afford food, heat, or housing and that a fuel-related tax adds about 20 cents a litre to gas prices, with some of that money going to support American biofuel producers, which he said hurts single mothers, seniors, and small businesses. Liberal ministers responded that the government is supporting Canadians facing higher costs from foreign wars and trade conflicts, noted that a budget would be tabled the next day, said the Conservatives vote against the government’s affordability measures, and pointed to heat pump rebates they said save households over $1,000 a year. They also said a large energy facility near the Conservative leader’s riding benefits from the government’s clean fuel rules.Written by AI from the debate. Updated .

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4 statements

Pierre Poilievre, Leader of the Opposition

Conservative
“Canadians cannot afford food, heat, or housing, and things have gotten worse under the Prime Minister. I want him to do his job and take all taxes off gas and diesel to save people money.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, it is all well and good to watch the results south of the border, but we have real problems as well here in Canada, real problems in the real lives of real people who cannot afford eat, heat, or house themselves, real problems that have gotten much worse since the Prime Minister took office. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister distracts with grand theatrical gestures, so my question is, will he actually stand up and do his job in the House, in our country, to save Canadians money by taking all taxes off gas and diesel so Canadians can afford to eat, heat, and house themselves?

Steven MacKinnon, Minister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons

Liberal

Linked statement

“We are helping Canadians deal with high living costs caused by foreign wars and trade fights, and our budget tomorrow will do more. The Conservatives vote against every single thing we do to help people.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister and the government have and will continue to, and I note that the budget is tomorrow, support Canadians who are feeling pinched by foreign wars, wars in the Middle East and a number of external factors, including trade wars, that have affected their quality of life and affordability. I have to also note the systematic opposition of the Conservative leader and party to every single possible initiative that we put forward to help Canadians in need.

Pierre Poilievre, Leader of the Opposition

Conservative
“The Prime Minister adds 20 cents a litre to gas prices, and that money helps American energy companies. This hurts single mothers, seniors, and small businesses. I want the Prime Minister to remove his gas taxes so Canadians can afford to eat.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, if the Prime Minister actually believed that, he would stand up and say it himself. The question was about the 20¢ a litre he adds to the price of gas, including with a tax that takes money out of the pockets of hard-working Canadians to subsidize American biodiesel and biogas firms. In the middle of a trade dispute that the Prime Minister has been unable to solve here at home, he drives up the costs for single moms, seniors and small business people to subsidize the Americans. Enough is enough. There are real problems here at home. Will the Prime Minister take his taxes off gas so Canadians can afford to eat?

Julie Dabrusin, Minister of the Environment, Climate Change and Nature

Liberal
“We care about making life affordable. Our heat pump rebates will save Canadians an average of over $1,000 every year, including people in the Conservative leader's community. Also, a big energy facility right outside his riding benefits from our clean fuel rules.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, we take affordability very seriously. That is why, in fact, many people in the Leader of the Opposition’s community and, frankly, in communities right across the country, are going to be able to, with this heating season, take advantage of the heat pump rebates we have put in place. That is going to be a very tangible way to save Canadians, on average, over $1,000 every single year. These are true savings. If the Leader of the Opposition wants to talk about clean fuel regulations, I am sure he might like to have a conversation with Imperial in Strathcona. It is right outside his riding.

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