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Taxation

During Question Period, the topic of taxation came up through questions about high gas prices. Conservative member Rhonda Kirkland said gas prices in Oshawa were high because of government taxes, including the carbon tax, and asked the government to pause the gas tax for a year and support Canadian oil and gas production. Liberal members replied that the government has cut income taxes and lowered taxes on fuel, carbon, alcohol, and business investments. Liberal minister Steven MacKinnon said high oil prices were mainly due to conflict in the Middle East and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which took about one fifth of global oil supply off the market, and noted Canada had reduced fuel taxes by 28 cents over the past year.Written by AI from the debate. Updated .

Official text

5 statements

Rhonda Kirkland

Conservative
“Gas is too expensive because of government taxes. I want the Prime Minister to cut the gas tax for the whole year.”

  • Opposition question in Question Period

    Respect 76 of 100

    This statement targeted a person rather than their actions or views: “the Prime Minister of illusions”.

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister of illusions delivers more of the same, including more costs and more carbon taxes, because he is just another Liberal. Last week in Oshawa, gas hit 189.9¢. Before these Liberal illusionists start blaming global factors yet again, let us be clear that, under the Conservatives 12 years ago, when world oil prices were the same, gas in Oshawa was almost 50¢ cheaper. This is a Liberal legacy. When will the Prime Minister stop delivering illusions and instead adopt our plan to reduce all the gas tax for the entire year?

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Ryan Turnbull

Liberal
“Conservatives only complain about high prices, but our government is actually lowering costs. We cut income taxes for 22 million Canadians and lowered taxes on fuel, carbon, alcohol, and business investments.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 45 of 100

    None of this answer addressed the specific question that was asked.

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  • Government answer in Question Period

    Clarity 49 of 100

    Much of this statement used imprecise wording, lacked details on timing or responsibility, or made broad claims without support.

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  • A repeated line

    “We have suspended the excise tax on fuel.”

    Said 3 times by 2 members since May 6.

    Every time it was said
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, perhaps I should say that, if we are focused on illusions, the Conservatives are delusional. I am thinking of a group therapist I could refer to them. While Conservatives wail and scream in the House every day and claim to care about affordability, our government is taking tangible measures and steps toward cutting taxes and alleviating the cost of living pressures on Canadians. We have suspended the excise tax on fuel, cut the consumer carbon tax, cut the income tax for 22 million Canadians, capped the excise tax on alcohol, cut taxes for mineral and critical mineral exploration, cut taxes for businesses to invest in—

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Rhonda Kirkland

Conservative
“High gas prices are caused by the carbon tax and our weak economy, not global oil prices. I want the government to support Canadian oil and gas to lower costs.”

  • Opposition question in Question Period

    Respect 85 of 100

    This statement targeted a person rather than their actions or views: “he is clearly not living in the real world”.

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  • A repeated line

    “Unblock our oil and gas production and make Canada affordable and strong.”

    Said 3 times by 3 members since May 5.

    Every time it was said
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, the member for Whitby can call me delusional, but he is clearly not living in the real world. If global oil prices were the same 12 years ago, and Canadians were paying 45¢ less, then they clearly do not explain today’s sky-high gas prices. Our gas prices are a made-in-Canada problem, driven by the Liberals’ newly named carbon tax and a weak dollar caused by a weak economy. Will the Liberals take our common-sense plan, unblock our oil and gas production and make Canada affordable and strong at home?

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Steven MacKinnon

Liberal
“Gas prices are high because of a war in Iran. They do not seem to understand this.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, the reason for high gas prices is a war in Iran. They do not seem to understand this— Some hon. members: Oh, oh!

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Steven MacKinnon

Liberal

Linked statement

“Oil prices are up because of conflict in the Middle East, which took one fifth of the world's oil off the market. Meanwhile, Canada cut fuel taxes by 28 cents over the past year to lower prices.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 100 of 100

    Of this answer, 100% addressed the question that was asked.

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, the Conservatives appear to have omitted the basic fact of why oil prices have spiked, and that is that we have a conflict in the Middle East, in Iran. The Strait of Hormuz is presently closed, taking 20% of global oil capacity off of the market. Canada, for its part, has reduced the price of fuel by reducing taxes by 28¢ over the last year.

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