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Taxation

During question period on taxation, Conservatives asked the government to remove federal fuel taxes for a year, saying rising gas, grocery and energy prices are making life unaffordable. Liberals said they are responding to global economic uncertainty and pointed to measures such as income tax cuts, benefits for seniors and families, and dental and child care programs. Conservatives also asked the government to direct the CRTC to cancel an increase in its tax on streaming services, arguing it would raise prices and affect trade with the United States; Liberals said it is not a new tax, that it applies existing rules fairly to support Canadian culture, and that broadcasting rules should reflect streaming.Written by AI from the debate. Updated .

Official text

8 statements

Rhonda Kirkland

Conservative
“Canadians are struggling with high prices for gas, food, and rent. The government should remove all federal fuel taxes for the whole year to lower costs.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, once again, Canadians are not asking for excuses or these so-called half measures that the Liberals mention. They deserve relief. Every time my neighbours in Oshawa fill up their tank, buy groceries or pay rent, they feel the impact of Liberal inflation. The Conservatives have a real plan to put money back into Canadians’ pockets by removing all federal fuel taxes for all the year to bring the costs down immediately at the pump and across the entire economy. Will the Prime Minister finally adopt this common-sense plan and give Canadians a break?

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Stephanie McLean

Liberal
“We listen to Canadians and understand the global economic challenges they face. We are acting responsibly by protecting seniors from fraud and keeping their social programs strong. We are also giving single seniors nearly $950 for groceries and essentials.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 21 of 100

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

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, we hear no common sense from the other side, and perhaps that is because they do not speak to Canadians. Over here we are hearing from Canadians regularly, and they know that Canada faces a profound global economic uncertainty right now. That is why we are responding with responsible measures, like protecting seniors from fraud and making the social programs that they rely on efficient and resilient to global shocks. For example, the groceries and essentials benefit will give single seniors almost $950 back in their pockets. This is what it means to be fiscally responsible managers, investing in the public.

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Ned Kuruc

Conservative

Linked statement

“Prices for gas, food, and energy are going up, and people in my community cannot afford it. The government should remove all federal fuel taxes this year to help. When will they do that?”

  • A repeated line

    “The Prime Minister is just another Liberal.”

    Said 22 times by 14 members since April 23.

    Every time it was said
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, it is more cost, more taxes, more debt, more on the national credit card, more of the same. The Prime Minister is just another costly Liberal with nothing to show for his waste. Gas prices surged 28.6% in April, grocery prices were up 3.8% in April and energy prices rose 19.2%. My community is being squeezed, and they cannot pay more. Conservatives have a real plan to give Canadians relief from Liberal inflation by removing all federal fuel taxes for the year. On what day will the Liberals adopt it?

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Adam van Koeverden

Liberal
“The Conservatives voted against programs that help Canadians afford life. This includes dental care, child care, school food, and money for families.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 44 of 100

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

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, perhaps the member for Hamilton East—Stoney Creek should talk to the 10,600-plus people in his riding who have accessed dental care that he and his party voted against. Perhaps he should talk to the over 20,700 families that access the Canada child benefit and the benefits that this government has put on the table to fight for affordability that he and his party consistently vote against. Whether it is child care, a national school food program or improvements in recreation facilities, the Conservatives have voted against every single measure to improve the lives of Canadians, including those in Hamilton East—Stoney Creek.

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Rachael Thomas

Conservative
“The CRTC is raising a tax on streaming services, which will make them cost more for Canadians. Regulators do not have the power to create taxes; only Parliament can do that. I want the government to tell the CRTC to cancel this tax increase.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, last week the CRTC announced that it will be tripling the online streaming tax from 5% to 15%. This tax will now drive up the cost that consumers pay for things like Netflix or Disney+. Just this weekend, Spotify announced that, taking effect in July, they will be increasing their prices. For over 800 years, it has been parliamentary tradition that only Parliament imposes a tax. Regulators like the CRTC do not have the authority to do that. Will this government speak to the CRTC and make it reverse course?

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David Myles

Liberal
“This is not a new tax. Our government cut taxes for 22 million Canadians to help with the cost of living. This decision just applies existing rules fairly to protect Canadian culture.”

  • A repeated line

    “We cut taxes for 22 million Canadians.”

    Said 17 times by 12 members since April 27.

    Every time it was said
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, let me be very clear, this is not a new tax. This is an imaginary tax, once again brought up in the House. Our government is relentlessly focused on the cost of living for Canadians. That is why we cut taxes for 22 million Canadians. This decision from the CRTC only ensures that existing rules are applied in a way that fosters fair competition. This is about protecting Canada’s distinct culture and identity, and ensuring the vitality of our cultural sectors.

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Rachael Thomas

Conservative
“This tax costs Canadians money and hurts our trade deal with the United States. The government must cancel it to protect our jobs and trade.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, a tax is a tax is a tax. He can call it whatever he wants, but at the end of the day Canadians pay more. That is a tax. This tax will do much more than just cost Canadians. It will actually impact us in terms of our negotiations with regards to CUSMA. The Liberal government has already been accused of escalating this irritant. It has already been signalled by the U.S. that this will in fact hinder us in terms of getting a deal, a deal that the Prime Minister promised to get for us months ago and has failed to deliver. Will this Liberal government cancel this costly tax, protect our trade relationship with the United States, protect Canadian jobs, protect trade and get it done?

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David Myles

Liberal
“These taxes are not real. People stream shows now instead of just watching TV, and our rules need to match how people watch things today.”

  • 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, again, what we are talking about here are imaginary taxes. Once again, the way that Canadians consume content over the last decade has changed entirely. People are streaming content. It is not only with broadcasters. It is important that our regulatory regime reflect that change.

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