Business of the House

The weekly Thursday question on upcoming House business. Conservative House leader Andrew Scheer asked the government to extend the temporary suspension of the federal fuel excise tax past January, scrap the clean fuel regulations, and approve new energy projects. Government House leader Steven MacKinnon outlined the schedule: debate on an infrastructure bill through the coming days, opposition days on Tuesday and Thursday, and debate on the First Nations clean water bill next Friday, saying the government would keep working on affordability but would address the major projects question separately.Written by AI from the debate. Updated .

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2 statements

Andrew Scheer, Regina—Qu'Appelle

Conservative

Linked statement

“I want the government to tell us what work we will do in the House. I want them to extend the gas tax cut past January, get rid of the clean fuel rules, and actually build new energy projects.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, the long summertime drought of Thursday questions finally comes to an end. I know much relief is felt not just in the parliamentary precinct but across the land. I would like to take this opportunity to welcome the government House leader back after what I am sure was a very busy summer for us all as we were out in our constituencies meeting with Canadians, hearing directly about their concerns and now bringing their issues back here to Parliament. I would like to ask the government House leader if during his travels this summer, he heard from Canadians who want to move past the rhetoric to results and who want the government to actually save them money. We know the government has conceded that gas taxes take a big bite out of the economy and hurt affordability. In order to save Canadians money, will he finally agree to the Conservative plan and not just have a temporary reprieve of the gas tax until January, as we saw with Bill C-38? Are there any plans for the government to make that last longer, all the way to Canada Day? Now that the government has conceded the principle that gas taxes hurt the economy, will it abandon the fuel standard tax and bring in legislation to repeal it? Finally, after all the photo ops, rhetoric and bluster, will there be a single new project that has gone through the Major Projects Office or benefited from the unprecedented powers of Bill C-5? Will we finally get to see things built, or was this summer of press conferences and MOUs just a bunch of political theatre?

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

Liberal
“Here is the House schedule. We will debate the infrastructure bill today, tomorrow, and on Monday and Wednesday after our break. Next Tuesday and Thursday will be opposition days. Next Friday, we will debate the First Nations clean water bill. Our government will keep working to make life affordable, but I will answer the question about major projects later.”
  • Government answer in Question Period

    Signal 16 of 100

    Much of this statement went to praise, blame, greetings, routine procedure or general stories rather than reasons, requests or specific points.

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  • Government answer in Question Period

    Clarity 19 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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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, I want to extend my own welcome back to Parliament to my colleague across the floor. I know that this particular slot in the week keeps people on the edge of their seats rapt, as we do the Thursday question at this time every week. This is season two, episode one, and we do have to leave some cliffhangers, in the best TV tradition. I have taken careful note of the requests of my friend, the opposition House leader. He can be sure that we will continue to find ways to make life more affordable for Canadians, and prolonging the excise tax relief is an important step. As for the war in Iran, any increase in revenue that the government may have derived from it, we are returning to Canadians. With respect to major projects, that is where we will leave the cliffhanger. As we return for the next episode, the opposition House Leader may have a different question to ask. This afternoon and tomorrow, we will continue with the second reading debate of Bill C-39, the building Canada strong act. When we return after spending a week in our ridings, we will resume consideration of that bill on Monday and Wednesday. I would also like to inform the House that Tuesday, October 6, and Thursday, October 8, shall be allotted days. Finally, Friday will be devoted to the second reading debate of Bill C-37, the first nations clean water act. Thank you and welcome back, Mr. Speaker. It is good to see you again, too.

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