Taxation

During question period on taxation, members exchanged views on fuel taxes and diesel prices. The Conservatives, citing diesel prices they said were 25 cents a litre above the U.S. and global average, urged the government to support their motion to remove all taxes on diesel until at least July 1, 2027 and to permanently end certain fuel taxes, saying this would cut prices by at least 20 cents a litre and help lower food and goods costs. Liberal ministers pointed to higher Canadian diesel production and a recent three-cent drop in prices, and called on the Conservatives to vote for Bill C-38, the Canadian Fuel Affordability Act, which would extend the temporary fuel excise tax exemption and later set excise rates at half the regular level, arguing it would help farmers, truckers, and families. Each side urged the other to support its own proposal rather than the other’s.Written by AI from the debate. Updated .

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6 statements

Pierre Poilievre, Leader of the Opposition

Conservative
“Canadians pay 25 cents a litre more for diesel than other countries because of government taxes and laws. Grocery prices are still too high. I want the government to vote for our motion to remove all taxes on diesel.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, if only screaming, hollering and the minister’s finger in the air could lower grocery prices by Thanksgiving, everyone would be eating for free, but in reality, they are paying more than ever. In fact, today, Canadians are paying 25¢ a litre more for diesel than the U.S. and global averages because of Liberal taxes, a weak Liberal dollar and Liberal laws that prevent us from refining diesel for every Canadian. Will they vote today for our motion to get rid of all the taxes on diesel so that we can save Canadians money and bring home our jobs?

Tim Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources

Liberal
“Canadian diesel production is up, and diesel prices are going down. The member should vote for our bill to keep fuel taxes lower.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, I have some good news. Canadian diesel production is up 16% this year. More good news is that diesel prices have gone down three cents in the last several days. I have even more good news. If the member wants to actually help, he can vote for Bill C-38 and extend the excise tax exemption.

Pierre Poilievre, Leader of the Opposition

Conservative
“A three-cent drop in fuel prices is not enough when diesel costs have doubled. High fuel prices make food and basic goods cost more because trucks deliver everything. I want the Liberals to vote for our plan today to lower costs and save people money.”
  • Opposition question in Question Period

    Respect 61 of 100

    This statement targeted a person rather than their actions or views: “the Prime Minister's beloved Europe”.

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, that is good news? Three cents a litre is the good news he announces after prices are up 100% and have risen to the highest place anywhere in the world outside of the Prime Minister’s beloved Europe. It is not good news to have three cents off. We need to bring diesel prices down so that we can lower the cost of food, appliances and basic essentials. Everything that we have comes in a truck. Conservatives have a plan to lower the cost and repatriate the production. The Liberals can vote on it today. Will they vote to save Canadians money?

François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Finance and National Revenue

Liberal
“I want the Conservatives to vote for this bill to pause the fuel tax. It will give quick help to farmers, truckers, and families across the country.”
  • Government answer in Question Period

    Signal 29 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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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, Canadians know that the Leader of the Opposition likes to talk, but now he will have a test. Will he walk the talk? Instead of presenting a motion to oppose, I have a suggestion for him and his entire bench. Why do they not vote for farmers? Why do they not vote for truckers? Why do they not vote for families? Why do they not vote for Canada one day? They could vote for Bill C-38 and extend the suspension of the fuel tax. That is an immediate measure that would help all of Canada. Will they vote for Canada once and for all?

Pierre Poilievre, Leader of the Opposition

Conservative

Linked statement

“This bill does not do enough. I want the government to vote for our plan instead. We want to take all taxes off fuel until at least July 2027 and cancel other fuel taxes forever. Our plan cuts diesel prices by at least 20 cents a litre and helps Canada make and use its own energy.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, we want to vote to get all taxes off fuel until at least July 1, 2027, and get rid of the worst Liberal taxes on fuel forever. That would be the way to vote for farmers, for truckers and for Canadians. We have a motion before the House of Commons today to reduce the price of diesel by at least 20¢ a litre, bring production back to Canada, supply our markets with our own energy and have a strategic reserve. Will the Prime Minister vote to save Canadians money and be masters in our own house here in Canada?

François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Finance and National Revenue

Liberal
“The Leader of the Opposition should stop talking and vote for this bill. It pauses the federal fuel tax to help farmers, families, and truckers.”
  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 33 of 100

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

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, Canadians watching at home know that the Leader of the Opposition likes to talk, talk, talk, but I have an idea for him. Today, instead of talking, he can take action. He can take action to help farmers across the country. He can take action to help families across the country. He can take action to help truckers across the country. I have a great idea for him. Today, he even has a chance to show it to Canadians by voting in favour of Bill C-38 to extend the suspension of the federal gas legislation. Will he vote in favour of Canadians for once?

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