John Barlow says the Liberals are bringing down Canada
During the March 25 session of question period, Conservative Ag Critic John Barlow wondered which Liberal policies have hurt farmers the most.
“Is it the fact that the Liberals are closing seven research centres and firing hundreds of scientists? Is it because we are the only G7 country with a 35% tariff on fertilizer imports? Is it the fuel standard or the industrial carbon tax, which goes up again on April 1?
Which one of these policies is the reason the Prime Minister is an epic failure?” he said.
Julie Dabrusin, the minister for environment and climate change, responded.
She highlighted the measures the government has taken to support farmers.
“Mr. Speaker, if the member would like to talk about farmers, and canola farmers specifically, let us talk about how the clean fuel regulations actually help canola farmers. It adds to the value of a bushel of canola,” she said. ”The Leader of the Opposition may want to speak to some of his constituents. He represents the second-largest canola-producing riding in all of Alberta, and right next to him is the Strathcona renewable diesel facility that is going to purchase about half of Alberta's canola production. That is good for farmers.”
Barlow’s rebuttal suggested Liberal policies aren’t clear, making them complicated for Canadians to follow and creating challenges for Canadians.
“Will the Liberals realize that it is their own policies that are causing these problems? Will they cancel their fuel tax, their industrial carbon tax and their escalator tax and help make Canadians' life more affordable?” he asked.
Agriculture Minister Heath MacDonald replied.
The industrial carbon tax’s effects on food is minimal, he said.
“If the member goes out and buys an F-150 Ford tomorrow from the highest emissions contributor of steel and aluminum in this country, I can tell him that he can go back to the Leader of the Opposition and get his triple-triple, because it is cheaper than what it is costing us in GHG emissions,” the minister told the House.