The Conservatives say Liberal taxes are making food unaffordable
MPs brought up ag and related issues multiple times during last week’s question period.
On Oct. 20, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre asked if the Liberals would remove four taxes to make food more affordable for Canadians.
“They now have four inflationary taxes that apply to groceries: the industrial carbon tax on fertilizer and farm equipment, the tax on grocery packaging, the tax on diesel fuel and, finally, the inflation tax. Canadians can no longer afford to pay their food bills,” he said “Will the government finally get rid of these Liberal taxes so Canadians can eat?”
Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon fielded the question but didn’t provide a direct answer.
On Oct. 22, a Quebec MP asked about supply management.
Bloc Leader Yves-François Blanchet asked Prime Minister Carney for assurances for protecting supply management after the government backed down on its digital services tax.
“Can he assure us that supply management will be fully protected, including processing, and that the percentages will be respected, without any compromise?”
The prime minister told the House the Liberals “will protect supply management in the negotiations. We will always protect Quebec culture and Canadian culture in the negotiations, period.”
Poilievre then took aim at the Liberals over the carbon tax and its domino effects.
“Does (the prime minister) not know that there is steel in farm tractors, farm combines, farm bins and other farm equipment? Does he not think, for God's sake, that those costs get passed on to consumers?”
Minister MacKinnon answered the question by saying “these are imaginary taxes.”
Poilievre then asked about the fuel standard and how increased fuel costs could trickle down.
The tax “is going to increase the cost of fuel by 17¢ on the farmers and truckers who bring us our food. Does he really expect consumers to believe that will not cost them as well?”
Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu answered the question by highlighting how Conservatives have voted on recent issues.
Also on Oct. 22, Poilievre asked about Canadian relations with China and how canola farmers are affected.
Poilievre asked why the prime minister “has sold out our farmers and rewarded foreign dictatorships that target them with tariffs?”
Agriculture Minister Heath MacDonald answered the question.
He reaffirmed the government’s work to support farmers.
“Mr. Speaker, our new government was elected to expand and diversify our international trade with reliable partners. We are in a volatile global economy,” the minister said. “We are defending our trade interests, we are expanding into new markets and we are working alongside our farmers in every aspect.”