Pierre Poilievre pressed the government on high diesel prices affecting farmers
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre used some of his time during question period on Oct. 5 to pressure the government on high diesel prices affecting farmers, and asked if the prime minister will take action.
He cited a news article from Quebec where a farmer is paying an extra $2,000 just for diesel this fall.
“Is the Prime Minister going to vote for our Conservative plan to lower costs today and become more self-sufficient in the future?” he asked.
The plan Poilievre mentioned calls on the government to remove all federal taxes on diesel sales until Canada Day 2027.
Public Works Minister Joël Lightbound’s response didn’t address the question.
Instead, he highlighted Poilievre’s voting record on Liberal policies.
Rachael Thomas, the Conservative MP for Lethbridge, continued to pressure the Liberals on diesel prices and how they affect farmers.
She reminded the House that multiple steps along the food supply chain from farm to store shelves require diesel and invited the government to support the Conservative plan.
In response, Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Heath MacDonald told the House geopolitical issues are contributing to high diesel costs, and the government is committed to supporting farmers.
When Thomas asked a second question about high diesel prices, Environment Minister Julie Dabrusin responded by highlighting how about 50 per cent of Alberta canola will be used at the Imperial Strathcona facility to create renewable fuels.
On Oct. 6, Conservatives continued to invite the Liberals to support their plan to lower fuel prices for farmers.
Conservative Ag Critic John Barlow told fellow MPs about farmers in P.E.I. experiencing up to $19,000 in additional fuel costs for one month, and asked the government to cut taxes on diesel.
Minister MacDonald’s response highlighted investments into the ag sector, like the $370 million biofuels production incentive program.
Carol Anstey, the Conservative MP for Long Range Mountains, had a similar example to Barlow’s.
A farmer in her community expects her diesel bill to reach $135,000 this year.
Fisheries Minister Joanna Thompson told Anstey she could vote for Bill C-38 to extend the excise tax relief on diesel to support her constituents.
Sask. MP Jeremy Patzer and Quebec MP Jacques Gourde also told the House about how high diesel costs are affecting local farmers.
“When will the Liberal government finally confront the skyrocketing cost of energy and give our farmers a break?” Gourde said.
Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne said Gourde and his colleagues could support Bill C-38.
Another series of exchanges saw Conservative MPs Shannon Stubbs and Leslyn Lewis identify farmer struggles related to high diesel costs.
In response to Lewis, Secretary of State Wayne Long said current government measures are saving Canadians about 28 cents per litre.
Andrew Scheer, the Conservative MP for Regina—Qu’Appelle, wanted answers about research farms.
The government needs to preserve the Indian Head research farm and its data instead of spending wastefully, he said.
Minister MacDonald told the House operations of the seed increase unit will continue at the research farm for the 2027 season, including forage and wheat.
The pressure on the Liberals to support the Conservative fuel relief plan continued to mount on Oct. 7.
Multiple MPs, including Eric Lefebvre from Richmond—Arthabaska—des Sources, told the House about one farmer expecting this diesel bill to double this year.
In response, Daniel Gobeil, the parliamentary secretary to Minister MacDonald, invited opposition MPs to support Bill C-38.
Dominque O’Rourke, the Liberal MP for Guelph, asked the ag minister to explain how the $1 billion food-link fund will support the Canadian food supply chain.
The minister told the House government investments will result in “more choice, more Canada and more control.”
On Oct. 8, Liberals used part of question period to highlight their own work related to ag.
Jessica Fancy, the MP for South Shore—St. Margarets, asked Minister MacDonald to highlight Bill S-7 and how it’ll help farmers.
“We are taking steps to make it easier to streamline assessments for important agriculture products, reduce administrative burdens, transfer farms from one generation to the next and remove long-standing age restrictions,” the minister said. “These are practical changes that farmers have been asking for for some time.”
And on Oct. 9, Conservative MPs wanted answers related to the Alto project.
Jacques Gourde told MPs the House ag committee learned that Alto has been signing agreements with stakeholders “with the objective of accelerating the expropriation of agricultural land along the route.”
He asked the government is a 30-day termination clause begins from the date of signature or from the day the notice is served.
Carlos Leitão, the parliamentary secretary to the minister of industry, didn’t answer the question, instead promoting the project as one for the future that will create jobs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.