Conservatives grilled the Liberals on the carbon tax; Minister MacAulay helped pay tribute to the late Chuck Strahl
The return of MPs to Ottawa after the summer break also means the return of the Farms.com Ag in the House weekly article.
For those new to Ag in the House, Farms.com combs through the question period hansard to see how often MPs raise issues about agriculture, rural communities and related items.
On Sept. 16, the first day back in the House of Commons, the carbon tax came up multiple times as Conservative MPs challenged the federal government to call a “carbon tax election.”
“Instead of a reckless plan to hike the tax to 61¢ a litre, why not allow Canadians to vote to axe the tax?” Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said.
The prime minister responded by reminding the House that eight of every 10 Canadians benefit from the carbon tax rebate.
Another exchange saw Jasraj Singh Hallan, the Conservative MP for Calgary Forest Lawn, cite a Canadian Trucking Alliance report indicating the carbon tax will add $4 billion to trucking costs by 2030.
Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault repeated the talking point about eight of every 10 Canadians getting more money than they pay in carbon taxes.
Conservative MPs continued to grill the Liberals about the carbon tax on Sept. 17.
John Barlow, the Conservative ag critic, for example, said the carbon tax drives up costs for farmers, truckers and food production, and asked for an election to be called.
Jenna Sudds, the minister of families, children and social development, accused the Conservatives of wanting to cut programs that Canadian families rely on.
The House also took time on Sept. 17 to remember the late Chuck Strahl.
Strahl, the Conservative MP representing Chilliwack-Fraser Canyon, passed away on Aug. 13. He served as minister of agriculture in Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s cabinet.
Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Lawrence MacAulay gave remarks about Strahl.
“In addition to serving as a member of Parliament from 1993 to 2011, he also served as minister of agriculture, minister of Indian and northern development and minister of transport.
“These jobs can often be challenging, but he stepped up in service to his country, and I thank him so much for that. Being Minister of Agriculture myself, I know full well what the job entails.
“Serving our farmers, producers and ranchers has been one of the greatest honours of my life, and I am sure Chuck felt the same way,” the minister said.
On Sept. 18, Pierre Poilievre continued his attacks on the Liberals over the cost of the carbon tax.
“He proposes to quadruple the carbon taxes on heat, housing, fuel and food. How much will that take from our GDP?” Poilievre said.
Prime Minister Trudeau defended carbon pricing and its benefit to Canadians, and said the Conservatives are only focused on cuts.
On Sept. 19, Conservatives kept up the pressure on the carbon tax.
Warren Stanley, the Conservative MP for Regina-Lewvan, for example, cited its impact on farmers.
The government’s “destructive carbon tax has made it almost impossible for farmers to make affordable food to put on the tables of Canadians,” he said, before asking the prime minister to call an election.
Arif Virani, the minister of justice and attorney general, responded by again highlighting the benefits Canadians receive from the carbon rebate.
The Conservatives asked more carbon tax questions on Sept. 20.
Tom Kmiec, the Conservative MP for Calgary Shepard, for example, said Canadians told him this summer they are “fed up with the skyrocketing cost of food, gas and housing.”
Ryan Turnbull the parliamentary secretary to the finance minister, said Conservatives “are never cheering for Canada’s success.”