Dan Muys

Slower phase-down, production first

The other end of this axis: Faster fossil phase-down

Excerpts repeat calls to suspend the carbon tax amid inflation.

We proposed two things that would have brought immediate relief at the pumps: a temporary suspension of the GST on gas and diesel, and a suspension of the carbon tax. These would be things that would actually be tangible in combatting high gas prices, which is what Canadians want and what people in Flamborough—Glanbrook are asking me about every day.

Higher spending and more capability

The other end of this axis: Restrain spending and deployments

Calls for properly equipping armed forces and criticizes inadequate spending on military gear.

How many more billions in interest are going to be accrued, especially as interest rates increase? Would it not be better to spend that on hospital beds or other investments in health care, or infrastructure, or on properly equipping our armed forces at a time of heightened security concerns? As I alluded to earlier, the housing crisis has been engulfing Canadians for some time now, and there is no relief in sight.

Expand production and export

The other end of this axis: Restrict new oil and gas

Excerpts note pipelines are safer and criticize barriers to getting resources out of the ground.

Pipelines are a safer way to ship natural gas and crude oil. We saw what happened in Lac-Mégantic.

Provinces lead

The other end of this axis: Ottawa leads

Excerpts state the need to respect provinces.

We need to respect our provinces and our federal government. I take that to heart.

Lower taxes and tighter spending

The other end of this axis: Higher taxes and public spending

Excerpts repeatedly criticize deficit spending and call for tax relief.

What also worries me is the interest that is accumulating on all this massive debt hole that has been dug. How many more billions in interest are going to be accrued, especially as interest rates increase? Would it not be better to spend that on hospital beds or other investments in health care, or infrastructure, or on properly equipping our armed forces at a time of heightened security concerns? As I alluded to earlier, the housing crisis has been engulfing Canadians for some time now, and there is no relief in sight.

Market supply and deregulation

The other end of this axis: Public supply and demand controls

Excerpts stress the need to build many more homes to address shortages.

In the Hamilton area, we need 110,000 new homes built, of all shapes, sizes and affordability ranges, just to keep pace. Housing inflation is also inflating rents in our region.

Enforcement and sentencing

The other end of this axis: Prevention and restraint

Excerpts criticize soft-on-crime policies and call for addressing repeat offenders.

There is this revolving door, and at least according to one article, two-thirds of the charges were with regard to repeat offenders. There is that revolving door, and that is really what we think should be addressed: bail reform and some of the other aspects that are contributing to the rising crime and the rising violent crime, in addition to what is being proposed here today.