Dave Epp

Slower phase-down, production first

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

Excerpts repeat calls for carbon tax exemptions on farm fuels and praise agricultural innovation and stewardship despite rising production.

This budget does include some provisions for up $100 million for rebates from the carbon tax for on-farm natural gas and propane use. At the agriculture and agri-food committee, we are presently finishing a review of Bill C-206, sponsored by my colleague, the MP for Northumberland—Peterborough South, which proposes an exemption from the carbon tax for on-farm propane and natural gas.

Expand production and export

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

Excerpts repeat emphasis on stable agricultural emissions despite production increases and innovation allowing continued output.

Parry, I believe you said in your testimony that agricultural greenhouse gas emissions have been stable since 2005. What does that tell you about the rising production from agriculture since then? With rising greenhouse gas emissions from virtually every other segment of our society, what does that tell you about the innovation and environmental stewardship of the agricultural community?

Provinces lead

The other end of this axis: Ottawa leads

Excerpts criticize federal overreach in Emergencies Act and note provincial trespassing laws and municipal roles.

The fundamental question that the government has put before us today is this: Do we believe that the public emergency act is the right tool for right now? Has the rightfully high threshold for a public order emergency been met? If the question is how we remove the protest, the blockade, the occupation that was encamped outside these doors, then should the question not be to ask what enforcement tools current legislation lacks to address the illegal activities outside this House? Let me be clear: Illegally parking a semi, excessively blowing horns and harassment all contravene bylaws, but these violations are subject to fines, towing, injunctions and existing remedies under existing laws, provincially and municipally, and under existing law enforcement.

Lower taxes and tighter spending

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

Excerpts repeat opposition to high debt, deficits and new spending, warning of higher future taxes.

According to Stats Canada, before my granddaughter turns one year old, her share of the federal debt will be over $39,000. What is Minister Morneau's fiscal plan for Canada so that the interest on this debt doesn't cripple Canada with higher taxes?

Assertive alliances and sanctions

The other end of this axis: Alliance restraint

Excerpts support sanctions on Russia and aid for Ukraine.

The first recommendation I will touch upon is recommendation 12: That the Government of Canada not grant a sanctions waiver to Siemens Energy Canada Limited for Nord Stream 1 pipeline turbines as long as sanctions remain in effect. Last December, the natural resources minister said that Canada was revoking the exemptions to sanctions that allowed a Montreal company to repair turbines for the natural gas pipeline operated by the Russian state-owned energy giant Gazprom.

Market supply and deregulation

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

Excerpts state basic laws of supply and demand apply and call for more houses built rather than taxes.

How many people will face an even greater pressure on their personal finances when it comes to renewing their home mortgage? The main solution of course lies in the basic laws of supply and demand. We need more houses built, not more taxes, and not more spending, which only drive the inflationary cycle.

Lower intake

The other end of this axis: Higher permanent intake

Excerpts criticize numbers exceeding one million per year and call for returning to 300,000-500,000 range.

That consensus was broken when the numbers skyrocketed past one million per year for three years. That was not fair to the immigrants coming in, and it is not fair to Canadians who then faced housing, medical and other shortages in this country.

More flexibility for employers

The other end of this axis: Stronger unions and standards

Excerpts support temporary foreign worker program and discuss bill restricting replacement workers in context of opposition.

Conservatives will always stand up for Canadian workers. In fact, we tabled a motion in November at the House's government operations committee to compel the government to be transparent with Canadians once and for all, and publish the contracts for the two battery plant deals, as well as the three others that have received a promise of federal subsidies.

Enforcement and sentencing

The other end of this axis: Prevention and restraint

Excerpts emphasize law and order, existing enforcement tools and accountability for violent crime.

We need the enforcement of existing laws that target the violent. Bill C-9 is not about stopping crime.