Garnett Genuis

Slower phase-down, production first

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

Repeats that emissions went down under previous Conservative government while economy grew.

I am proud to note that under the previous Conservative government, greenhouse gas emissions went down. I wish the Liberals were applauding.

Higher spending and more capability

The other end of this axis: Restrain spending and deployments

Supports air support, training, satellite imagery for Ukraine, and NATO investments to reach 2%.

We need to have a long-term plan to get to 2%. In fact, the government's first throne speech talked about creating a leaner military.

Expand production and export

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

Supports pipelines, upgrading capacity and exporting more oil and gas to displace Russian products.

As nation with a very different economy in many ways from that of Russia, but also one that is a natural resource-producing country, Canada has an immense amount of potential to see the critical role we can play in the context of supporting Ukraine in its fight. It's to enable our democratic partners to impose tougher energy-related sanctions against the Putin regime. We can enable them to do that by exporting more of our oil and gas products to Europe and to the Asia-Pacific. We have these long debates about pipelines and process in this country.

Provinces lead

The other end of this axis: Ottawa leads

States belief in subsidiarity allowing provinces to operate without undue influence.

As a Conservative, I believe deeply in the principle of subsidiarity, that we should allow provinces and municipalities to operate in their own areas of jurisdiction without undue influence. However, this bill would create a mechanism for collaboration between different jurisdictions.

Lower taxes and tighter spending

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

Repeats opposition to deficits and praise for prior GST cuts and lower taxes.

We also cut the lowest marginal tax rate. This is a very different approach from that of the current government. In my view, the best way to measure inequality is through something called “intergenerational earnings elasticity”, which is the ability of people to move between different income brackets across generations.

Assertive alliances and sanctions

The other end of this axis: Alliance restraint

Advocates strengthening military ties with Ukraine and human rights pressure on Russia.

Number two is that the government needs to strengthen military co-operation with Ukraine. We hear a lot from members of the government about the need to be engaged as a strategic partner with Ukraine.

More flexibility for employers

The other end of this axis: Stronger unions and standards

Opposes ban on replacement workers in multiple excerpts.

Banning replacement workers would have a significant negative impact on the economy, and particularly on remote communities, which rely on the access that small trucking companies, for example, might provide.

Enforcement and sentencing

The other end of this axis: Prevention and restraint

Supports tough and variable sentences and highlights rising crime statistics under current policies.

A criminal justice policy that fully affirms human dignity, recognizing personal responsibility for crime and the ability to change, would assign sentences that are both tough and variable. Tough and variable sentences is an approach that ensures people who are rehabilitated can get back into society and contribute.

Deeper continental integration

The other end of this axis: Diversify away from one partner

Supports CETA, Ukraine deal, and Canada-US trade expansion.

Studies have suggested that this deal could lead to a 20% increase in bilateral trade and a $12 billion annual increase in the Canadian economy. This would be the equivalent of adding $1,000 to the average Canadian family's income, or almost 80,000 new jobs to the Canadian economy.