Heather McPherson

Defend supply management

The other end of this axis: Liberalize supply management

Calls supply-managed dairy a loser from trade deals and criticizes assaults on the sector.

Madam Speaker, one of the biggest losers in the CUSMA is the supply-managed dairy sector as the member said. Along with concessions and CPTPP, this latest hit means a 10% loss of market share to Canadian producers. Could the member speak about whether the Conservatives support the supply-managed dairy sector and if so, why they have supported every assault on the sector over the last five years?

Faster fossil phase-down

The other end of this axis: Slower phase-down, production first

Calls climate change the most profound threat and urges transition away from oil and gas dependence.

Climate change is real. In fact, climate change is the most profound threat of our time and we cannot stick our head in the sand and pretend otherwise. As the world reckons with global climate change and turns away from fossil fuels to lower carbon forms of energy, Alberta is facing an economic calamity and instead of taking climate change seriously, instead of showing global investors that Alberta has a legitimate and robust climate strategy, a strategy that corporations like Cenovus, Shell and Total have called for, Jason Kenney and the Conservatives just keep yelling like spoiled children that it is not fair.

Restrict new oil and gas

The other end of this axis: Expand production and export

Rejects renewal of oil and gas, calls for diversification and criticizes dependence on the sector.

I asked for our government to stop misleading Albertans, to stop telling us that there was going to be some sort of renewal of oil and gas and that it was coming back to $95 a barrel. I asked why the government is failing on diversification and failing to support Alberta workers.

Ottawa leads

The other end of this axis: Provinces lead

Excerpts criticize provincial government inaction and support federal intervention on child care and other files.

We are talking about the idea of ensuring that this program is available across the country, ensuring that every Canadian, and from my perspective as a representative of Alberta, particularly Albertans, is able to access quality child care, not in concert with our premier and our provincial government but despite our provincial government. This is the state of affairs that we are in.

Tighter prudential rules

The other end of this axis: Lighter capital rules and more competition

Calls for government price caps on telecom instead of self-regulation.

On top of all this, Canadians are still paying some of the highest fees for cellphones and Internet bills in the world because the government refuses to do what is right and put the needs of people ahead of the demands of the telecom industry. No matter where people live in Canada, they should be able to stay connected without breaking the bank.

Higher taxes and public spending

The other end of this axis: Lower taxes and tighter spending

Supports dental coverage and higher benefits over tax breaks for higher earners.

They can provide a tax break to people who are making more than $90,000 a year or they can offer dental coverage to families making less than $90,0000 annually. In fact, if I were the Liberals, I would be jumping at the chance to support an opportunity to work so well for Canadians.

Expand public coverage

The other end of this axis: More private delivery

Excerpts repeatedly advocate for national pharmacare, dental care and stronger public health systems.

Today we are here to speak about Bill C-64. Today is, as my leader, the member for Burnaby South mentioned, historic. It is not just historic because of pharmacare. I do want give a shout-out to the Edmonton Oilers, who are now going to the Stanley Cup finals as of yesterday.

Public supply and demand controls

The other end of this axis: Market supply and deregulation

Excerpts call for public builders, non-profit and co-op housing, tenant protections and declare a national housing emergency.

Housing is a human right. We need public builders, real investment in non-profit and co-op housing, strong tenant protections, indigenous housing led by indigenous communities and homes people can actually afford. The Liberals do not get it.

Stronger unions and standards

The other end of this axis: More flexibility for employers

Pushes for paid sick leave, higher benefits and criticizes employer lockouts using subsidies.

Madam Chair, will companies that have locked out their workers be able to access the wage subsidy? Would you consider changing the criteria to ensure the program is not enabling employers to pay for replacement labour?

Diversify away from one partner

The other end of this axis: Deeper continental integration

Warns against trade war with US and over-reliance on single market for energy exports.

Alberta does not need a trade war with the United States. Alberta needs jobs now and a path to the future. No one was surprised when President Biden cancelled the Keystone XL pipeline expansion.