John Barlow

Slower phase-down, production first

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

opposes carbon tax and supports fossil fuel production and pipelines

We can avoid policies such as a federal carbon tax, which would further harm the oil and gas sector. We can renew investor confidence by supporting projects such as the energy east pipeline, which would give Canadian producers access to new markets.

Higher spending and more capability

The other end of this axis: Restrain spending and deployments

supports military deployments against ISIL

This is precisely why our government has deployed the Canadian Armed Forces in the fight against ISIL. Every day we hear new reports of crimes against humanity committed by this terrorist group.

Expand production and export

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

supports pipelines and energy exports over foreign imports

The energy east pipeline is an opportunity to get Canadian products to tidewater and increase our market access in an environmentally safe and sustainable way. Pipelines are not greenhouse gas intensive and are the safest way to transport oil, with a 99.

Provinces lead

The other end of this axis: Ottawa leads

opposes federal overreach and added bureaucracy on provincial matters

Provinces such as Alberta, through the Alberta Energy Regulator and Alberta Environment, already have strong regulatory regimes to measure GHG emissions upstream. In fact, Alberta announced an even more stringent climate change framework in November.

Lower taxes and tighter spending

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

supports balanced budgets, tax relief and reduced spending

Those priorities include returning to a balanced budget in 2015, creating jobs, economic growth, supporting small and medium-sized businesses, and ensuring that hard-working Canadian families have more of their own dollars in their pockets. In fact, the government's commitment to tax relief meant savings of about $3,400 for a typical Canadian family of four in 2014.

More flexibility for employers

The other end of this axis: Stronger unions and standards

supports secret ballot and union accountability over expanded union power

It is also quite ironic that the first piece of legislation from the new government, a government that campaigned quite passionately about openness, transparency and accountability, is a bill that will absolutely gut transparency and accountability in legislation that we put forward for unions. I find that to be incredibly ironic, and I would say another broken promise by the new Liberal government.

Enforcement and sentencing

The other end of this axis: Prevention and restraint

Backs life means life sentencing and common-sense firearms licensing.

By eliminating parole eligibility for high treason and for the most heinous murders, the criminal law amendments in the bill would ensure that the worst offenders would spend the rest of their lives in prison. The bill would help to protect Canadians because it would ensure that the most violent offenders would remain locked up for their entire natural lives.

Deeper continental integration

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

supports large free trade agreements like TPP

Our former Conservative government was committed to continuing to defend our system of supply management in the trans-Pacific partnership, just as we did in all previous trade agreements. We also wanted to ensure that the Canadian agriculture sector, businesses, and our economy gained from the benefits that are part of the trans-Pacific partnership, one of the largest free trade agreements in the world's history.