John Williamson

Slower phase-down, production first

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

Excerpts repeat opposition to carbon tax as job-killing and price-raising, favoring production.

Our government will continue to stand up against the NDP's plan to impose a job-killing carbon tax on Canadians that would raise the price of everything, things like gasoline, home heating fuel and groceries.

Expand production and export

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

Excerpts repeatedly criticize efforts to shut down oil sands, nuclear and shale gas development.

Here at home, it attacks our energy sector, lobbying to shut down the oil sands and with that, the hundreds of thousands of Canadians who earn a living in them. NDP members also oppose the nuclear part of the energy sector, a sector that is important to my riding of New Brunswick Southwest.

Provinces lead

The other end of this axis: Ottawa leads

Excerpts question federal oversight and urge provinces to address health challenges with stable funding.

What's our responsibility, do you think, in terms of setting priorities that lock provinces into areas they might not want to be in, particularly with the comments that the last accord might have missed on a few markers? If there's no perfect solution, is our approach to encourage provinces to address these and ensure that the funding is stable, and they take up innovation and look around not only Canada, North America, but the world for solutions? This would probably be a question to the CMA, but I'd be curious to hear from others as well.

Lower taxes and tighter spending

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

Excerpts repeatedly advocate lower taxes, tax cuts and against new taxes like carbon pricing.

We want to cut the tax burden, not raise taxes and cut opportunity. We want to lower the tax rates on all families, all the way up the income ladder, so each of us will have a greater incentive to work harder, climb higher and help Canada grow. I am proud to sit as a government member and I look forward to implementing our low-tax, low-debt agenda to ensure Canada remains the envy of the world and a creator of wealth and opportunity for all Canadians.

Assertive alliances and sanctions

The other end of this axis: Alliance restraint

Backs sanctions on Russia and Uighur perpetrators and continued support for Ukraine.

Humanitarian and military aid has been promised and provided to Ukraine, punishing economic sanctions have been imposed on Russia and soldiers have been positioned along NATO’s eastern front.

More private delivery

The other end of this axis: Expand public coverage

Excerpts note innovative private health care reforms in Quebec and suggest federal government should not block them.

When you talk about federal oversight in Quebec, for example, where some rather innovative reforms are being made to tap into private health care, but all within the barrel of the medicare system, is that an area where you think the federal government should be applauding them or putting up roadblocks as they experiment to meet their health care needs in a way that fits within the budget of Quebec?

More flexibility for employers

The other end of this axis: Stronger unions and standards

Excerpts criticize high public sector wages and benefits compared to private sector.

Canada Post members receive, on average at the top year, seven weeks of vacation. Their wages are 17% higher than they are in equivalent jobs in the private sector. If the solution is higher wages for all, or equal benefits at the high end for all, how on earth does the opposition suggest we pay for this? I do not think it is up to taxpayers across the country to pay for these lavish benefits.

Enforcement and sentencing

The other end of this axis: Prevention and restraint

Excerpts repeatedly back tougher sentences and criticize opposition to crime measures.

The safe streets and communities act would impose tougher sentences on pedophiles, drug dealers and the most violent young offenders. Meanwhile, the opposition wants to treat honest farmers and duck hunters like fugitives, but it opposes tougher sentences for dangerous criminals.

Deeper continental integration

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

Excerpts defend free trade deal and oppose new border fees as taxes on trade.

We have a free trade deal with the United States to increase trade and tourism because we know this is good for the economies of both nations. For some communities this fee would be devastating.