Michael Kram

Liberalize supply management

The other end of this axis: Defend supply management

Repeats criticism of limits on dairy exports under new NAFTA.

It is puzzling to me and to my fellow Conservative colleagues on the international trade committee why this government would kneecap our hard-working dairy producers by bargaining away their ability to increase dairy exports under the new NAFTA. I think it is important for Canadians to realize that the new Canada-U.

Slower phase-down, production first

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

Repeats support for carbon capture and questions feasibility of strict net-zero targets.

I would say that one source of clean energy that we need to do more with is carbon capture and storage. I had the opportunity just a couple of weeks ago to visit the Boundary Dam project just outside of Estevan, Saskatchewan.

Expand production and export

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

Repeats criticism of blocks on pipelines and calls for more oil and gas exports.

Doesn't this government find it embarrassing that they have made it so difficult to build pipelines in this country that eastern Canadians are buying western Canadian oil, not through pipelines but through the Panama Canal?

Provinces lead

The other end of this axis: Ottawa leads

States natural resources are provincial jurisdiction and criticizes Ottawa-knows-best approaches.

It seems like a good idea, and it would make sense to me, if the provincial governments in this country were allowed to take the lead on managing their resource sectors. The federal government can best help by staying out of the way.

Lower taxes and tighter spending

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

Criticizes deficits, debt servicing and carbon tax increases, calling for restraint.

The costly credit card budget means more debt, more costs, more spending, more taxes and more of the same. Why have the Liberals doubled Justin Trudeau's deficit and doubled down on costly credit card budgeting, forcing Canadians to pay more for gas, groceries and housing?

Assertive alliances and sanctions

The other end of this axis: Alliance restraint

Repeats calls for Magnitsky sanctions and complete economic embargo on Russia.

The first petition calls on the government to impose Magnitsky sanctions on all Russian officials who have any involvement in the invasion of Ukraine. This would create a disincentive for Russian oligarchs to support the war effort and serve to isolate Vladimir Putin within Russian society.

Enforcement and sentencing

The other end of this axis: Prevention and restraint

Criticizes catch-and-release policies and calls for tougher measures against rising crime.

Year after year since the Liberal government was elected, violent crime rates have gotten worse than the year before. It is no longer uncommon to hear of a fatal stabbing on public transit or in front of a downtown Starbucks in broad daylight.

Deeper continental integration

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

Repeats criticism of NAFTA limits on dairy exports even to non-parties.

I think it is important for Canadians to realize that the new Canada-U.S.-Mexico free trade agreement does not just limit the ability of dairy farmers to export to the United States and Mexico; it limits their ability to export to Japan, China, Europe or anywhere in the world. Yesterday, the international trade committee heard detailed testimony from a panel of government experts on Bill C-4.