Nathaniel Erskine-Smith

Faster fossil phase-down

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

Excerpts repeat support for carbon pricing, net-zero targets, emergency declarations and criticizing insufficient leadership.

It is incredibly important that we are having this debate tonight so that Canadians can see that some political leaders care. There are still members of the government willing to stand up and say that climate change is real and we are going to use the most efficient and effective method of tackling climate change because that is not only what the climate scientists tell us, that is what every expert who has studied the issue tells us.

Restrain spending and deployments

The other end of this axis: Higher spending and more capability

Questions whether $19 billion on fighter jets is the right priority.

Just as a follow-up, when we look at increasing spending on defence—and $19 billion, to my knowledge, is the second largest procurement of the Canadian government in its history as it relates to defence—in your view is that the best place for a defence procurement of that size if we want to support Canadian strategic defence objectives? Is $19 billion toward fighter jets really the priority that the government has made it out to be?

Restrict new oil and gas

The other end of this axis: Expand production and export

Excerpts repeat calls to stop subsidizing oil and gas and criticize supply-side measures that expand production.

Instead, the motion calls for the government to stop using Canadian taxpayers' money to subsidize and finance the oil and gas sector and to reinvest that money in the transition and in supporting struggling Canadians.

Higher taxes and public spending

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

Excerpts support major investments in infrastructure, indigenous communities and social programs.

In last year's budget, we committed $8.4 billion, over five years, to indigenous communities across Canada. This year's budget proposes an additional $3.

Expand public coverage

The other end of this axis: More private delivery

Excerpts endorse dental care plan, mental health supports and public health investments.

We have made a $13-billion commitment over five years to expand dental care to families earning less than $90,000 a year. We also see important new measures to combat the opioid crisis.