Philip Lawrence

Slower phase-down, production first

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

Criticizes carbon tax burden on farmers and pushes for exemptions on natural gas and propane to protect operations and production.

One of the things I heard when I was travelling my riding, from farmers and non-farmers, is that the carbon tax is impacting the way they operate their businesses. In fact, the carbon tax is taking away up to 12% of their net income, so this is having a significant impact.

Higher spending and more capability

The other end of this axis: Restrain spending and deployments

criticizes Liberal neglect of armed forces and lists them among legitimate public sector roles

Sometimes that money is spent very well, like in supporting our women and men in the armed forces, which the Liberal government has woefully neglected.

Expand production and export

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

Defends oil and gas sector as key to productivity and criticizes policies that hammer the industry, while noting oil and gas workers' dependence.

The most affluent and highest contribution to GDP per hour is in the oil and gas sector. Bill C-69 had a huge impact on that and it is hammering our oil and gas industry. Currently, the oil and gas industry contributes $644 per hour.

Provinces lead

The other end of this axis: Ottawa leads

Emphasizes reaching across provinces and acknowledges disproportionate provincial impacts from federal agreements.

It is incumbent upon members of other provinces to reach across. As the member from Ontario, I have to acknowledge and tell the members, our brothers and sisters from Quebec, that I believe this agreement has an unfair and disproportionate impact on Quebec. Much of the 2019 discourse focused on a little company called SNC-Lavalin and the Prime Minister's decision to direct his Attorney General to act on a deferred prosecution had a significant impact on Canada.

Lower taxes and tighter spending

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

Repeatedly criticizes reckless spending, high debt, and carbon tax while arguing governments should keep taxes and spending low.

The last five years have not borne a resemblance to any economic theory known. It has just been spend, spend, tax more and spend in the good times. The Liberal government's attack on businesses, the institution of the carbon tax, its weak leadership, failure to address Canada's productivity gap and reckless spending have left our country without many of the resources that are required to counteract the effects of a recession.

Enforcement and sentencing

The other end of this axis: Prevention and restraint

criticizes bail reform that allows repeat offenders to be released quickly and calls for stronger measures

Madam Speaker, in my town of Cobourg, we recently had an incident where an individual assaulted a person who had their child there, and the individual was out on bail the same day and committed another crime.

Deeper continental integration

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

states intention to support NAFTA despite reservations and identifies as party of free trade

Conservatives are the party of free trade. There can be absolutely no doubt about that. Our party is responsible for negotiating some of the largest and most important trade agreements in Canadian history.