Richard Martel

Slower phase-down, production first

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

Supports LNG projects like Énergie Saguenay and criticizes the carbon tax as ineffective.

Speaker, GNL Québec wants to get started on the Énergie Saguenay project, which would produce 84% fewer greenhouse gas emissions than all its competitors worldwide thanks to our hydroelectricity back home. Investors no longer want to invest in Canada, which is putting billions of dollars in investments and thousands of jobs in jeopardy.

Higher spending and more capability

The other end of this axis: Restrain spending and deployments

Criticizes Liberal cuts to defence and demands better equipment and support for the military.

Speaker, after 10 years of Liberal rule, our fighter jets are at the end of their service life, our ships are outdated and our troops are exhausted. We are short 13,000 troops. Recruitment and morale among our military personnel have never been lower.

Provinces lead

The other end of this axis: Ottawa leads

Repeatedly backs a single tax return for Quebec and greater provincial autonomy over federal interference.

Conservatives keep their promises. That is why, in the first term of a Conservative government, we will introduce a single tax return after negotiating with Quebec, while maintaining employment levels at the Gilles-Marceau building in Jonquière. I therefore support the motion introduced by my colleague, the hon.

Lower taxes and tighter spending

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

Repeatedly condemns Liberal deficits and warns against raising taxes that hurt recovery.

Our tax system is cumbersome and inefficient. I would therefore caution the government against raising taxes in any way that would further squeeze Canadians and hurt our economic recovery. In terms of a recovery plan, I urge the Liberal government to expedite infrastructure projects, to make it easier to invest in Canada and, most importantly, to support the private sector natural resource development projects worth around $200 billion that are currently being studied in Canada, such as the GNL Québec project in my riding.

Assertive alliances and sanctions

The other end of this axis: Alliance restraint

Backs free trade and energy exports to help Ukraine resist Russian influence.

Under the circumstances, the best way for Canada to help Ukraine in its battle against the Russian invasion is to enable it to end its dependence on Russian energy. One way to do that is to maintain and improve trade with Ukraine, and energy should be a big part of that.

Market supply and deregulation

The other end of this axis: Public supply and demand controls

Calls for a common-sense plan to build housing and blames government policies for shortages and high costs.

When will the Liberals listen to our common-sense plan and build housing?

Enforcement and sentencing

The other end of this axis: Prevention and restraint

Opposes reduced sentences for gun crimes and criticizes policies that favor criminals over victims.

It is always the same with these Liberals: Honest citizens are penalized, while rule breakers call the shots. The government should be investing in gang units to give police the resources they need to put a stop to smuggling and get dangerous criminals off our streets.

Deeper continental integration

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

Supports the CUSMA framework while pushing for better outcomes within it and additional free-trade deals.

The Conservatives initiated free trade negotiations with Ukraine. The Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement finally came into effect in 2017. That agreement was a win-win for both Canada and Ukraine.