Rob Moore

Slower phase-down, production first

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

Excerpts repeat criticism of carbon tax as unaffordable burden and call to suspend increases.

The last thing we need is another tax that makes life less affordable. People are struggling, and the government can no longer pretend that it is helpless to do anything about it. It is time the Liberals did the right thing and suspended their carbon tax increase on April 1.

Expand production and export

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

Excerpts support keeping non-renewable resource revenues in provinces to enable development and criticize federal clawbacks.

Alberta was allowed to keep 100% of its oil royalties with no federal clawback some time after that. This has allowed Alberta to kick-start its own economy to become a have province and to become one of the economic powerhouses of North America. The problem goes to the very way that different sides would choose to govern this country.

Provinces lead

The other end of this axis: Ottawa leads

Excerpts urge provinces to protect citizens within their sphere and criticize federal overreach in areas like child care.

In light of what the federal government is doing, I would encourage provincial governments to do everything they can to protect their citizens. There is a federal sphere and a provincial sphere. There really would be no way to contain the impact that we would make at the federal level by changing the definition of marriage.

Lower taxes and tighter spending

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

repeats criticism of Liberal debt, taxes and spending

Under this government, in nine years only, they have doubled the debt of this country. They have doubled housing costs: mortgage payments and rent payments are doubled.

Enforcement and sentencing

The other end of this axis: Prevention and restraint

Excerpts repeat calls for mandatory minimum penalties, ending conditional sentences for serious crimes, and getting tough on crime.

We said that we would toughen up the laws on crime, target crime and criminals in an effective and efficient manner. We said that we would bring in penalties that would send a message to gangs, to those who preyed on citizens and to those who used handguns in the commission of violent offences. We said that we, as a Canadian society and as a Parliament, would not tolerate that any more.

Deeper continental integration

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

Excerpts repeat that the BSE crisis requires an open border with the United States as the key long-term solution.

This crisis will only be resolved when we have an open border with our neighbours to the south, the United States. Again, the previous Liberal government had a dismal relationship with the United States and our farmers have suffered for it. It is time for politicians to put aside pettiness and act in the best interests of farmers and in the best interests of our country.