SummarySpren for "C-49, An Act to amend the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Atlantic Accord Implementation Act and the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Resources Accord Implementation Act and to make consequential amendments to other Acts"
- • The speaker argues that the Conservative Party's plan for the environment is to "let the planet burn" and that they have no real plan to address the ongoing climate crisis.
• The speaker highlights the importance of taking action on the climate crisis and notes that the current situation is an "existential crisis" for humanity, urging the need for a more comprehensive plan from the government.
- • Canada's economy is expected to lead the G7 in growth rate in 2025, with real GDP growth and a AAA credit rating, thanks to the government's economic policies and investments in areas such as early learning and child care, and the Canada child benefit.
• The opposition's call to make pollution free again would not make life more affordable for Canadians, and the government's carbon rebate and investment tax credits for clean electricity generation are helping businesses grow and supporting the transition to a low-carbon economy.
- • Vaccines are required for children to attend school, just like we need to take action to fight climate change.
• Putting a price on carbon is necessary to internalize the externality of carbon emissions and make life more affordable for Canadians, while also moving the economy forward.
- • The speaker is urging the Liberal-NDP coalition not to increase the carbon tax by 23% on April 1, citing the negative impact it will have on farmers, truckers, grocers, and consumers.
• The speaker believes that the coalition should focus on reducing emissions from coal, which produces 40% of the world's emissions, rather than punishing Canadians with a carbon tax.
- • The Liberal government is offering a program to help households transition from heating oil to heat pumps, with up to $20,000 in funding for households below the provincial median income. This program will be available across the country and will provide 75% of the funding, with the provinces contributing the remaining 25%.
• The Conservatives are opposed to this program and have a history of opposing climate change action, including the Atlantic Accord, which the current bill (C-49) seeks to amend to include regulation of offshore wind and green hydrogen. The speaker argues that the Conservatives do not support technology that can help reduce emissions and create jobs in Atlantic Canada.
- • The speaker supports the use of solar, wind, and renewable electricity to drive a zero-emissions future.
• The speaker differs from the member in their view on the importance of nuclear energy, believing it to be a technology that will help drive a zero-emissions future, despite the cost mechanism considerations.