Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for the question and for raising the issue of gas prices, which we are all experiencing every time we fill up.

The government will always consider measures to assist Canadians through these difficult times. I’m sure that this matter remains under active consideration.

Senator Plett: It would be nice if the Prime Minister occasionally had to fill up his own tank of gas; he might be more understanding of this problem.

This morning, we learned that consumer prices in April rose 6.8%, year over year — again, something that doesn’t affect the Prime Minister. Despite record inflation and an unaffordability crisis for Canadian families — not the Prime Minister — the NDP-Liberal government thought that last month was a good time to raise the carbon tax on gas by 25%. It doesn’t affect the Prime Minister.

Leader, your government was asked to suspend the carbon tax to give Canadians a break. Again, this is an action entirely within your government’s control that would lower the cost of gas for all of us Canadians who have to pay for it ourselves and who are just trying to get to work — yet your government rejected it.

In British Columbia in April 2018, the Prime Minister was asked about high gas prices. He said it was “. . . exactly what we want.” At that time, $1.60/litre was considered high.

Leader, isn’t it the case that your government rejected ways to lower gas prices for Canadians because high gas prices are, in fact, exactly what the Prime Minister wants?