Hon. Yonah Martin (Deputy Leader of the Opposition): Government leader, in March, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, or CFIB, released a report entitled Fueling Unfairness: Carbon Pricing and Small Businesses. This report estimates that small businesses pay close to half of the carbon tax revenue collected by the Trudeau government. However, only 0.17% of all carbon tax revenues were returned to small businesses between the 2019-20 and 2022-23 fiscal years. Clearly, the Prime Minister’s carbon tax is not worth the cost to our entrepreneurs.

Leader, why did your government use the carbon tax funding set aside for small business to pay for the rebates announced last week? Why won’t you just axe the tax to help small businesses across Canada that are struggling to survive?

Hon. Yonah Martin (Deputy Leader of the Opposition): The Prime Minister’s two carbon taxes, the alcohol escalator tax, increased payroll taxes and red tape, skyrocketing rent and interest rates and small business owners being accused of being tax cheats — this is the legacy of eight years of the Trudeau government when it comes to small business.

Leader, will your government bring forward a common sense plan to help our entrepreneurs, control your spending and set a time frame to balance the budget as the CFIB has asked?

Hon. Yonah Martin (Deputy Leader of the Opposition): Honourable senators, with leave, I would like to re-adjourn this item in my name.