My question this morning is for the Minister of Indigenous Affairs and Northern Development. Unlike other parts of our province, the north faces unique barriers regarding fuel costs. Northern residents rely more heavily on their vehicles to go to work, to visit family and friends and to run their daily errands. The carbon tax is negatively impacting these communities as they’re hit hardest at the gas pumps.

It’s disgraceful that the federal government is forcing this burdensome tax on the people who need financial relief the most. And it’s also disgraceful that the Liberals and the NDP in this Legislature continue to downplay the impact of the carbon tax on individuals and families in northern Ontario.

Speaker, can the minister please tell this House why northern and Indigenous communities in Ontario cannot afford the federal carbon tax?

While our government continues to take leadership in addressing Ontarians’ affordability concerns, we need all parties in this Legislature to do the same. Speaker, can the minister please explain the detrimental effects that the carbon tax is having on the people, communities and businesses in northern Ontario?

Thank you to the associate minister for that response. The previous Liberal government, with the support of the NDP, not only failed to support the north, but they also resorted to insults and name-calling it, referring to it as “no man’s land,” which is probably why they have no one represented in northern Ontario now.

Unfortunately, that attitude of disrespect has not changed. Since then, they’ve supported the federal carbon tax that impacts every aspect of daily life, including groceries, gas and home heating fuel. And I find it rather ironic members of the NDP have asked for a way to reduce the cost of gasoline in northern Ontario. Remove the carbon tax. This regressive tax has severe and negative consequences for businesses and families, particularly those residing in northern communities.

Speaker, can the associate minister please elaborate on the impacts of the carbon tax on small businesses across the north?