QUESTION PERIOD — Environment and Climate Change
Carbon Emissions
November 21, 2024
Senator Gold, the NDP-Liberal government’s new cap on emissions is a cap on well-paying jobs for middle-class workers in the energy sector. Following the American presidential election, Bill Morneau had this to say about the cap: “Energy security is going to be critical . . . .”
He continued:
We’re going to need to think about whether we focus on energy security in a way that makes us clearly an important part of the U.S. sector that way. . . . And that means we have to ask ourselves, “is it really the right time for caps on emissions?”
That is an excellent question. What is your response to the man who served as the finance minister for the first five years of the Trudeau government on this issue?
Thank you for your question.
There are many questions that all Canadians can and should be posing as we face some uncertainty ahead, given the results of the last election.
It is this government’s position that the policies that are in place to cap emissions are an essential tool in the transition to a cleaner, more sustainable economy — one that will continue to attract foreign investment and provide good jobs for Canadians.
The government respects the expertise of Mr. Morneau and others who have served in the past, but the current government’s position is that this is an important policy tool that serves the best interests of Canadians.
Senator Gold, stop using the environment as an excuse to tax Canadians, when these policies have not worked to do anything for the environment but are pummelling the middle-class.
Leader, how many jobs will be lost in Canada due to your production cap on oil and gas development? How much economic investment will be lost in addition to what we’ve lost over the last few years because of your government? Could you confirm that your government conducted this kind of analysis before introducing the cap? If so, can you commit to tabling the relevant documents of the impact of this cap?
Senator, thank you again for your question.
This government has a serious climate plan. It has a serious plan to help Canadians transition to a net-zero economy. It is based upon its own analysis, and it is based upon science and the best views, including of mainstream economists, and it will continue to move forward in the best interests of Canadians.
