QUESTION PERIOD — Finance
Cost of Living
November 27, 2024
Senator Gold, this is a question I hoped to ask the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations during Question Period yesterday. It is regarding the impact of the carbon tax on those who live on reserve.
In an op-ed, Stephen Buffalo, President and CEO of the Indian Resource Council, had this to say about the carbon tax:
Many of those who live on reserve are on fixed incomes, which keeps them below the poverty line. As the rising cost of food, gas, vehicles and construction materials creates increasing desperation, the carbon tax is translating into missed bill payments, missed medical appointments, missed education and work opportunities — because we simply can’t afford to get to them.
Leader, what is your response? Is he wrong?
It’s not the position of the government to criticize or chastise any Canadian who is struggling with or suffering as a result of the high cost of living, whether that be with respect to food, housing, gas, heating or other matters necessary or desired. It is the position of the government that the impact upon prices and the general cost of living is marginal as compared with the cost of doing nothing, both to our climate, to be sure, but also to our economy, including the cost of food.
It is also the position of this government that it will continue to pursue a serious plan to assist Canadians and our economy to transition to a greener, more sustainable economy for the well‑being of our children, grandchildren and future generations.
The reality of these people on reserve and in other places is absolutely dire. It is my understanding that for well over a year, the Indian Resource Council has been attempting to meet directly with the Minister of Finance to speak with her about the carbon tax.
Leader, would you put forward the request to Minister Freeland that she meet with the Indian Resource Council?
I will certainly transmit the request if you will provide me with whatever information would be helpful to me. There are also other avenues that I hope are being pursued with the minister, who was here for Question Period, and others who are responsible for the well-being of those communities.
