QUESTION PERIOD — Finance
Cost of Living
April 15, 2026
Government leader, the ongoing food inflation crisis is set to worsen, as new reporting shows that fuel surcharges from suppliers are now driving up costs across the entire food supply chain. Conservatives have long warned that high fuel prices, made worse by your government’s carbon tax, clean fuel standard and fuel excise taxes, would directly increase grocery bills. Yet, after years of inaction, your government is offering Canadians only limited and temporary relief that fails to address the full burden that families are facing.
Senator Moreau, Canadians need meaningful and immediate relief. When will your government finally remove all costly fuel taxes and lower prices for families?
Thank you, Senator Martin.
Just yesterday, the government announced a temporary suspension of the federal fuel excise tax. This is a responsible and targeted measure that will reduce operating costs for truckers and businesses and, therefore, supply chains in the food, agriculture, housing, construction and delivery sectors, enabling those businesses to confidently keep employees and build and export products.
The idea of taking care of Canadians and the affordability issue were the main topics of the Prime Minister’s speech last weekend, and they are the main targets of the government, among many. It is not only one temporary measure; there were a lot of measures in the last budget.
We would encourage the Prime Minister to take all of our ideas, which he has done quite often. However, why wait even longer to follow our advice? Conservatives have put forward a solution to give Canadians meaningful relief: eliminate the GST on gas and diesel and scrap the industrial carbon tax.
Will your government adopt those solutions, or will you continue with half measures that fall short for Canadians who are struggling with rising grocery and fuel prices?
The way I look at the public service is that it’s not that we own our ideas but that good ideas are for all Canadians. I think the Prime Minister is very open to measures that Canadians see as helpful.
Quite honestly, I think this government’s commitment toward affordability, housing and food security is outstanding.
