Richard Lehoux

[Carbon Pricing, September 20th, 2023]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister and his ally, the Bloc Québécois, are driving up food prices by continuing to support the carbon tax.

Yes, the second carbon tax applies to Quebec, contrary to what the Bloc claims. Input costs continue to rise for our farmers and transportation costs continue to skyrocket, yet the Bloc wants to drastically increase the carbon tax. Yes, voting Bloc is costly.

Can the Prime Minister tell us if he is going to listen to the Bloc Québécois's request to drastically increase the tax?

[Agriculture and Agri-Food, June 20th, 2023]

Mr. Speaker, the government does not have a plan for making food more affordable. The many carbon taxes and the fertilizer tariff have only increased the price of food from farm to table. In Canada, production costs keep increasing, and farmers have been completely abandoned by this government.

That was evident in the last budget. Less than 1% of the budget was allocated to agriculture. The Liberals are ignoring a real economic driver.

When will the government implement real measures to support farmers and make production more affordable?

[Carbon Pricing, June 19th, 2023]

Mr. Speaker, we are facing a cost of living crisis. In my riding, the number of people using food banks has never been so high. The price of gas is through the roof and families in Beauce are hurting.

On July 1, things will only get worse. In Quebec, the second carbon tax will add $436 to every family's burden, on top of the goods and services tax. This measure will hinder everyone's ability to get to work and, more importantly, to put food on the table. Will the government finally see the light and cancel the second carbon tax?

[Government Business No. 26—Amendments to the Standing Orders, June 13th, 2023]

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from Saint-Jean for her heartfelt speech. I think we agree on a number of points.

Yes, we need to be open to making some changes. However, as she so rightly said, it is important to take the time to do it right. The pandemic is over, and I think that the existing rules should be reviewed.

She talked about several subjects in her speech, including accountability. Ministers need to be present in the House so that we can ask them questions. I came here in 2019, and I worked here in person until March 2020. Then, I started working remotely. I have not really had much of a chance to get to know how things work around here.

Over the past few months, I have noticed that it is much more convenient and important to be here in person. As my colleague from Saint-Jean rightly pointed out that, when we go get a coffee outside the chamber, we can take the time to talk with our colleagues opposite and share our opinions. I think that is important.

We are talking about accountability and discussions among parliamentarians. The work that we do in our ridings is important. For me, the work that I do in my riding is very important. I go back to my riding every weekend to meet with my constituents. However, the work that we do here with the other parliamentarians is also very important. The opportunity to talk to those we are asking questions of is important.

I would like my colleague to elaborate on that.

[The Economy, June 12th, 2023]

Mr. Speaker, after eight years under this government, many families across the country are struggling to put food on the table. Now, mortgages, car payments and credit card interest are rising again. The cost of everything is going up under this Prime Minister. The Liberal government's deficits are to blame, but the government refuses to take responsibility. Food prices will continue to skyrocket if no one takes action.

When will the Prime Minister wake up and propose a real solution to this crisis?

[Budget Implementation Act, 2023, No. 1, June 6th, 2023]

Madam Speaker, I thank my hon. colleague for his speech.

I gathered that there was not much in the budget that interested him. I would like to hear his opinion. Would he have liked to see more about access to the Internet and improvements to the cellular network in all of Quebec's regions and across Canada? It is 2023 and we are still asking questions. How is it that we are unable to have adequate services? I would like my colleague to comment on that.

[Carbon Pricing, June 6th, 2023]

Mr. Speaker, I am surprised that my colleague opposite is not telling me that Quebec is not affected by the carbon tax, as he tends to do. I would still reply that, yes, Quebec is affected by the carbon tax.

The first carbon tax affects us directly when fruit and vegetables are imported from Ontario, for example. Transportation costs and other inputs play a big part in setting prices.

The second carbon tax also affects us directly, at a cost of $436 per family, as noted by the Parliamentary Budget Officer.

Once again, when is the government going to scrap the carbon tax?

[Carbon Pricing, June 6th, 2023]

Mr. Speaker, the government is so out of touch. Many Canadian families are struggling to put food on the table. One in five Canadians are skipping meals, and the use of food banks in my riding has gone up by 30%.

The carbon tax is driving up the costs of farm production and groceries. Canadians cannot afford to pay the extra $1,065 being imposed by the government.

When will the government do away with the carbon tax so that families can once again become food self-sufficient?

[Agriculture and Agri-Food, June 2nd, 2023]

Madam Speaker, after eight years of this Prime Minister, Beauce businesses are struggling to find employees. SMEs and agricultural businesses are starting to close their doors because of the backlog at Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada and the endless paperwork.

Since my arrival in 2019, I have been asking for the streamlining of labour market impact assessments. With an unemployment rate of 1.9% in my region, we need help filling important positions.

Why are the Liberals refusing to help Beauce businesses?

[Agriculture and Agri-Food, June 1st, 2023]

Mr. Speaker, it is World Milk Day, and I would like to recognize the hard work of all the dairy farmers and processors from coast to coast.

These farmers work very hard. However, the second carbon tax this government is proposing is putting farming prospects at risk across the country. Canadians need farmers to put food on the table.

When will the Liberals wake up and cancel the second carbon tax, so Canadians can feed their families?