Jerry V. DeMarco made a statement and, with Derek Hermanutz, Vincent Ngan, Nick Xenos and Erin O'Brien, answered questions.

Gérard Deltell moved, — That, Given that the Prime Minister’s temporary and limited exemption to the carbon tax on home heating oil that does not apply to 97% of Canadians, and that this announcement exposes major inconsistencies in the federal carbon tax policy, and that the Liberal government voted against a Conservative motion to extend the same exemption to all forms of home heating in Canada, and that Canada’s Premiers have issued a joint statement, that says, “Premiers expressed concern that federal actions around the federal carbon tax have treated Canadians differently and expect the federal government to support all Canadians fairly,”; and given the divisive statement made by the Minister of Rural Economic Development where she stated, in response to a televised interview question on whether the Liberals were considering carbon tax relief for Canadians outside of Atlantic Canada; “…perhaps they need to elect more Liberals in the Prairies so that we can have that conversation as well”,

The committee:

1. Undertake a ten-meeting review of carbon tax policy in Canada given the Prime Minister’s limited carbon tax exemption, calls from provinces and Canadians struggling with the affordability crisis to remove the federal carbon tax completely, and the committee hear from the Minister of the Environment and Climate Change for two hours, the Minister of Finance for two hours, the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources for two hours, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry for two hours, the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food for two hours and all other witnesses the committee deems relevant, that the committee extend existing meeting times by one-hour in order to prioritize this motion and that the committee report its findings to the House;
2. Urge the Minister of Rural Economic Development to appear for two hours on Tuesday, November 21, 2023, to explain her comments.

Debate arose thereon.

Adam van Koeverden moved, — That the debate be now adjourned.

The question was put on the motion and it was agreed to on the following recorded division:

YEAS: Taylor Bachrach, Sophie Chatel, Jean-Denis Garon, Lloyd Longfield, Leah Taylor Roy, Adam van Koeverden, Patrick Weiler — 7;

NAYS: Gérard Deltell, Michael Kram, Branden Leslie — 3.

Questioning of the witnesses resumed.

Jerry V. DeMarco, Kimberley Leach, Derek Hermanutz, Vincent Ngan and Nick Xenos answered questions.