Scott Higgins, Claire Malcolmson and André Bélanger made statements and answered questions.

At 4:41 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 4:48 p.m., the sitting resumed.

Aislin Livingstone, Kat Hartwig, Duncan Morrison, Steven Frey and Larissa Holman made statements and, with Paige Thurston, answered questions.

Gérard Deltell moved, — Given that:

1. the Liberal government is planning to hike taxes on Canadians by increasing their carbon tax by 23% on April 1, 2024;
2. a typical family of four will have to pay $700 more in groceries in 2024;
3. nearly two million Canadians used a food bank in a single month in 2023;
4. Canadians cannot afford further tax hikes;
5. Minister Guilbeault admitted that “the government does not measure the annual amount of emissions that are directly reduced by federal carbon pricing”;
6. Canada now ranks 62 out of 67 countries, dropping four places from the previous year, according to the Climate Change Performance Index;

The committee call on the Liberal government to cancel their planned tax hike on April 1, 2024; abandon their plan to quadruple the carbon tax to provide Canadians financial relief on their gas, groceries, and home heating; acknowledge that the carbon tax is not an environmental plan, it’s a tax plan; and that the committee report its opinion to the House.

Debate arose thereon.

Lloyd Longfield 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: Shafqat Ali, Daniel Blaikie, Sophie Chatel, Lloyd Longfield, Monique Pauzé, Leah Taylor Roy, Adam van Koeverden — 7;

NAYS: Gérard Deltell, Michael Kram, Branden Leslie, Dan Mazier — 4.

Questioning of the witnesses resumed.

It was agreed, — That, in relation to the study of toxic leak of tailings ponds, the proposed budget in the amount of $86,928.58, for the committee’s travel to Fort McMurray, Alberta, Fort Chipewyan, Alberta and Wood Buffalo, Alberta in the Spring 2024, be adopted.

Leah Taylor Roy moved, — That in reference to the water study the committee hold two additional meetings after its 13th meeting to hear from witnesses, with each panel including one witness suggested by each party as per usual; that the committee also hold a further additional two meetings exclusively dedicated to hearing from representatives of those provinces and territories able to attend.

Debate arose thereon.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was agreed to on division.