Report From Parliament Hill

Eric Melillo, MP, Kenora—Kiiwetinoong

Dear Constituents 

This week, Conservatives put forward a clear and concise plan — suspend all federal fuel taxes until the end of the year to give Canadians much needed relief at the pump. This plan would involve eliminating the fuel excise tax, removing the GST on gas and diesel, the industrial carbon tax, and the Clean Fuel Standard. With these three taxes culled, the result would be immediate — 25 cents cheaper per litre, up to $20 per fill-up, and over $1,200 saved this year for an average family of four. 
Like so often with this government, the response came up short. Prime Minister Mark Carney’s plan is to cut only the fuel excise tax, only until Labour Day. The Liberal plan doesn’t even save half the money our Conservative plan would— their math works out to saving about 10 cents per litre on gasoline and even less on diesel. As Canadians pay 35 per cent more due to a rise in world oil prices, Liberal taxes drive the cost up further. Compared to the United States, Canadians pay almost 20 per cent more at the pump after currency conversion.
This impact on fuel prices goes beyond just our personal vehicles and commutes. Diesel costs directly impact the price of transporting food for our cupboards, construction materials for our homes, and everyday goods across the country—especially in Ontario’s north. When fuel costs rise, the cost of everything else rises with it. Lowering fuel taxes so that Canadians pay roughly the same as others around the world would not only make life more affordable but ease significant pressures on supply chains and the shipping of goods.
While Mr. Carney voted against our motion to make life more affordable at the pump, other countries and jurisdictions are introducing greater relief for their citizens. Ireland is further reducing their tax by 10 cents per litre on gasoline and suspending the increase of their carbon tax to provide relief. In Germany, they put forward a plan to cut their gasoline tax by 17 cents per litre. Several US states have all put forward suspensions of their gas taxes as well. Mr. Carney’s current approach is significantly limited in comparison and could go much further to make everyday life more affordable for Canadians.
Conservatives have 
put forward a simple, measurable and effective solution that would have an immediate impact. Lower taxes mean lower prices and lower prices means real savings. It’s time for Mark Carney and the Liberal government to stop offering partial solutions and finally deliver real relief for Canadians.
Working for You
If you’re visiting Ottawa and would like to take a tour of Parliament, please get in touch. My office would be happy to help you reserve tour tickets.
As always, if there is anything my office can assist you with, please call me at 807-223-2182 (Dryden) or 807-468-2170 (Kenora) or email me at eric.melillo@parl.gc.ca.
Sincerely, 
Eric Melillo 
Member of Parliament 
Kenora—Kiiwetinoong