Canada's opposition leader Pierre Poilievre has criticised Justin Trudeau in Parliament on the country's inflation and economy, as he called on the Prime Minister to sit down with the premiers to discuss the federal carbon tax.
During a recent talk with the Calgary Economic Development, Trudeau told the audience its the role of government to "make it more expensive" for people who "don’t want to think about the future" and "don’t want to prepare for the future today".
Poilievre tabled a motion in the House of Commons for Trudeau to "convene a carbon tax emergency meeting" with Canada's 13 provincial and territorial leaders, to address the "ongoing carbon tax crisis and the financial burden it places on Canadians."
Speaking in the House, Poilievre claimed the nation's inflation is "still 50 per cent higher than its 2 per cent target, after hitting a 40 year high".
Pierre Poilievre hit out at Trudeau in Canada's Parliament
Parliament of Canada
Poilievre also claimed that Canada's economy is "smaller than it was six years ago", which is the "first time that has ever happened in Canadian history".
He slammed Trudeau's Liberal Party and argued that the "common sense Conservatives" will build "homes and not bureaucracy".
Poilievre told the Chamber: "Houses in Canada now cost 50 per cent more than in the United States. You can buy a home, a castle in Sweden for a lower cost than it is for a two bedroom in Kitchener.
"Toronto is the worst housing bubble in the world. Vancouver the third most expensive when comparing median income to median housing prices."
Justin Trudeau has been criticised by Pierre Poilievre
Reuters
Poilievre compared the state of Canada's economy to that of eight years ago, using a "coma" as an example of the stark differences.
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Poilievre fumed: "Imagine if you were in a coma for the last eight years. You would have gone to sleep in a country in 2015 where inflation and interest rates were rock bottom, taxes were following it faster than any time in Canadian history.
"The budget was balanced, crime had just fallen 25 per cent so that small town folks could leave their doors unlocked. Our borders were secure and our immigration system was uncontroversial."
He continued: "But now you've awoken eight years later to find a completely different place. Canada is expected to have the worst OECD growth out of 40 countries for the next five and a half years and the next 35 years. It now takes 25 years to save up for a down payment for a mortgage in Toronto.
"And many people have had their existing mortgages extended to 90 years and 120 years, meaning their great grandchildren will still be paying it off."
Pierre Poilievre said houses in Canada now cost '50 per cent more than in the United States'
Parliament of Canada
Poilievre called on Trudeau to take action on the issue, noting that his party is the "common sense alternative" that will "axe the tax, build the homes, fix the budget and stop the crime".
He demanded: "We call on the Prime Minister to meet the premiers and talk to him about their desire to see the tax cut or eliminated altogether. Let us grant relief to our people now, until there can be a carbon tax election, where the people of this country will restore the common sense consensus, that will allow anyone from anywhere to do anything that their birthright is.
"That with hard work, you can afford a good home and good food in a safe neighbourhood in the country. Love is in all of our homes. Your home, my home, our home. Let's bring it home."