Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre grilled Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for his government's planned tax hikes, repeatedly questioning why the Liberals would increase costs for Canadians during a time of economic turmoil.."Toronto's students are living in shelters for the homeless, the use of food banks is at record highs in history, and it is really the worst time to increase costs for Canadians," Poilievre said during Question Period on Thursday. "Will the prime minister cancel of the tax increases on gas, heating, food and paychecks? .Trudeau responded by again congratulating Poilievre on becoming leader of the opposition, and by saying that MPs should focus on creating an economy that "works for everyone."."We will invest in creating more housing to counter the cost of living, to fight climate change, to help the middle class, and to help make communities safer and put more money back into the pockets of the most vulnerable families in Canada," Trudeau said. "We hope that all Canadians will work with us."."It's nice to see the prime minister here visiting Canada to fill up the gas in his private jet," Poilievre said to Trudeau, who stopped in Ottawa before heading to Japan for the funeral of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe..Poilievre claimed the prime minister effectively admitted "his carbon tax has not worked, and therefore he needs to triple it.".Poilievre said according to Liberal Premier of Newfoundland & Labrador Andrew Furey, the coming carbon tax hike will mean the total cost in their heating bill for a Newfoundland senior will go up 80%.."If you are a Newfoundland senior, how much will your home heating bill rise as a result of the forthcoming hike and the liberal carbon tax?".Trudeau said the Liberals are committed to helping millions of struggling Canadians by doubling the GST tax credit, creating a dental plan for low-income families, and supporting for low-income renters.."The leader of the opposition has an opportunity to support these measures and get help directly to Canadians. I hope he does exactly that.".Poilievre responded the prime minister has the opportunity to "respect the fact that heating your home in January and February is not a luxury."."That does not make those Canadians polluters. They are just trying to survive," Poilievre said, before pointing out the prime minister burned more jet fuel in one month than 20 average Canadians burn in an entire year.."Will the prime minister ground the jet, park the hypocrisy and axe the tax hikes?" he asked..Trudeau said every parliamentarian has heard stories from Canadians who are struggling with the high cost of living "that's been caused by the global crisis."."If Canadians had followed the advice of the leader in an attempt to opt out of inflation, they would have lost half of their savings," Trudeau said. "Responsible leadership means stepping up for Canadians and being there to support them.".Poilievre said the Conservatives will not support tax hikes on Canadians. He said over the next three years, the Liberals are going to collect $10 billion more in EI taxes than they pay out in EI benefits, "allowing the prime minister to grab up the difference and use it to feed his insatiable spending appetites.".Trudeau said when Poilievre was the minister responsible for employment insurance, premiums were 20% higher for workers than they are now. Poilievre said the prime minister was "wrong" and that payroll taxes on the average $60,000 a year worker is $700 higher than when we left office.."And by the way, we left with a balanced budget," Poilievre added..Trudeau attacked Poilievre for delivering Child Benefit cheques to millionaire families, voting against raising taxes on the wealthiest 1%, and voting against a Canada Child Benefit that delivers "hundreds of dollars a month, tax free, to every Canadian family."."We've seen where this Leader of the Opposition stands on this side of the aisle," Trudeau said. "We're gonna stay focused on helping Canadians for real."
