As your Member of Parliament for Middlesex—London, I hear from our communities every single day about how the rising cost of living is squeezing fixed incomes. Many of you have told me you are thinking twice before driving to medical appointments, visiting grandchildren, or even heading into town for groceries. When gas prices spike, everything gets more expensive, from the food on your table to the heat in your home.
That is why last week’s announcement from the Liberal government under Prime Minister Mark Carney caught my attention. After undemocratically securing a majority through a series of floor-crossings, the first time in Canadian history that a government has obtained a majority this way, the Liberals finally listened to Conservatives and acted on gas prices, announcing a temporary suspension of the federal excise tax on gasoline and diesel, offering about 10 cents off a litre until Labour Day.
While any relief at the pump is welcome, let’s be honest: this is a half-measure. Conservatives demanded the full removal of every federal tax on gasoline and diesel for the rest of 2026, roughly 25 cents a litre in total relief. That would have put more than $1,200 back in the pockets of an average family of four this year. Instead, the government chose a short-term, partial cut that expires in September. Young families trying to grow and seniors on fixed incomes deserve better than a temporary Band-Aid when it comes to affordability.
Now that the Liberals have the majority they sought through floor-crossings, the time for playing the blame game is over. The cost-of-living crisis, the pressure on rural families, and the made-in-Canada problems they have created over the past decade are theirs to take responsibility for and fix, not Washington’s, not Tehran’s, and not anyone else’s.
As a Conservative, I am ready to work with the government where it makes sense. I will continue to advocate for and support measures that actually help seniors and rural communities. But in return, Conservatives expect full cooperation, not half-measures or photo-op politics. Real relief means permanent, meaningful action on the taxes that drive up the price of gas, groceries, and home heating, and permanent supports to grow domestic business and industry instead of continuing to drive it away.
My office is always open. If you are in Middlesex—London and struggling with these costs, please reach out by phone or email. With your support, I will keep pushing for the practical, common-sense solutions you deserve.
