House of Commons Debates

OFFICIAL REPORT (HANSARD)

Friday, February 23, 2022 

Hon. Scott Brison ( Kings-Hants, Lib):

Mr. Speaker, last week the government defended its decision to cancel the visitor rebate program by quoting the premier of Nova Scotia. This week the premier was clear in his opposition to the cancellation of the program saying, “the federal government's decision will have an impact on visitation to Nova Scotia”.

Cancelling this program will kill thousands of tourism jobs, particularly in Atlantic Canada.

Will the government listen to the premier of Nova Scotia now and will it keep the visitor rebate program?

Hon. John Baird (Minister of the Environment, CPC):  

Mr. Speaker, the government is focused on priorities. I know my colleagues in the Liberal Party find it difficult to make priorities. Our priorities in the budget this year will be to put more money into health care, to put greater tax assistance, to help young children and families with disabilities, rather than supporting a program that has very little take-up and has proven ineffective.