Moment liberal lawmaker suggests families of modest means are 'killing the planet' by taking summer road trips

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A liberal Canadian lawmaker sparked backlash this week after suggesting families going on summer road trips are 'letting the planet burn.'

Mark Holland, an Ontario MP and the nation's Health Minister, was branded a 'wacko' by opposition leader Pierre Poilievre following his rant in parliament last week.

It came as he appeared to mock a question from a conservative colleague about freezing carbon tax to reduce fuel costs for everyday Canadians, which Holland said would be a trade for 'the future of the planet.'

'Don’t worry about climate change! Don’t worry about taking action on the planet!' the bowtie-wearing politician said sarcastically. 'Enjoy your ten hours in the car and let the planet burn.'

Canadian MP and Health Minister Mark Holland sparked backlash after ranting about how families going on summer road trips are 'letting the planet burn'

Holland's remarks came in response to a question from conservative MP Rachael Thomas, during an open debate in parliament over a vote to allow Canadians to save 35 cents per liter of gas through a carbon freeze.

'Many Canadians just simply look forward to a small summer vacation, a road trip. Perhaps it’s normally a time when they can go and camp in the mountains or go to a national park or visit loved ones,' Thomas told the chamber.

'But this year, many Canadians can’t afford this simple delight because this government has made life too expensive.'

Holland countered by appearing to mock the assertion that families would want to go on a road trip.

'Good news, kids! You can take a summer of fun time vacation where you’re locked in a car for ten consecutive days nonstop with no bathroom breaks,' he said.

'The conservatives have a plan for you to have that summertime fun - and the cost? Give up the future of the planet.

'Don’t worry about climate change! Don’t worry about taking action on the planet! Enjoy your ten hours in the car and let the planet burn.'

Holland, pictured in 2021 with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, was branded a 'wacko' for his remarks in parliament last week

Mr. Holland's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment when contacted by DailyMail.com.

Footage of Holland's theatrical speech sparked backlash from conservatives, with some critics pointing to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's frequent private jet use.

'Only Trudeau is allowed to have summer trips on private jets while virtue-signing about climate change. Oh man. The Irony,' said one commenter.

Another questioned: 'Why doesn't he criticize his boss for 27-car motorcades and flying around the world in jets?'

Days after the speech, Holland told a press conference that the negative response he received was because his words were taken out of 'context', as he argued the conservatives' carbon tax threshold was too high to be effective.

'It's just dishonest, and it's emblematic of an approach that Canadians have to sit back and look at,' he told reporters.

'Of course, all of us support the idea of going on road trips, I just don't support them when they're 44,000 kilometers long,' Holland said, noting the number he suggested Canadians would need to drive to receive benefits from the carbon freeze.

Holland slammed conservative stances on limiting climate change policies as he defended his remarks, as he said criticism of his speech was 'disingenuous.'

'I think selectively quoting me, when they could see the context of the question period and what we were talking about, shows frankly a desperation in their message.

'(And it shows) a willingness in social media spaces to contort messages that are just untrue,' he argued.