Debates of Dec. 7th, 2006

Diane Finley Minister of Human Resources and Social Development

Mr. Speaker, I would like to read some quotes from a parent. The first states:

I have two children they are 4 and 8 years old...The $100 a month will go a long way in our single income family.

The second states:

You can be assured that this money will benefit my children's social and physical well being. Believe me beer and popcorn are not on the menu.

We offered the universal child care benefit to Canadians and they voted for it. We will not let the Liberals or the NDP take it away.

Brian Masse Windsor West, ON

Mr. Speaker, the private investment firm Citigroup recently commissioned a study on public and private ownership of bridges. The group study has concluded that private ownership increases the tolls 35% to 45% higher. Despite that evidence, the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities has now put the Windsor-Detroit border crossing, the most important one, on the auction block.

What I want to know from the minister right now is this. Will he guarantee that the crossing there will be publicly owned, operated and accountable so we have the lowest cost fares and the busiest, most accountable border crossing?

Lawrence Cannon Minister of Transport

Mr. Speaker, first, the government is committed to increasing Canada's competitiveness. The government is committed to being able to get our products and services across the border in the best fashion possible.

We have indicated that we will look at the different options available and we will take the best decisions in Canada's interest.

Brian Masse Windsor West, ON

Mr. Speaker, my community is not up for sale. This community deserves the proper crossing, and that is what the study proves. More important, it is the same practice across the country. Why is Windsor being treated differently?

We have to signal to industry that we are serious about fixing this problem, and it has to be done with accountability and with support for the city.

I ask the minister to ensure that there are no new toll roads and no new high toll bridges, where private pockets are lined at the expense of citizens.

Lawrence Cannon Minister of Transport

Mr. Speaker, I would have expected congratulations on behalf of the hon. member.

This morning I was with the provincial transport minister, Donna Cansfield, to announce the creation of the gateway for southern Ontario, another move that will increase Canada's competitiveness abroad.

Todd Russell Labrador, NL

Mr. Speaker, many Canadians have noticed the twinkle in the Prime Minister's eye whenever he is introduced as an economist. In fact, he should be embarrassed.

He seems to have forgotten everything he learned in economist school. He promised all the premiers, in writing, that no province would lose out by his changes to the equalization formula. As any good economist could tell us, this is not mathematically possible.

Has the Prime Minister finally realized this inconvenient truth? Who will deliver the bad news to the premiers who get Scrooged this Christmas?

Jim Flaherty Minister of Finance

Certainly not Scrooge, Mr. Speaker. Perhaps a mere elf, but not Scrooge.

As the members opposite know, a number of studies and reports have been brought forward this year, which the government has been reviewing, including from the municipalities, from the provinces and territories, from a group that was appointed by the previous government. All these reports with respect to equalization, fiscal balance, are being reviewed. We are on track. We have the meeting next week of the finance ministers toward resolution in 2007.

Dave Batters Palliser, SK

Mr. Speaker, 15 Wing Moose Jaw is home to NATO flight training in Canada, or NFTC, as well as Canada's world famous Snowbirds. The future of both of these programs is of great significance to our military and to the community of Moose Jaw.

Could the Minister of National Defence please inform the House about the commitment our new government has to the future of NFTC and the Snowbirds?

Gordon O'Connor Minister of National Defence

Mr. Speaker, NFTC is vital for the production of our pilots and those of our allies, and that contract will go on to the year 2021. We are also actively marketing in other allied countries to get more pilots involved.

As for the Snowbirds, the Snowbirds are a national icon and the government is committed to supporting that organization well into the future.

Garth Turner Halton, ON

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the minister who is not Scrooge.

According to Statistics Canada today, about four million Canadian families have no retirement savings. The issue is serious because these families basically have a zero savings rate and a very high tax rate. Can they look forward to two things: an across the board income tax cut and income splitting?

Jim Flaherty Minister of Finance

Mr. Speaker, as the member knows, in our tax back guarantee in “Advantage Canada”, we will reduce the public debt each year and we will save interest every year when we do that. That interest savings will be used every year to reduce personal income tax in Canada. Therefore, yes, there is a tax back guarantee for all Canadians on personal income tax.

On October 31, we announced the pension splitting, as the member opposite knows. It is a very important step for pensioners in Canada, many of whom are seniors, but not all. Splitting pensions to a maximum of fifty-fifty means thousands of dollars in cash for pensioners across Canada.

The Speaker Peter Milliken

I would like to draw to the attention of hon. members the presence in the gallery of the Hon. Lorne Calvert, Premier of the Province of Saskatchewan.

The Speaker Peter Milliken

I also want to draw to the attention of hon. members the presence in the gallery of Andrée Boucher, the Mayor of Quebec City, who has just launched the 400 days of celebrations leading up to the 400th anniversary of her city in 2008.