Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Thank you for your presentations. Unfortunately, it simply isn't possible to put questions to each and every one of you; it's a shame.
Ms. Russell, we are used to seeing the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives produce its own estimates with respect to government finances. I am not entirely convinced that Mr. Drummond's are accurate, because I have noted in the past that he was often a conduit for the views of the then Minister of Finance, Mr. Martin.
To begin with, I'd like to know if you intend to do your own analysis. Although I agree with the general approach set out in your brief, to the effect that the Conservatives are reducing the tax base and that we will eventually be short of money, the fact is that between April and June, the recorded surplus was $5.5 billion, which is much higher than forecasted. Still, the GST had not yet gone down at that point; it went down starting on July 1. So, I want to know whether you intend to carry out this analysis and, if so, whether you could pass on your conclusions to the Committee.
Second, I fully agree with you as regards tax competitiveness. People always talk only about the different taxes, but never about the services and programs that go along with them. In Quebec, for example, we have opted for more public services and more social programs; as a result, we pay more taxes. So, if we're only talking about the level of taxation, there is clearly no comparison between Quebec and Alberta, or even Ontario. However, we have studies showing that a middle class family with two children realizes a net gain of about $2,000 or $3,000 compared to Ontario. And compared to the northeastern United States, that gain rises to $6,000 or $7,000, because university tuition is lower, we have a $7-a-day daycare system, and so.
Would it not be a good idea to do this analysis in order to show that even though the tax rate is higher in Canada, we deliver a whole host of more important social programs that have repercussions -- you're right about that -- in terms of our competitiveness?
The Bridgestone/Firestone company invested some $50 million in Joliette. According to the company's president for North America, there are two reasons for that. First of all, our public medicare system means that the cost of insurance is more competitive in Canada and Quebec. Second, labour relations are very good with employees, who are unionized members of the CNTU.
Could you comment on that?