Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Before I begin, I want to thank the committee on behalf of my oldest son, who has just turned 15 years of age. He'll be thrilled to know that he is now the Minister of Finance for Canada--John Flaherty, right in front of me here. I hope I can take the sign with me when I leave. I'm sure he'd love to have it at home. He would be thrilled with that.
I have a few opening remarks, as you said. I'll try not to go on for too long, Mr. Chair.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for the opportunity to appear before this committee to discuss Bill C-13, which implements certain measures in Budget 2006.
This government's first budget delivers on the commitments we made to Canadians during the election campaign. This plan delivers real results for Canadians and will contribute to stronger families, safer communities, and a better Canada.
I would like to focus my remarks today on two areas at the core of the bill before the committee today. Indeed, they represent what the government stands for; I'm speaking about tax relief and child care.
First, on tax reductions, it became clear during pre-budget consultations, Mr. Chair, what Canadians were up against: government was taking too big a bite out of their paycheques.
Middle-class Canadians and their families told me that they were working harder and harder, but getting less and less in return.
I kept telling them to wait until the budget day. Now that day is over and we have kept our promise to Canadians. Budget 2006 proposals will leave significantly more money in the pockets of Canadians, and the budget delivers greater benefits, especially for middle-income families, than were anticipated under the tax measures proposed in 2005.
With these measures, the government is not only keeping its word to Canadians on cutting the GST, but it is also going much farther in delivering immediate, real, and continuing results for people across the country. In fact, the budget provides almost $20 billion in tax relief for individuals over the next two years. Mr. Chair, this is more than the last four federal budgets combined. The tax measures in this budget will remove some 655,000 people completely from the federal income tax rolls.
The tax reduction measures start with a key commitment of the new government, the reduction of the GST to 6% from 7%. As I said, this measure delivers on a commitment this government made to Canadians. This key measure of our tax reduction plan will put money in the pockets of Canadians every time they buy something for themselves, their families, or their homes. This is a real tax cut for all Canadians. Effective July 1--Canada Day--and assuming the bill passes, Canadians will see this tax cut in action every time they buy something. This tax cut will benefit all Canadians by $8.7 billion over two years--even those lower-income Canadians who don't pay income tax, who make up about a third of Canadians.
Let's look at some concrete examples. A person spending $30,000 on a new car will save $300 in GST. For young families buying a new $200,000 home, the GST savings are $1,280, after taking into account the GST rebate on new housing. These are substantial savings, Mr. Chair.
The date of July 1, 2006, has been the subject of some comment. I can tell you it was chosen to ease the administrative transition for Canadian businesses. It will provide all businesses--large, medium, and small--with sufficient advance notice to modify their cash registers, computers, and other systems. The date also coincides with GST filing periods--not only for monthly filers, but also for smaller businesses that file quarterly. Finally, as you know, there are three provinces that have a harmonized sales tax/consumption tax system, and the agreements with those provinces require the federal government to give at least two months' notice, which I did shortly before the budget.
It is also important to remind the committee members that the GST will be reduced by a further percentage point in a future budget, providing Canadians with more money in their pockets.
The GST cut is an important step in the right direction, but it's only one part of our tax relief plan. In every way the government takes money from Canadians, the government will take less of it. We made a promise to reduce the GST, and we have kept that promise. Budget 2006 goes beyond that promise by proposing additional tax relief for Canadians.
The bill proposes to increase the basic personal amount--the amount that an individual can earn without paying federal income tax--so that it grows each year and remains above currently legislated levels for 2005, 2006, and 2007. This includes preserving the $500 increase scheduled for 2005. The basic personal amount will continue to grow with indexation; in addition, there will be a permanent $100 increase in 2007.
In total, this budget will provide more than $26 billion in tax relief over the period from 2005-06 to 2007-08. Of this sum of approximately $26 billion, more than 90% will go to individuals and families in Canada. That's not the end of the story, either.
The Harper Government recognizes that lower taxes for businesses are essential if Canada is to remain competitive. They will encourage the investment necessary to create jobs and ultimately improve the living standards of Canadians.
The Canadian Chamber of Commerce was clear in its support of the government's action on this front. Following the introduction of this year's budget, the CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce said this:
The government has heard our call and acknowledged the need to reduce the tax burden of Canadian taxpayers and businesses alike, in order to make Canada more competitive.
To make Canada's tax system more competitive for businesses, Bill C-13 proposes to set out a significant business tax relief plan that will reduce the general corporate income tax rate from 21% to 19% by January 1, 2010. It proposes to eliminate the corporate surtax for all corporations in 2008. And it proposes to eliminate the federal capital tax as of January 1, 2006, two years ahead of schedule.
To further encourage small business growth in Canada, Bill C-13 proposes to increase the amount of small business income eligible for the reduced federal tax rate to $400,000 from the current limit of $300,000 as of January 1, 2007. This bill also proposes to reduce the current 12% income tax rate applying to qualifying small business income to 11.5% in 2008 and 11% in 2009.
Tax measures in this bill go even beyond what I've already outlined. For example, this government recognizes the invaluable role played by charities in assisting Canadians and in contributing to our sense of community. It also recognizes important projects in the cultural, educational, and social sectors. So to encourage charitable living, this bill proposes to eliminate capital gains tax on certain donations to charities. It also increases support for the Canada Council for the Arts.
I must say, Mr. Chairman, I am just thrilled by hearing in the last almost a month now from across Canada about the substantial amount of charitable contributions that are proposed to be made assuming this bill passes. There are millions and millions of dollars in publicly traded securities that are going to be given to important institutions in Canada as a result of this budget, assuming Bill C-13 passes.
As Karen Kain, the chair of the Canada Council for the Arts, said:
This government has recognized the value and importance of the arts to the quality of the lives of Canadians and their communities;
At the risk of sounding something like a broken record, this government has done even more. Time doesn't permit me to outline every measure proposed in the budget, but I would just quickly mention the children's fitness tax credit and the pension income credit. These initiatives will help improve the quality of life for all Canadians, both young and old.
I mentioned at the outset the child care credit. This government has kept its promise to cut taxes for Canadians. It is a priority for this government. We also recognize that each family has its own challenges and that no two families are alike. And it's individuals, not the government, who are in the best position to make the right choices for themselves and their families.
That is why Budget 2006 announced the kind of investments that will make a real difference to parents, by providing more choice in childcare for families with young children.
As a result of the budget measures proposed in Bill C-13, total direct federal support to families will be approximately $11.7 billion for the 2006-07 benefit year, with the vast majority of benefits directed to low- and middle-income families in Canada.
At the heart of this support is the proposed new universal child care benefit, $100 per month for each child under age 6 effective July 1, 2006, assuming the bill passes. This proposed measure will help give parents the flexibility to choose the child care option that best suits their family's needs.
An important part of this initiative--and there was some anticipatory criticism pre-budget about this--is that the universal child care benefit will not have other federal benefits clawed back. In other words, benefits paid under the Canada child tax benefit and the goods and services tax credit will not be reduced on account of the new benefit. The benefit will also not be considered income for the purposes of federal income-tested programs delivered outside of the income tax system, such as the guaranteed income supplement, the Canada education savings grant, the Canada learning bond, and employment insurance.
The government also recognizes that the availability of quality child care is a challenge for many working parents. To support the creation of child care spaces, this bill proposes to set aside $250 million per year beginning in 2007-08. The government will consult with provinces and territories, employers, and community non-profit organizations to ensure that assistance is effective in creating additional child care spaces. It must also be responsive to the needs of parents and administered in an efficient and accountable manner.
So summing up, Mr. Chair, this government has kept its commitments to Canadians. With this bill we are reducing taxes; with this bill we are providing choice in child care; with this bill we are delivering results.
And we are doing all of this in a way that is fiscally responsible, that will pay down debt, contain government expenses and deliver the greatest value for taxpayer dollars.
I would now be pleased to answer any questions from the committee, Mr. Chair. Officials from the Department of Finance have also joined me to assist in answering questions.
Thank you.