Evidence of meeting #83 for Finance in the 41st Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was benefit.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Rajotte
Thank you very much, Ms. Decter.
Colleagues, we'll do five-minute rounds for this panel.
We'll start with Mr. Cullen, please.
NDP
Nathan Cullen NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC
Thank you to our witnesses this morning.
I'll start with you, Mr. Heath. I go by “dada” these days, by the way. It switched a few months ago.
What kind of child care will $160 a month get you ?
As an Individual
Not much. I live north of Toronto. I think back to when my kids were starting day care when they were one year old. It was probably at least $1,500 a month, $18,000 per year per child.
NDP
Nathan Cullen NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC
When we ask the government what their plan is to assist in building child care spaces in Canada, they say that $160 a month will do it. Would you put your kid in $160-a-month child care?
As an Individual
I wish I could find it financially, but I would not like to find it from other perspectives, so I would say no.
NDP
Nathan Cullen NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC
One of the things we've been hearing from the OECD and from a number of international economists is that growing inequality actually hampers an economy. Inequality grows and the economy and productivity drops, and competitiveness drops.
Mr. Laurin, I wonder if you've had any research at the C.D. Howe Institute showing the impacts of inequality.
Director of Research, C.D. Howe Institute, As an Individual
We've had no recent study on this topic particularly, not that we've published at the C.D. Howe Institute.
Director of Research, C.D. Howe Institute, As an Individual
It's in our plans, though.
NDP
Nathan Cullen NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC
Good.
One of my questions for you is that there have been changes to the way income splitting has been designed. What percentage of Canadian households does it help in its redesign?
Director of Research, C.D. Howe Institute, As an Individual
The redesign will not change the proportion of families who benefit or don't benefit.
NDP
Nathan Cullen NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC
So we're still at 15% of Canadian families, or a little less than 15%.
Director of Research, C.D. Howe Institute, As an Individual
Of census families, yes, that wouldn't change, but then you would include all census families. It also includes seniors and whatever.
NDP
Nathan Cullen NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC
Mr. Wudrick, how much have the Conservatives added to the national debt since taking power?
Federal Director, Canadian Taxpayers Federation
Approximately $150 billion.
NDP
Nathan Cullen NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC
Approximately a little north of $150 billion, $4,500 or so for every man, woman, and child in the country, I think, according to your group.
Did the Conservatives run a deficit this year?
NDP
Nathan Cullen NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC
Income splitting is essentially a retroactive policy costing about $2 billion.
Is it a good move to borrow $2 billion in order to bring in a program that helps 15% of Canadian families?
Federal Director, Canadian Taxpayers Federation
I think generally our position is that borrowing to spend is a bad idea.