Evidence of meeting #152 for Finance in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was business.
A video is available from Parliament.
Conservative
Adam Chambers Conservative Simcoe North, ON
You don't agree that money printing or increasing the value of assets leads to more wealth inequality?
Assistant Professor, School of Public Health, Université de Montréal, As an Individual
On that, I agree. You asked about inflation, which is different.
Conservative
Adam Chambers Conservative Simcoe North, ON
Okay.
Over the last few years, what we've seen is huge asset price inflation, driven by money printing and cheap debt, which has increased the value of assets and which is actually responsible for producing wealth inequality. Maybe the government should be concerned about the things that gave rise to inflation. That might be something the government would consider addressing.
Ms. Yetman, I noticed that when you listed the programs that you were very happy the government was introducing, you didn't mention pharmacare. I'm just curious as to whether your members support pharmacare, as you are speaking on behalf of your members. Do they support the single-payer pharmacare program, or would they like to keep their plan?
President, Canadian Teachers' Federation
No, I did mention pharmacare. You probably didn't hear me.
Conservative
President, Canadian Teachers' Federation
I think pharmacare is really important. I am not an expert in that, and I don't know—
Conservative
Adam Chambers Conservative Simcoe North, ON
Do you support getting rid of your members' current health care plans in favour of a single-payer universal pharmacare model? I'm just trying to get an understanding of your position on pharmacare as an organization.
President, Canadian Teachers' Federation
Well, if you want me to talk personally, I can talk personally. My pharmacare is actually owned by me, believe it or not, because I belong to a union, and that's what they do. They take care of health care for me, so—
President, Canadian Teachers' Federation
—I actually like the idea that the federal government would help us out with that. That would be a wonderful thing.
Conservative
Adam Chambers Conservative Simcoe North, ON
If the plan were of lower quality than the one you have today, would you like to get rid of the plan you have today for another plan?
Conservative
Adam Chambers Conservative Simcoe North, ON
I don't know. I beg to differ. There are a lot of people who don't have any plan who would love to have a plan.
President, Canadian Teachers' Federation
Everybody should have a plan. There's something else. You see, there we go—
Liberal
September 19th, 2024 / 5:20 p.m.
Liberal
Rachel Bendayan Liberal Outremont, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I'd like to thank all the witnesses for appearing on this Conservative study on capital gains.
I'll begin my questions with Ms. Trottier.
Ms. Trottier, while you were providing your testimony, I couldn't help but notice the faces of shock and awe around this table. Among your philanthropist network and friends, are you alone in believing, as you do, that this capital gains policy is a good idea?
Philanthropist, As an Individual
I am far from alone. I'm really glad to be collaborating with a group of millionaires across Canada who strongly agree that this change is a step in the right direction. We're joined by colleagues from across the globe in agreeing that this is a very, very good thing.
Liberal
Rachel Bendayan Liberal Outremont, QC
I find that interesting, because I haven't seen much in the media from this particular point of view. I do note, of course, your publication in Policy Options of May 27, 2024. Is that the only publication you have authored?
Philanthropist, As an Individual
That's the only one I authored about this particular change.
I do find it interesting that there weren't many voices in the media in support of this change. Especially early on, a lot of newspapers and television programs had a lot of people making quite grandiose claims about the dangers of this change. In my view at least, there was not much space given to those who are actually in favour of this change.
I'm very encouraged to be here today with witnesses who have a lot of expertise and who are in agreement that this is a step in the right direction. I hope those voices are heard, because surveys show that the vast majority of Canadians are in favour of taxing the rich, so I believe Canadians are in favour of this change.
Liberal
Rachel Bendayan Liberal Outremont, QC
Your earlier testimony was to the effect that this change wouldn't impact your investment decisions in the business you mentioned in your opening remarks. Is that correct?
