Chair, I would like to comment on that, simply because I had a conversation about this, and we are talking about corporate tax reductions. So I would suggest to you, Chair, as I'm sure you're well aware, that it is what I was invited to speak about today. The motion that was put forward was to discuss and find out the actual costs and benefits of those reductions.
I would like to put on the record here what the Canadian Federation of Independent Business has actually said about tax reductions and the benefits to the 107,000 members of that federation. I quote:
For the record, independent businesses do support the series of general corporate tax cuts that will be completed next year.... The Tories were right to say that their decision to bring the rate down to 16.5% this year and 15% in 2012 had the support of CFIB and small business.
The Liberals were also right to say a cut in the general corporate tax rate was not CFIB's top priority for 2012. In addition to the fact that we operated from the assumption the corporate tax cut was already in place....
I would remind honourable members that there was a miscommunication in question period one day, where Mr. Brison suggested otherwise, and he was kindly reminded that CFIB actually does support the reduction of costs to businesses. I'm not sure if he has had a chance to phone Catherine yet and apologize
I think she's still waiting, Mr. Brison.