Debates of Jan. 31st, 1994

Government Expenditure

[Art Hanger, Reform, Calgary Northeast, AB]

Mr. Speaker, a supplementary question.

Will the finance minister issue a guarantee to the millions of Canadian taxpayers who are concerned about their future RRSP investments that their contribution ceiling will not be lowered to pay for these programs?

[Paul Martin, Liberal, Minister of Finance and Minister responsible for the Federal Office of Regional Development -Quebec]

Mr. Speaker, that is a somewhat generous definition of a supplementary question.

As I have said many times before in this House, we are engaged in an unprecedented degree of consultation. We are really going to have a very unique day in the House tomorrow when members of Parliament for probably the first time will have the opportunity to engage in a pre-budget consultation.

[David Dingwall, Liberal, Cape Breton—East Richmond, NS]

The first time in the Canadian Parliament.

[Paul Martin, Liberal, LaSalle—Émard, QC]

First time in the Canadian Parliament says someone who has been here since Confederation.

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh.

[David Dingwall, Liberal, Cape Breton—East Richmond, NS]

That was a low blow.

[Paul Martin, Liberal, LaSalle—Émard, QC]

Seeing is believing, Mr. Speaker.

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh.

[The Speaker]

I am sure the hon. minister is coming to his answer.

[Paul Martin, Liberal, LaSalle—Émard, QC]

I am sure, Mr. Speaker, that the hon. member would not want me to foreclose the debate but really wants to see the debate continue. Under those circumstances I am not going to make specific comments on specific issues.

I really want to hear what members opposite and the Canadian people have to say.

Taxation

[Yvan Loubier, Bloc, Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot, QC]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Finance. Following his pre-budgetary consultations across Canada and after talking about broadening the tax base, the Minister of Finance identified certain measures that the government could take to increase its revenues. These included lowering the ceiling on RRSP contributions, eliminating the $100,000 capital gains exemption, reducing the scope of old age pensions, taxing health care and dental care premiums paid by employers, in short, initiatives that affect the middle class which has been reeling since 1984 under the Canadian tax system.

Can the minister tell us clearly and frankly if he intends to follow through on all of these initiatives?

[Paul Martin, Liberal, Minister of Finance and Minister responsible for the Federal Office of Regional Development-Quebec]

Mr. Speaker, I will repeat what I said earlier. I am eagerly looking forward to tomorrow's debate and I really want to hear what members have to say. Of course, I am also anxious to hear the response of the Bloc Quebecois finance critic. I do not intend to choose from among the suggestions put forward. Rather, I will wait for the debate. In due time, the member will see what is in the budget.

[Yvan Loubier, Bloc, Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I have a supplementary question. Why has the minister not hinted publicly, as he has done with respect to all of the previous measures, at the elimination of the preferential tax treatment afforded large corporations and especially at the elimination of family trusts which, according to a weekend report by Claude Picher in La Presse , deprive the treasury of roughly $350 million? Is the minister afraid to target the friends of the government?

[Paul Martin, Liberal, Minister of Finance and Minister responsible for the Federal Office of Regional Development-Quebec]

Just wait for my budget!

[The Speaker]

Hon. members must always remember to address the Chair.

Members Of Parliament

[Randy White, Reform, Fraser Valley West, BC]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Deputy Prime Minister.

Last Monday the hon. member for Broadview-Greenwood rose in the House to express his concern about Canadians being fed up with consultation and I presume that meant through consultants.

The government is currently paying a consultant to conduct a study into such issues as perks and pensions for senators and MPs both past and present.

Why did the Deputy Prime Minister, as reported in the Montreal Gazette , recommend that all MPs take part in yet another study at taxpayers' expense, especially in light of the fact that the government has already announced its position on perks and pensions.

[Sheila Copps, Liberal, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Environment]

Mr. Speaker, the article in the Montreal Gazette was false. There were never any letters signed by me sent out to any members.

There is, however, a process being put in place through the President of the Treasury Board where in advance of a bill that is going to be tabled specifically dealing with members' pensions and the so-called perks of members of Parliament we are asking for the input of all members.

That survey actually went out under the signature of the Parliamentary Secretary to the President of the Treasury Board. He is asking for input from all members of Parliament so that we can take into consideration the concerns expressed every day in the House by members of Parliament and others.

Again it is a necessary part of getting our act together to make sure that we are being responsible to the Canadian taxpayers who pay our salaries.

[Randy White, Reform, Fraser Valley West, BC]

Mr. Speaker, my supplementary question concerns the $200,000 survey which was originally supposed to be $150,000. It was prompted by the comment of the Minister of Finance who mentioned a narrow point of view earlier. Could the Deputy Prime Minister explain to the House how asking senators and MPs, both past and present, what they think of their own compensation is any different from asking the fox to guard the hen house?

[Sheila Copps, Liberal, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Environment]

Mr. Speaker, I understand the concern of the hon. member about hearing the views of Canadians on this issue. That is why the Government of Canada has asked members of Parliament, who presumably represent the views of their constituents, if I understand the assessment of the Reform Party properly, to express their views. We are asking all members of Parliament to express their views.

Unfortunately every constituent cannot express his or her views by way of a questionnaire. But if any member of Parliament would like to copy that questionnaire and send it off to their constituents, please do so. We are looking for input. We do not think the Government of Canada should be criticized for looking for input on an issue which obviously every Canadian is very concerned about.

Small Business

[David Iftody, Liberal, Provencher, MB]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the minister responsible for western economic development.

During the election campaign the Liberals made a commitment to assist small business, to increase availability of venture capital, and to promote regional co-operation between provinces and industry.

Given western Canada's trade profile, notably continued heavy reliance on natural resources and our leadership role in the Asian Pacific markets, what initiatives has the minister undertaken to fulfil the government's promises to assist small business in western Canada?

[Lloyd Axworthy, Liberal, Minister of Human Resources Development and Minister of Western Economic Diversification]

Mr. Speaker, in answer to the hon. member's question, it is very useful to set out the initiatives already taken. We have shifted the funding formula to targets, specifically small business in western Canada, and have used a part of the portfolio to begin working directly with industry based groups so that we can help them develop export markets.

To give one example, on Friday I met with all the provincial ministers of western economic development where we discussed how we can work together and collaborate on joint programs. We announced at that time a joint program to aid the agri-food processing industry of western Canada to develop its export markets in the United States.

That is a clear example of working with industry, working with a province, getting good value for our money and creating jobs for westerners.

Postal Service

[Paul Crête, Bloc, Kamouraska—Rivière-Du-Loup, QC]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Public Works and Government Services, who imposed a moratorium on post office closings by Canada Post. This decision is partly due to the memorable fight by Saint-Clément residents to receive adequate postal service. Could the Minister tell us how long this moratorium will last?

[David Dingwall, Liberal, Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Minister for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for his question.

He knows that in November I placed a moratorium on post office closings and not one post office across this country has been closed since.

I want to tell the hon. member that we are reviewing the situation. Discussions are taking place. I hope to be in a position within a matter of weeks to come back to the House and share an affirmative decision with members present.

[Paul Crête, Bloc, Kamouraska—Rivière-Du-Loup, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I recognize that no post offices have closed, but I think we should also admit that this comes as a result of the residents' fight.

Is the Minister going to meet with rural residents to consider solutions that are less costly but different from those favoured by Canada Post and that will satisfy rural residents in the end?

[David Dingwall, Liberal, Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Minister for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency]

Mr. Speaker, I believe the hon. member is being sincere in his representations, but I wish to inform him that members on this side of the House, particularly those who represent rural ridings, have been working diligently with me, as the minister responsible, to ensure that rural post offices do not close and that we find other ways to enhance their viability in the different communities across the country.