Debates of Nov. 28th, 1994

Budgetary Policy

[François Langlois, Bloc, Bellechasse, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I always appreciate what the hon. member for St. Boniface has to say in this House. I would like to ask the hon. member whether, to his dying breath-I was going to say, looking at the hon. member for Bonaventure-Îles-de-la-Madeleine, when it really comes to the crunch-he will objet to any tampering by the government with RRSPs?

For the average Canadian taxpayer, it is practically the only vehicle available, one that was used by our parents and grandparents to save some money for their retirement. Today, however, that feeling of security has vanished because they are concerned government policies may cut into the savings that many have been keeping for their retirement. In view of galloping inflation, they may think this vehicle is no longer a safe one. Has the hon. member for St. Boniface met people in his constituency who have the same concerns? And how did he respond to those concerns?

[Ronald J. Duhamel, Liberal, St. Boniface, MB]

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the hon. member's question. Yes, that question came up several times. I am not prepared to support taxes or measures that will prevent any man, woman or couple from retiring with the money they need to live with a certain amount of dignity.

Before making a statement, however, and this is not to evade the issue, I want to understand the larger picture, what the Minister of Finance intends to do. If you ask me today to say yes or no, I cannot do that as a responsible member, because I do not know yet-I have the impression I will probably know as soon as you do-what will be in the budget that is brought down in February.

However, I can assure the hon. member that the question was raised. Yes, my answers were similar to the one I just gave and yes, I intend to support measures that will make the system fairer, if possible, and also fairer in the perception of the general public. I do not want measures that will prevent people from retiring with enough money to live with a lot of dignity, not just a little.

[The Acting Speaker (Mr. Kilger)]

The member's time has elapsed and rather than ask someone to begin an intervention with little more than a minute left would there be unanimous consent that I see the clock as being 6.30 p.m.?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

The House resumed from November 24 consideration of Bill C-57, an act to implement the agreement establishing the World Trade Organization, as reported (with amendments) from the committee; and Motions Nos. 1, 2, 8, 9 and 10.

World Trade Organization Agreement Implementation Act

[The Acting Speaker (Mr. Kilger)]

It being 6.30 p.m., pursuant to Standing Order 45 the House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred divisions at the report stage of Bill C-57, an act to implement the agreement establishing the World Trade Organization.

Call in the members.

And the division bells having rung:

[Gilles Duceppe, Bloc, Laurier—Sainte-Marie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I think you will find there is unanimous consent for proceeding first with Motion No. 10.

[The Acting Speaker (Mr. Kilger)]

Agreed?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[The Acting Speaker (Mr. Kilger)]

The first vote will be on Motion No. 10, standing in the name of the hon. member for Verchères.

(The House divided on the motion, which was negatived on the following division:)

[The Acting Speaker (Mr. Kilger)]

I declare the motion lost.

[Don Boudria, Liberal, Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I think you would find unanimous consent that the vote taken on report stage Motion No. 10 be applied to report stage Motion Nos. 1, 2, 8 and 9.

[Warren Allmand, Liberal, Notre-Dame-De-Grâce, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I do not wish to be registered as opposing Motion No. 9.

[The Acting Speaker (Mr. Kilger)]

All other votes stand as recorded on Motion No. 10. Accordingly, Motions Nos. 1, 2 and 8 are negatived.

(The House divided on Motion No. 9, which was negatived on the following division:)

[Roy MacLaren, Liberal, Minister for International Trade]

moved that the bill, as amended, be concurred in.

[The Acting Speaker (Mr. Kilger)]

Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[Some hon. members]

No.

[The Acting Speaker (Mr. Kilger)]

All those in favour of the motion will please say yea.

[Some hon. members]

Yea.

[The Acting Speaker (Mr. Kilger)]

All those opposed will please say nay.

[Some hon. members]

Nay.

[The Acting Speaker (Mr. Kilger)]

In my opinion the yeas have it.

[Don Boudria, Liberal, Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I think you would find unanimous consent that the whips of each party indicate the way the members of their party will vote. For my part, the Liberal members will vote yea to that particular motion.

[Gilles Duceppe, Bloc, Laurier—Sainte-Marie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the members of the Bloc Quebecois will also support this motion.