Mr. Speaker, I would like to make a comment about the government since it was elected in 1993, about how it claims to have done such a good job with taxes and about how taxes have not gone up.
Government members seem to forget that the tax on life insurance premiums were extended. At the low end it brought in an extra $120 million a year and at the high end $210 million. They seem to forget that the lifetime capital gains exemption was eliminated, which at its high point brought in $415 million in a given year.
They seem to forget deductions for business meals were reduced, which resulted at its high in $275 million more to the government. They forget the changes to the tax treatment of securities which resulted in $60 million more per year. They forgot about the air transportation tax which resulted in $41 million in its highest year. They forgot about the accelerated capital cost allowances and the $45 million it brought in, in its highest year. The excise tax on gasoline brought in $500 million. The excise tax on tobacco increased by $65 million per year.
They forgot about the reduction on the RRSP overcontribution which brought in $10 million per year. They forgot about the world income tax of non-resident pensions that brought in $10 million per year. They forgot about the RRSP withdrawal age dropping down to 69, which brought in $45 million. They forgot about another increase on tobacco that brought in $100 million.
They forgot about the overseas employment credit which brought in $10 million. They forgot about the EI premiums for part-time workers which brought in $1 billion. They forgot about EI premiums going from 3% to 3.07%, which brought in $400 million, and the bracket creep which resulted in them redefining income and bringing in $3.6 billion more. That was just the last time.
When the increase to the CPP was brought in it was the 37th tax increase. This one is the 38th. How can they possibly say they have reduced or kept taxes decent?