Mr. Speaker, in yesterday's budget there were a lot of questionable statements, but the biggest whopper of them all was the finance minister's claim of not raising taxes. Just days before the budget, the government raised compulsory Canada pension plan premiums, payroll taxes, by 70 per cent.
Since the Liberals came to power in 1993, income tax revenues have risen by over $15 billion, corporate tax revenues are up by almost $7 billion and the hated GST is bringing in almost $2 billion more.
How can the finance minister possibly claim that he is not raising taxes when federal tax revenues have increased by over $24 billion and the Canada pension payroll tax is being raised by 70 per cent?