Madam Speaker, I hold my hon. colleague in high esteem since he always makes very intelligent comments. I would like to hold up some of his comments to some factual statements made by members from the maritimes.
The hon. member mentioned in his speech that Bill C-70 would increase efficiency and provide a climate of working together. I want to take the time to quote some statements from our provincial counterparts.
Ontario finance minister Ernie Eves said that the blended sales tax using the GST base would cost Ontarians over $3 billion in extra taxes and put a kibosh on any other harmonization schemes. In the business community, the Retail Council of Canada said that by forcing stores to bury the new tax in prices, the harmonized tax regime was going to cost retailers at least $100 million a year. The Halifax Chamber of Commerce predicted that the harmonized sales tax would push up new house prices by 5.5 per cent as well as force municipalities to raise property taxes. I have other examples. I am sure this is no news to the hon. member opposite.
In view of the statements I have just made, which contradict what the member said, I would certainly like to know how he can stand in the House and say that Bill C-70 and the harmonization of the tax is actually going to increase efficiency and provide a climate of co-operation. Clearly many members in the business and political communities in the maritimes and the rest of this country are blatantly against it.