I hear the member. If he had heard the speech he would well know the reason he is pushing RRSPs is to earn enormous commissions without providing his clients the kind of information they really need to know. It is not only how to get money into an RRSP. It is how to tax plan to get it out at the lowest effective tax cost to the taxpayer and to the family. That is an important issue.
The rat fink phone line to turn in taxpayers is quite a draconian and extreme measure.
Bill C-93 is related to some extent to Bill C-92. It deals ostensibly with the provisions of the budget of February 18. The parliamentary secretary raised some extremely important issues with regard to EI and the relief to be given to businesses with premiums of less than $60,000. There was to be a grace period for EI premiums for new employees, an important aspect with regard to the overall strategy of the government in promoting economic growth and jobs for Canadians. The subsequent reduction of EI premiums for businesses is estimated to create an additional 20,000 jobs.
These kinds of elements in the budget brought down by the hon. Minister of Finance continue to show the commitment of the government to the growth of jobs for Canadians. As he has said and as the Prime Minister said on many occasions, as long as there is one Canadian out there who wants to work and who has not had an opportunity for a job they will continue to look for opportunities to promote an environment which will provide those essential jobs.
I cannot help but comment on the plight of young people. They are in a situation where they are competing for their first jobs with people who have already been in the labour force for many years because of the number of jobs that were lost, particularly the entry level jobs. It is an extremely serious situation for young people because it is not their fault. They have the education to a great extent and are looking for a chance.
In terms of its work with the provinces, internship and apprenticeship programs and other partnerships will tend to create the foundation that is essential to providing important jobs.
I have a message for young people, particularly those in high school. I have done a little of research since becoming a member of Parliament. I have spoken to the Peel Board of Education about the percentage of dropouts in high school. I was astounded to find out there were no hard and fast statistics because of re-entry into high school by people who formerly dropped out.
There are some rationalizations that somehow someone who has dropped out and comes back in and completes high school is just as successful as those who start and complete their high school education.
We can imagine the condition of young people's lives vis-à-vis their families when they have taken the decision to drop out before finishing high school. I imagine the parents feel sadness that their children did not have the motivation, support or whatever it was at a time when they really needed it and when it was so important for them to continue school.
People who have not finished high school have a tremendous problem finding that entry level position. We cannot expect small businesses that are struggling to compete to hire high school dropouts. Those jobs are gone in the new high tech global economy. Canada's role is to provide knowledge based jobs. Our young people have to understand that for them to earn a spot in the labour force it is essential that they as a minimum complete their high school education.
As an aside I pass on to young people that if there is anything they could possibly do, they must continue their education through high school. Hopefully they will find the motivation and a linkage to a community college or some other opportunity to develop their skills and talents. Every Canadian has something to contribute to a knowledge based economy if they would only invest a little of their time in its development.
In this last portion I would simply like to make a couple of comments about the child tax benefit. Members will know that some years ago there was an item called family allowance. Family allowance was a universal benefit given to all Canadians regardless of income. That changed over time. We now have a child tax benefit. It is effectively income tested. It provides assistance effectively to those with children who are in need.
The budget provides for an enrichment of the child tax benefit. As the parliamentary secretary laid out, the benefit for a couple with one child would be $1,625; for two children, $3,050; and for every additional child over two, $1,425.
The House has talked about an issue called a caregiver tax credit. It is a concept where we are looking for opportunities to provide financial or tax assistance to families who choose to provide care in the home not only to preschool children but also the chronically ill, the aged or the disabled.
The enrichment of the child tax benefit goes a long way to improving the support we have given to families with children. I continue to advocate on behalf of my constituents that the finance minister and all colleagues of the House look for ways to continue to enrich the support we should be giving to families who need help.
We will have an opportunity to talk about this issue much more. I simply wanted to reiterate the importance of the enrichment of the child tax benefit to assist families. I appreciate the opportunity to have participated in the debate on Bill C-93 and urge all members to support it.