Mr. Speaker, if the finance minister needed any more evidence that there exists a desperate need for tax relief in this country, it was delivered by the Centre for Social Justice.
The recently released study highlighted some very interesting points. One wonders how the minister responds to the fact that working class Canadian families are working harder than they did 10 years ago but have less to show for their extra efforts.
What about the fact that between 1989 and 1996 the average Canadian family saw its income decline by over $4,000. Is this the type of society we want to live in and pass on to our children? A tax break for middle and lower income Canadians is needed immediately.
This would be an important first step toward reducing the poverty which currently exists.
My advice to the finance minister is to read the report and go back to the drawing board.