Mr. Speaker, there is a member of the Reform Party saying “Tax, tax, tax”.
Let me say to the Reform Party that we are three weeks away from the Christmas adjournment. We are about five weeks away from the budget of Canada being locked in, which will be presented during the first part of next February.
I am a passionate believer in comprehensive tax reform. I was hoping that the Reform Party would focus and get some constructive debate going in the House on tax reform. Where have those members been? They stand up the odd time and say “tax reform”, but when was the last time they had an opposition day in the House on tax reform? When was the last time in question period they put 8 or 10 questions together on tax reform? They hit it now and again, sporadically.
Those people over there are not interested in tax reform in a substantive way. They throw it out now and again as though it were some kind of policy gimmick.
To talk about tax reform when debating an amendment to the Small Business Loans Act is a diversion and we will not be suckered by it. The legislation will go forward.
Do not mix tax reform with the Small Business Loans Act. Any day that the Reform Party of Canada wants to have an opposition day, or any kind of debate on comprehensive tax reform, I will stand in the House and support that type of debate.
To mix tax reform with the Small Business Loans Act amendment, when this is the backbone of the economy of this country, is just wrong. I stand here proudly and happily behind my parliamentary secretary in amending this act.