Mr. Speaker, I am happy to reply to the member for Calgary Centre.
I understand the issue of payroll taxes. All of us would like taxes, no matter where they are, to be lower than they currently are. We have heard the Minister of Finance say it in his view, and indeed that of the Prime Minister, taxes in Canada should be reduced. I am very heartened that we are actually moving in the right direction.
To answer the member's direct question, I suggest that he should read the OECD report on Canada's economy. It will show that payroll taxes in Canada are one of the lowest in the OECD. In other words, once again we are looking at the competitive global environment in which we are competing. The reality is Canada's payroll taxes are one of the lowest.
I am not saying that is something of which we should be totally and utterly proud. Certainly we would like to reduce taxes at all levels, but relative to the ability of the restaurant industry to compete both domestically and in the tourist industry, which is very related to international competition, our payroll taxes are one of the lowest. They already have a competitive advantage because of that.