Madam Speaker, the one thing I can say about the NDP members is that they are consistent. They opposed the GST when it was introduced and they continue to oppose it. At one point they opposed free trade and they continue to oppose it. We at least know what the NDP members are thinking and they have been consistent over a period of time.
The Liberals on the other hand do not suffer under the yoke of policy consistency or integrity on public policy and can thus move back and forth wherever they want on these issues.
I think most people would agree that a large part of the underground economy is due to the fact that taxes are too high in Canada. Income taxes are too high, capital gains taxes are too high and payroll taxes are too high. We have to evaluate which types of taxes have the most dilatory effect on the Canadian economy.
I would argue that it is not the consumption taxes in a global environment. In a traditional sense, consumption taxes would reduce the consumption of Canadian produced goods which would reduce growth in the economy. In the new economy, it is income taxes that reduce the ability of Canadians to save and invest. Productivity levels are very closely related to investment. It is capital gains taxes that prevent Canadians from unleashing their capital and selling assets to invest in new and innovative opportunities. Those are the taxes that are punishing Canadians and reducing Canadian growth in the new economy. It is not the GST.
I would argue that the underground economy has more to do with the general rates of taxation, in particular income taxes, which are reducing the personal disposable income of Canadians. The hon. member said that if he were a contractor and approached me and asked me if I would pay him under the table, I would not do that. I pay my GST.