Mr. Speaker, I share the concern of the hon. member about the way the government continues to utilize the House as a tool for its own short term purposes. It refuses to treat the House of Commons with the respect that it clearly deserves and treat Canadians with the respect that they clearly deserve.
I will speak on Bill C-502, an act to amend the Tax Act. I will then discuss some of the types of tax reforms in a more holistic since that I believe is necessary in Canada.
We are supportive of this private member's bill, which deals with an amendment to the Income Tax Act, to allow the deduction of expenses for mechanic tools required in employment. This is not the first time this important issue has been raised in the House. It is not the first time that the government has not dealt with this issue, despite the fact that the finance committee has recommended that there be changes to the Income Tax Act to reflect the intent of the legislation. Beyond the fact that there is widespread support for this issue, there is multi-partisan support, including the Reform Party, the New Democratic Party, the Progressive Conservative Party and the Bloc Quebecois.
The bill, if implemented, will have a positive impact on one of the most important industries in Canada, the automobile industry. There are over 115,000 mechanics working and paying taxes in Canada. Mechanics have a very significant initial cost to enter the trade. Effectively, some initially invest an average of $15,000 in tools. Some initially invest as much as $40,000 in tools. They will have to replace this worn out equipment and buy newer equipment every year. It is like members of parliament. We have a very short shelf life. Sometimes we only last four years. Our depreciation rate is very rapid. However, these expenses are very difficult to justify when we consider that the average income for a mechanic is about $29,000 per year.
This is a very important piece of legislation. It is difficult for mechanics and people in this industry.
I hear the phone going off. It is probably the results of the vote. It reminds me of the song by Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash “We got married in a fever hotter than a pepper sprout” and we have been looking for Preston ever since the fire went out. That is another story.