Mr. Speaker, I take great pleasure in speaking in today's debate. As I begin, I would like to inform you that I will be sharing my time with the hon. member for Trois-Rivières.
I am please to take part in this debate whose purpose is to shed some light on a number of facts I think are important if we believe Canada's tax system should be transparent.
The motion brought forward by the hon. member for Joliette reads as follows:
That, in the opinion of this House, in order to ensure tax equity, the government should terminate Canada's tax convention with Barbados, a tax haven, which enables wealthy Canadian taxpayers and companies to avoid their tax obligations, and should play a leadership role at the international level in activities to eliminate tax havens.
In my opinion, this debate, initiated by the hon. member for Joliette on behalf of the Bloc Quebecois, should be seen as part of a pattern demonstrating that we believe that social solidarity is an important value in a country that calls itself democratic and in a society where people believe in fair taxation. Such a society ought not to have a regressive tax system.
What is more normal than making corporations pay their taxes on Canadian and foreign profits. What is more fundamental, in a fair and just society, than making corporations abide by tax regulations as strictly as Quebeckers and Canadians must.
We have always believed in the need to take a stand against tax evasion by Quebeckers and Canadians. Why are we continuing to implement a tax system with double standards? Whether it is a big company, a bank or a shipping company, why do we adopt tax regulations and a tax system, through tax treaties, as with Barbados, that impose taxes of 2% on profits and avoid double taxation? On the flip side, individuals earning $30,000, $40,000 and $50,000 annually are treated quite differently.
In my opinion, this debate must be held in terms of social solidarity, fiscal equity and a fair tax equity policy.
Everyone agrees that the Canadian tax base must be preserved in order to provide public services. In our particular social context, the Canadian health and education system needs additional financial resources. Through these tax treaties and their endorsement, we are creating a tax invasion or rather evasion that is unacceptable to the public.