Madam Speaker, I have to say that the argument I have just heard from the member across the way is a completely ridiculous one.
The fact is that Don Drummond, in this report that I hold in my hand, criticized the government for the fact that it has not allowed Canadians to keep more of what they earn. He points out a 3.6% rise in incomes in 15 years. On the last page of his report, he states:
The tax burden on individuals must also be reduced. The top marginal federal-provincial personal income tax rates is over 45 per cent, which is nearly equivalent to sending half of a worker's earned income to the government, not to mention that it kicks in at relatively modest income levels.
He goes on to state:
And, more modest income levels get hit with the combination of taxes and claw backs in benefit payments that can raise the effective marginal tax rate to 80 per cent.
If this is that member's idea of a tax cut, I am afraid he has a lot to learn.