House of Commons Hansard #6 of the 40th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was economy.

Topics

The EconomyOral Questions

2:20 p.m.

Bloc

Gilles Duceppe Bloc Laurier—Sainte-Marie, QC

Mr. Speaker, when the Prime Minister called the election, he...

The EconomyOral Questions

2:20 p.m.

Some hon. members

Oh, oh!

The EconomyOral Questions

2:20 p.m.

Liberal

The Speaker Liberal Peter Milliken

Order, please. It is impossible for the Chair to hear what the hon. member for Laurier—Sainte-Marie, who has the floor, is saying.

The EconomyOral Questions

2:20 p.m.

Bloc

Gilles Duceppe Bloc Laurier—Sainte-Marie, QC

Mr. Speaker, when the Prime Ministercalled the election, he said it was because of the economic crisis. During his campaign he kept on repeating that there was no deficit looming on the horizon, no threat of recession. Today he is admitting that there will be a deficit in his next budget and that recession is indeed on the doorstep.

Can the Prime Ministerexplain to us why it was urgent to have an election because of the economic crisis, whereas now it is not as urgent to take action to deal with that same economic crisis?

The EconomyOral Questions

2:20 p.m.

Whitby—Oshawa Ontario

Conservative

Jim Flaherty ConservativeMinister of Finance

Mr. Speaker, it is plain that no one in the world predicted the kind of economic downturn and the severity and depth of the economic downturn that we have experienced in the last 12 weeks.

I thank the member opposite and his party for at least putting forth some constructive suggestions. I had the opportunity to discuss them today with the Bloc representative. This is important in terms of all members of the House, I hope, putting forward constructive suggestions on stimulating the Canadian economy in an unprecedented time.

The EconomyOral Questions

2:25 p.m.

Bloc

Gilles Duceppe Bloc Laurier—Sainte-Marie, QC

Mr. Speaker, it is all very well to speak of constructive suggestions, and I appreciate it that they are being looked at, but could he now do more than look at them and present a plan this Thursday? It is not enough to merely state that there is a crisis. Just about everybody is aware of that, except the Prime Minister, who was oblivious to it during the election campaign. Now that he does realize its existence, just saying so is not enough. What proposals will he make? Will he, among other things, put forward the proposals we have made to him?

The EconomyOral Questions

2:25 p.m.

Whitby—Oshawa Ontario

Conservative

Jim Flaherty ConservativeMinister of Finance

Mr. Speaker, that will be on Thursday at four o'clock of course.

In October 2007 when we brought forward in the fall economic statement dramatic reductions in business taxes, small, medium and big businesses, a further reduction in the GST of a full percentage point and advanced personal income tax deductions, the Bloc Québécois voted against all of those measures in this place.

The EconomyOral Questions

2:25 p.m.

Bloc

Jean-Yves Laforest Bloc Saint-Maurice—Champlain, QC

Mr. Speaker, the Bloc Québécois has made public its recovery plan to deal with the crisis. It includes the creation of a modernization fund inspired by Corvée Habitation, a housing program highly successful in Quebec in the early 1980s. Such a fund would make it possible to immediately kick-start investment and boost productivity in the manufacturing sector with a view to stimulating economic recovery.

Will the Minister of Finance be adopting the idea of such a fund in his economic statement?

The EconomyOral Questions

2:25 p.m.

Whitby—Oshawa Ontario

Conservative

Jim Flaherty ConservativeMinister of Finance

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate some of the suggestions that have been put forward in the proposals brought forward by the Bloc. As I say, I hope other members in the House and other parties in the House will similarly bring forward constructive suggestions.

We will review all suggestions as we prepare budget 2009.

The EconomyOral Questions

2:25 p.m.

Bloc

Jean-Yves Laforest Bloc Saint-Maurice—Champlain, QC

Mr. Speaker, that is a good thing, because we have others as well.

In order to act without delay, as all sectors of the economy are calling upon him to do, and in order to support research and development, does the Minister of Finance intend to cancel the cuts to the technology partnerships program and open this program up to all leading edge sectors, pharmaceuticals for example?

The EconomyOral Questions

2:25 p.m.

Whitby—Oshawa Ontario

Conservative

Jim Flaherty ConservativeMinister of Finance

In fact, Mr. Speaker, our government has made record expenditures in the area of science and technology. We have a science and technology strategy. These types of spending programs will continue because they are a stimulus to the economy, just as our tax reductions are a stimulus to the economy.

We will stay on track there because we want to protect Canadians, Canadian families, individuals and businesses, through this time of serious economic downturn.

The EconomyOral Questions

2:25 p.m.

NDP

Jack Layton NDP Toronto—Danforth, ON

Mr. Speaker, what is striking to a lot of Canadians is they see governments around the world taking this economic crisis seriously and they are taking strong and bold action.

Economists of virtually all stripes are saying that dramatic action is needed right now, but our government is saying it does not intend to do anything until 2009. It is essentially asleep at the switch. Even the Obama administration, which has yet to take office, has announced that it will take dramatic and significant steps to stimulate the economy.

When will the Prime Minister and the government realize that we need action now, not months from now, to help Canadians get back to work and restore confidence in our economy?

The EconomyOral Questions

2:25 p.m.

Whitby—Oshawa Ontario

Conservative

Jim Flaherty ConservativeMinister of Finance

Mr. Speaker, I know the member opposite should be aware of what we did because he was here in the House last year and he voted against it. Now he talks about stimulus for the Canadian economy.

Where was he when we were voting on the GST reduction to leave more money in the hands of Canadian families? He was here and he voted against it. Where was he when we were reducing taxes for small businesses to stimulate the Canadian economy? He was here and he voted against it. Where was he when we were reducing personal income taxes? He was right here and he voted against it.

That is 2% stimulus, much more than the Americans have done, much more than the other G-7 countries have done so far.

The EconomyOral Questions

2:25 p.m.

NDP

Jack Layton NDP Toronto—Danforth, ON

Mr. Speaker, the problem is that the government seems to be engaged in reviewing the past, instead of looking forward to what is happening in the future.

Let me cite some examples of what is coming at us. The Conference Board of Canada today said that Canada's auto industry would lose another 15,000 jobs in 2009. What was done in the past will not do anything about that. We also learn that EI recipients are on the rise dramatically in Canada and they are not getting the help they need. Food bank use is up in our country and consumer confidence is in free-fall.

When will we see some action on—

The EconomyOral Questions

2:30 p.m.

Liberal

The Speaker Liberal Peter Milliken

The hon. Minister of Finance.

The EconomyOral Questions

2:30 p.m.

Whitby—Oshawa Ontario

Conservative

Jim Flaherty ConservativeMinister of Finance

Mr. Speaker, let me comment on and explain what we have done in terms of tax reform in the country.

The GST reduction is permanent. The income tax reductions are permanent. The business tax reductions are permanent. Some more tax reductions come into force next year in 2009. This is a permanent stimulus to the Canadian economy, not temporary like the Americans have done.

I urge the hon. member to stand up for Canada and vote in favour of some of these measures.

The EconomyOral Questions

2:30 p.m.

NDP

Jack Layton NDP Toronto—Danforth, ON

Mr. Speaker, we are facing a crisis. We are in a crisis situation right now. People cannot wait a few months for a speech and measures. They need measures right now. The crisis is hitting hard right now. The automotive industry is falling apart, while the government turns a blind eye. People are losing their jobs, but employment insurance is not there for them and their families when they need it.

Why does the Prime Minister insist on waiting until February? Where is the plan? Where is the leadership? Where are the concrete measures we need right now?

The EconomyOral Questions

2:30 p.m.

Whitby—Oshawa Ontario

Conservative

Jim Flaherty ConservativeMinister of Finance

As I say, Mr. Speaker, we acted in advance in 2006-07 with these various measures.

The member opposite should not talk down Canada. Our car sales are up in Canada. Our home business is solid. We even had one of the Canadian banks yesterday do an equity issue in Canadian markets successfully. That is how solid our system is.

I call on the hon. member to stand up for Canada and stop bad-mouthing Canada.

Forestry IndustryOral Questions

2:30 p.m.

Liberal

Hedy Fry Liberal Vancouver Centre, BC

Mr. Speaker, it was reported today that 2008 has been the worst ever year for British Columbia's forestry industry, which saw a 50% drop in sales. Forestry workers in B.C. are suffering, yet the Prime Minister says we are in a technical recession, as if it is no big deal. Well, the technically unemployed forestry workers think it is a big deal.

Where is the plan for B.C.'s forestry industry that the Conservatives promised three years ago?

Forestry IndustryOral Questions

2:30 p.m.

Halton Ontario

Conservative

Lisa Raitt ConservativeMinister of Natural Resources

Mr. Speaker, the best way to protect forestry workers is to ensure that this great Canadian industry remains competitive and has the tools it needs in order to succeed. Through the forest industry long-term competitive strategy, we are supporting innovation, we are supporting new markets, and we are creating jobs. I remain committed to working with my caucus colleagues to ensure that these programs will work for individuals in affected communities, including in British Columbia.

Forestry IndustryOral Questions

2:30 p.m.

Liberal

Hedy Fry Liberal Vancouver Centre, BC

Mr. Speaker, despite what they say, the Conservatives did nothing. Just ask a forestry worker in B.C.

In British Columbia, the pine beetle devastation has crippled the forestry industry, which accounts for 20% of the province's economic base. The Conservatives promised money for economic redevelopment in 2006, but the industry has seen a tiny fraction of that money.

When will the Conservatives finally take action to help this suffering industry and its hard hit workers?

Forestry IndustryOral Questions

2:30 p.m.

Halton Ontario

Conservative

Lisa Raitt ConservativeMinister of Natural Resources

Mr. Speaker, I know that the members opposite are well aware of the strong support that the government is giving to workers and families in forestry communities. After all, the mayor of Terrace, B.C., had the following to say about the community development trust:

We are pleased to receive these funds, and they will provide both an excellent employment opportunity and the community will benefit from the improvements provided by these projects.

We know these are difficult times for the workers and their families. We are going to get the job done.

Automotive IndustryOral Questions

November 25th, 2008 / 2:35 p.m.

Liberal

Andrew Kania Liberal Brampton West, ON

Mr. Speaker, the auto sector in Canada has been bleeding jobs ever since the Conservatives took power. Tens of thousands of jobs have been lost. Yet, we now learn that the Conservatives will not be presenting a plan to help the ailing auto sector until February.

Why are the Conservatives waiting for all of our Canadian jobs to be siphoned to the U.S. before even presenting a plan?

Automotive IndustryOral Questions

2:35 p.m.

Parry Sound—Muskoka Ontario

Conservative

Tony Clement ConservativeMinister of Industry

Mr. Speaker, nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, we acted before the current situation developed, with our auto innovation fund and with our reduction of corporate taxes, which included the auto sector. We have been there for consumer of confidence. That is what the Minister of Finance has already outlined in this House.

I find it passing strange that the hon. member's own party in the last election wanted to impose a carbon tax on people in this country. How are they going to buy cars when they have the carbon tax in the Liberal Party? That is wrong-headed thinking, but typical of the Liberal Party.

Automotive IndustryOral Questions

2:35 p.m.

Liberal

Andrew Kania Liberal Brampton West, ON

Mr. Speaker, the Conservatives had three years to help auto workers, yet the only thing they got was mismanagement and a “laissez-faire, I don't care” approach. An impact analysis has not even been done by the Conservatives. With the economic situation worsening by the day, the 600,000 Canadians working in the auto sector and their families simply cannot afford to wait any longer.

Why are the Conservatives taking workers hostage by refusing to act with real, not technical, measures to help auto workers?