Debates of March 4th, 2010

Financial Statement of Minister of Finance

[Jim Flaherty, Conservative, Whitby—Oshawa, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the budget speech does not repeat everything that was said in the Speech from the Throne and vice versa. The commitment with respect to exploring those options remains. They were expressed in the Speech from the Throne yesterday.

However, it takes some nerve for the member opposite to say that nothing is being done for the unemployed. More than $4 billion in the economic action plan in the coming year is being spent to extend benefits for people, to extend work-sharing for those 225,000 Canadians who already access the increased work-sharing program. Surely that should mean something to the member for Outremont.

[Bob Dechert, Conservative, Mississauga—Erindale, ON]

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of all members, let me applaud the Minister of Finance for tabling his fifth consecutive budget in a minority Parliament.

One of the engines of Canada's economy, especially in my riding, is manufacturing. From automotive to aerospace, millions of Canadians' jobs depend directly and indirectly on it. Our Conservative government has taken key steps to help manufacturers grow and stay competitive. In budget 2010 we build on that track record by making Canada a tariff free zone for manufacturing inputs.

Could the Minister of Finance please inform the House how job creating businesses in my riding of Mississauga—Erindale and, indeed, throughout Canada will benefit from this great announcement?

[Jim Flaherty, Conservative, Whitby—Oshawa, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the question by the member for Mississauga—Erindale is clearly the best question yet this afternoon. No doubt he is certainly the finest member of Parliament that Mississauga--Erindale has ever had.

Canadian manufacturers have been through a difficult time. It is important that we support them as much as we can in Mississauga and in other important manufacturing areas in Canada, even Brampton. We are doing that, particularly in this budget, through creating the first tariff-free zone in the G20. This measure alone will create another 12,000 new jobs in Canada.

[Siobhan Coady, Liberal, St. John's South—Mount Pearl, NL]

Mr. Speaker, the minister has said repeatedly today that we are at a crossroads, but he is wrong. The truth is Canada arrived at a crossroads four years ago and the Conservative government chose a path of recklessness. Today, we arrive at the result of its decision.

There is nothing to help seniors worried about their retirement, nothing for pensions, nothing to help young Canadians save for school, nothing for health care or to help new immigrants find jobs. What we have instead are a few small gimmicks and spoonfuls of symbolism, a piddly $1 million to build monuments all across the country. The government is going to clean up the Great Lakes with $16 million.

There are so many challenges that we face such as an aging population, declining standards of living, high unemployment, climate change, yet the finance minister has said that none of them are important.

Could the minister tell the House if his own caucus is even satisfied with this budget?

[Jim Flaherty, Conservative, Whitby—Oshawa, ON]

Absolutely, Mr. Speaker.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Peter Milliken]

We have completed the time for questions and comments.

The hon. Leader of the Opposition.

[Michael Ignatieff, Liberal, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, I move:

That the debate be now adjourned.

(Motion agreed to)

[The Speaker, Liberal, Peter Milliken]

Pursuant to Standing Order 83(2), the motion to adjourn the House is now deemed to have been adopted. Accordingly, this House stands adjourned until tomorrow at 10 a.m.

(The House adjourned at 4:51 p.m.)