Debates of April 26th, 2013

Employment

[Diane Finley, Conservative, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development]

Mr. Speaker, in fact, in the very first economic action plan we increased the amount of funds available to the Canada summer jobs program, and two years ago we made that increase permanent.

We want to help young Canadians get the experience they need for future jobs but also earn money to help them pay for post-secondary education.

This summer, some 36,000 students will benefit from the Canada summer jobs program, but in our budget 2013 we have also added funding for some several thousand internships to help students get the experience they need.

[Scott Brison, Liberal, Kings—Hants, NS]

Mr. Speaker, the minister just boasted about 36,000 summer jobs for students.

The fact is that back in 2006 that program created 113,000 summer jobs. Government support has gone down, according to the minister's own figures. Government support for summer jobs has gone down under the government. Youth employment numbers are, again, six points worse than they were five years ago.

Why are the Conservatives cutting in half the summer jobs program when the situation is so much worse? Why are the Conservatives throwing a generation of young Canadians under the bus?

[Diane Finley, Conservative, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member's numbers are totally and completely wrong.

The fact is that some 36,000 jobs will be created through the Canada summer jobs programs, but there are other programs within the government that will help young people get experience and get the funding they need for university. It is so important that we help them get both of those things for their future career success. That is why there will be an extra several thousand internships available through the career skills program.

If the Liberals are sincere in their desire to help young people, they should support the budget that has these efforts in it.

[Stéphane Dion, Liberal, Saint-Laurent—Cartierville, QC]

Mr. Speaker, we cannot support the budget because it offers less, not more, than in 2006 to support youth summer jobs.

The minister did not answer the question. The problem now is that TD Economics estimates that high youth unemployment and low salaries will cost this generation of young Canadians, now at the beginning of their careers, some $23 billion. You heard correctly, $23 billion.

With our aging population and the challenges that will bring, why are the Conservatives abandoning the Canada of tomorrow?

[Diane Finley, Conservative, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development]

Mr. Speaker, we are helping young Canadians prepare for and find jobs. In fact, the apprenticeship grants we introduced are just one example. Some 400,000 of these grants have gone to young Canadians to help them get the skills they need to work in skilled trades. This measure is very important to them and to our country.

Taxation

[Mathieu Ravignat, NDP, Pontiac, QC]

Mr. Speaker, in the Auditor General's 2006 report we learned that the government was failing to collect $18 billion in taxes.

Conservatives promised to fix the problem, but six years later they managed to actually make things worse. Now there is $29 billion in uncollected federal taxes.

Why are Conservatives clawing back danger pay for soldiers, cutting EI for seasonal workers, and raising taxes on everyday goods for Canadian families, while failing to collect $29 billion in uncollected tax debt?

[Cathy McLeod, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Revenue]

Mr. Speaker, the vast majority of Canadians pay their taxes on time.

In 2011-12, 94% paid their taxes. That was reported. The outstanding tax debt is an inventory of amounts that are known, undisputed and are under collection by Canada Revenue Agency.

We do take a balanced approach in terms of tax fairness for all Canadians, but not unnecessary hardships in terms of individuals' families. Last year, 2011-12, we collected $40 billion in unpaid taxes.

[Mathieu Ravignat, NDP, Pontiac, QC]

Mr. Speaker, we would think that after six years that number would be much higher.

The amount of outstanding tax debt under this government is huge and continues to grow. However, instead of giving CRA more authority, the Conservatives are making cuts. Over the next three years, they will cut 3,000 jobs and slash funding by $3 million, yet this is the agency that is supposed to collect taxes. It makes no sense.

When will Conservative backbenchers start to ask questions about real—

[The Speaker, Conservative, Andrew Scheer]

The hon. Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Revenue.

[Cathy McLeod, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Revenue]

Mr. Speaker, the Canada Revenue Agency is not laying off tax evasion experts. These people are key to battling tax cheats and ensuring fairness for taxpayers.

We have moved some positions to allow better coordination between Canada Revenue Agency and the RCMP. People now file their taxes electronically, so we do not need as many data managers.

We have some very important measures in economic action plan 2013 to close tax loopholes, going over toward those who would evade taxes. I call on the NDP to support economic action plan 2013.

[Guy Caron, NDP, Rimouski-Neigette—Témiscouata—Les Basques, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the Conservatives are making cuts left, right, and centre, yet they are letting $29 billion slip away without a fight.

After the NDP pointed out the error in the 2013 budget, the Conservatives got rid of their tax on hockey helmets. However, the budget is still increasing taxes by $7.8 billion.

Now that spring has sprung, Canadians will be shocked to learn that they will have to pay more to garden.

Will the government cancel these outrageous taxes and let Canadians enjoy the fine weather?

[Jim Flaherty, Conservative, Minister of Finance]

Mr. Speaker, our government has reduced taxes for Canadian families for seven years now, over eight budgets and more than 150 tax reductions. Canadian families on average are paying about $3,200 less in taxes than they were paying seven and a half years ago.

Now we have the NDP with the nerve, including here again this morning, asking for—

[The Speaker, Conservative, Andrew Scheer]

The hon. member for Welland.

[Malcolm Allen, NDP, Welland, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Finance needs to read page 332 of his own budget and he will find $333 million in additional tax increases.

Canadian families will be paying more to clean up their gardens this spring. Shovels, spades and saws are all more expensive. This tax hike comes as Canadians are grappling with record debt and a slowing economy.

Why are the Conservatives not making life more affordable for ordinary Canadians who are already having a tough time making ends meet?

[Jim Flaherty, Conservative, Minister of Finance]

Mr. Speaker, the real question is why the NDP wants to give special tax breaks to Chinese companies and is opposed to creating jobs in Canada for Canadian workers, Canadian manufacturers, especially in the Hamilton and Niagara areas the hon. member represents. This is important. Of these tariff preferences, 80% are for China and Chinese companies. We want to prefer Canadian workers.

National Defence

[Denis Blanchette, NDP, Louis-Hébert, QC]

Mr. Speaker, we still have no explanation from the Minister of National Defence about why soldiers in Mazar-e-Sharif receive less danger pay than soldiers posted in Kabul.

The minister is so determined to abdicate his responsibility for this fiasco that a press release was issued stating that the government is not to blame.

If I have understood correctly, the government is saying that a government decision is not the government's fault and it is quoting the government to prove it.

When will we get a real explanation?

[Chris Alexander, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence]

Mr. Speaker, with regard to payments for our brave troops in Mazar-e-Sharif, the minister has told his department to take action to ensure that troops deployed there are not penalized because of an administrative error.

Why is the NDP taking an interest in Afghanistan now, after it voted against the mission at every step?

[Kennedy Stewart, NDP, Burnaby—Douglas, BC]

Mr. Speaker, so to be clear, the government is not to blame for a government decision and quotes government bureaucrats to prove it. The Conservatives are so embarrassed with respect to danger pay they are forcing DND to send out a press release saying that it is not the minister's fault. However, the reality is that not only is the minister abdicating his responsibility for his department, he is still refusing to reverse this unfair decision on danger pay.

When will the minister agree to reverse this decision and provide danger pay to all troops in Afghanistan?

[Chris Alexander, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence]

Mr. Speaker, as the member should know, each mission's hardship and risk levels are set and reviewed at least every six months by an arm's-length committee composed of officials from the Canadian Armed Forces, with representation from the RCMP and the Treasury Board. He knows that the government is publicly asked that hardship and risk rates for deployed personnel be reviewed. The statement of the Chief of the Defence Staff is available in both official languages. I am happy to table it. It is on the website as well.

However, it is curious that the NDP only raises the question of Afghanistan at times when our officials have made a decision and it does not like it, and we do not like it either, after having voted against—

[The Speaker, Conservative, Andrew Scheer]

The hon. member for Hamilton Mountain.

Employment Insurance

[Chris Charlton, NDP, Hamilton Mountain, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the Conservatives substantially reduced EI without ever considering the impact. Even the premier of New Brunswick, a Conservative, is calling for a moratorium on these changes until a full impact study is done. This weekend, thousands of workers will be protesting across the country against these damaging changes to EI.

Will the minister listen to the provinces, listen to workers, listen to industry and reverse these cruel and ill-conceived cuts to EI?

[Diane Finley, Conservative, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development]

Mr. Speaker, in the past, parts of the EI system actually discouraged people from working. That was not acceptable. It was not fair that individuals be punished for not working. Therefore, we have made changes that will ensure that whenever people work, they would be better off working than not. We also went further to help connect Canadians with the jobs available in their skill range, in their geographic area, by letting them know about the jobs that were there. If there are no appropriate jobs available for people, then EI will continue to be there for them as it always has been.

[Philip Toone, NDP, Gaspésie—Îles-de-la-Madeleine, QC]

Mr. Speaker, instead of trying to convince herself that her reform is good, the minister should listen to the workers' heartfelt pleas.

People in the Atlantic provinces are not the only ones angry with the minister. In Quebec, cities and regions have had enough of the reform. Business people, mayors and workers are all fed up with the Conservatives' attacks.

Tomorrow, there will be a massive demonstration against the reform in Montreal. She should take this opportunity to finally conduct an impact study and consult people.

Will she listen to their demands?

[Diane Finley, Conservative, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development]

Mr. Speaker, we believe that the best way to help people is to help them find a job. That is what the EI reform will do.

We want to connect Canadians with available jobs in their field and in their region. They are better off when they are working. If there are no positions available in their region, employment insurance will continue to be there to be there for them.

[Philip Toone, NDP, Gaspésie—Îles-de-la-Madeleine, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I do not think the minister understands the repercussions of her own reform. It is more than just a few people who are opposed to this ill-advised and devastating reform. Tomorrow, all of Quebec will descend on Montreal, from seasonal workers from my riding to business people from the city.

Propaganda letters from her department will not change the facts. Quebeckers know that she is dismantling the EI program and that she is targeting the lifestyle of many people. They say no to the reform.

Will she listen to them tomorrow or will she ignore our economic reality?