Mr. Speaker, my question is on tax fairness and equity in the system.
There is something missing in the bill, and would be some method of determining the inflation rate within the north for the northern residents tax deduction.
In 2007, after constant lobbying on my part and on the part of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and the territorial governments, which were asking for a 50% increase in this northern residents tax deduction that had not been changed since 1989, the government gave us 10%.
Over the last six years, that 10% has been taken up by inflation. We are back to square one. We have not had the increases that would make the system fairer.
Why did the Conservative government not put something into this legislation that would identify an inflation increase to the northern residents tax deduction, something that is absolutely required in the north? We are losing workers. The cost of living has gone up so high in the north that people are not staying there anymore. They are flying in and out to their jobs. What has happened in northern Canada in terms of the cost of living is a disgrace.
Why did the Conservative government ignore the important requirements of tax equity and fairness for northern people?