House of Commons Hansard #47 of the 41st Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was budget.

Topics

Financial Statement of Minister of FinanceThe BudgetGovernment Orders

5:15 p.m.

Conservative

Harold Albrecht Conservative Kitchener—Conestoga, ON

Mr. Speaker, I indicated in an earlier answer to one of my colleagues that I have not had time to read the entire 400 pages of this book, so I cannot speak with authority on that particular program.

However, I can say that our finance minister, the Minister of State for Finance, and the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance extended their consultations across this country in a great way to get input from all sectors. I do know that the average Canadian family today is $3,400 better off than when we came to office, and I know that every single resident of Quebec will benefit from that.

Financial Statement of Minister of FinanceThe BudgetGovernment Orders

5:15 p.m.

Liberal

Judy Sgro Liberal York West, ON

Mr. Speaker, knowing the hon. member as well as I do, being a member from Ontario, there was nothing in the budget when it came to helping the cities that are currently struggling with infrastructure needs. One of the specific issues is the damage from the ice storm, and I suspect there was a fair amount of damage sustained in southern Ontario. I certainly know that Toronto, Richmond Hill, and Thornhill suffered a tremendous amount of damage as a result of the ice storm. There is no reference to helping Toronto and southern Ontario with that issue at all in this budget. There is very little, other than bridges and small harbours, when it comes to infrastructure.

The second issue is the continued talk about a surplus, which is going to be made up of inflated EI premiums, which would make up $5.2 million of the so-called surplus. Is he not concerned that all of what is being talked about is phony money that may never materialize, that it would be great if that promise is kept, but it is based on phony money and phony surpluses?

Financial Statement of Minister of FinanceThe BudgetGovernment Orders

5:15 p.m.

Conservative

Harold Albrecht Conservative Kitchener—Conestoga, ON

Mr. Speaker, to respond on the issue of the ice storm, our hearts go out to every Canadian who suffered through that, many without heat or electricity for hours and hours or, in some cases, days. I know in my community there were many who did suffer.

There is no government in history that has given more support to the municipalities than this government. The Federation of Canadian Municipalities has applauded our budget, and the primary reason the Federation of Canadian Municipalities is supportive of our government's action is the gas tax funding and GST funding it gets is a predictable, long-term investment that it can count on from year to year. We have doubled it, we have legislated it, and now we have indexed it for inflation. Therefore, our municipalities are in better shape in their ability to forecast projects they want to carry out in the upcoming construction year.

Financial Statement of Minister of FinanceThe BudgetGovernment Orders

5:20 p.m.

NDP

Laurin Liu NDP Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, QC

Mr. Speaker, the member opposite just admitted that he did not read the entire budget, so I will ask him a question on one part that he appears to have read, namely the part on science and technology.

The member talked a lot about this government's investments in science and technology, but what the budget fails to mention is that the government plans to slash $2.6 billion in funding for science within all departments between 2013 and 2016.

Furthermore, in this budget, the government is investing in science geared towards industry, but there is absolutely no investment in science for the common good, for instance, for the environment or for Canadians' health.

Why does this government completely disrespect its own scientists?

Financial Statement of Minister of FinanceThe BudgetGovernment Orders

5:20 p.m.

Conservative

Harold Albrecht Conservative Kitchener—Conestoga, ON

Mr. Speaker, our government certainly has invested a lot in environmental protection and in research that actually benefits Canadians.

For example, when I go to Conestoga College in my riding, employers come to talk to me. They tell me that because they can partner with Conestoga College in finding solutions to real problems that their industries have been facing for years is a big bonus to them in getting products to market and improving the quality of life for all Canadians.

Financial Statement of Minister of FinanceThe BudgetGovernment Orders

5:20 p.m.

NDP

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

Mr. Speaker, if indeed I have eight minutes before I am interrupted, I will talk about the current economic situation, with a view to putting yesterday's budget into context.

To hear the Conservatives crow about the budget and the current situation, you would think that the recession is a thing of the past, that Canadians are working again and that the current situation is as good as it was before the recession. However, that is not the case.

In May 2008, before the recession hit the country, the unemployment rate in Canada was 6.1% while the labour force rate was 68%. Those figures are much more positive than today's. According to the most recent data available, the unemployment rate in January was 7.0%, almost 1% higher than it was before the recession. The labour force was down, at 66.8%.

That means that far fewer people are in the labour market. This is a major problem. Specifically, we are talking about 1.4 million unemployed Canadians, or 300,000 more than before the recession. No, the government should not be acting as if the recession were over and as if a balanced budget must be achieved in 2015 at all costs.

We will say it over and over again: achieving a balanced budget is important, but it must be done according to the economic cycle. The economic data clearly show that we have not come to the end of an economic cycle. The government should still be taking steps to stimulate job creation and economic growth.

In this budget, which the Conservatives themselves have called a “do nothing budget”, there are absolutely no measures along those lines. In upcoming speeches, we will hear them talk about measures that come out of this budget of almost 500 pages, so that they can feel better about themselves.

However, when you draft a budget, you have to make choices. The fiscal situation in Canada is important and the Conservatives' drive to achieve a balanced budget in 2015 is clearly a vote-getting goal. The Conservatives themselves are not even trying to hide that anymore. That poses serious problems for job creation and economic growth.

The Conservatives boast that Canada is leading the G7 in terms of job creation and economic growth. I have a little bit of news for them: Canada now ranks third among G7 countries and is continuing to slide below the other countries.

Within the OECD, that is, among industrialized nations, Canada is in the middle of the pack. Over a year and a half ago, the OECD predicted that Canada's slide would continue, so no, Canada is not really in such a great position and is still feeling the effects of the recession.

Drafting a budget means making choices. The Conservatives do not really understand the true cost of their cuts, of what many people call their austerity measures. Even though things are not as bad as they are in Europe, this is still austerity because the government is cutting its investments.

This is the fourth round of austerity measures, the fourth budget before the government starts handing out goodies for the election next year in an attempt to bribe Canadians.

Clearly, there is a price to pay for achieving an artificially balanced budget at all costs in 2015 rather than 2016 or 2017. According to the Parliamentary Budget Officer, because of all the cuts, the Conservative government's past four austerity budgets have undermined our economic growth potential.

Current economic growth, as represented by our GDP, is 1.6% lower than it would have been without the cuts. That means tens of billions of dollars in lost earnings for our economy. I know that the government does not hold the Office of the Parliamentary Budget Officer in high regard.

Perhaps they would be more inclined to believe the International Monetary Fund which, in its January report, indicated that federal government cuts will dampen economic growth by at least 10% to 15%. I will repeat this for the government: Canadian economic growth would be 10% to 15% higher without these cuts and austerity measures.

I was very surprised, taken aback in fact, by what the Minister of Finance said when presenting his budget yesterday. It is worthwhile quoting him:

...our government remains committed to balancing the budget in 2015, but I must be clear. We did not do this on the backs of ordinary Canadians or Canadians in need....

I was elected in 2011 and, since then, I have been fighting against the Conservatives' cuts, which have a real impact on the everyday lives of the people in my riding in eastern Quebec. Whether we are talking about employment insurance, VIA Rail, Canada Post, Service Canada, veterans, science and technology or food inspection, to name just a few on a potentially long list, the Conservative government has made cuts to essential services. It claims to be cutting the fat when it is now cutting to the bone.

Front-line services for Canadians and Quebeckers have decreased because of the Conservatives' measures. That has an impact on economic growth and job creation, which they have not been able to sustain and which no longer seem to be priorities in this budget.

I know that my time is up. I will come back tomorrow to continue my speech, and I will talk about the measures in this budget, which, instead of promoting economic growth, will further hinder this growth.

Financial Statement of Minister of FinanceThe BudgetGovernment Orders

5:25 p.m.

NDP

The Deputy Speaker NDP Joe Comartin

The hon. member will have 13 minutes to finish his speech.

Northwest Territories Devolution ActGovernment Orders

5:25 p.m.

NDP

The Deputy Speaker NDP Joe Comartin

It being 5:30 p.m., pursuant to order made earlier today, the House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded division on the motions at report stage of Bill C-15.

Call in the members.

(The House divided on the motion, which was negatived on the following division:)

Vote #58

Northwest Territories Devolution ActGovernment Orders

6:10 p.m.

Conservative

The Speaker Conservative Andrew Scheer

I declare Motion No. 4 defeated. I also declare Motion No. 5 defeated.

The next question is on the main motion.

(The House divided on the motion which was agreed to on the following division:)

Vote #59

Northwest Territories Devolution ActGovernment Orders

6:20 p.m.

Conservative

The Speaker Conservative Andrew Scheer

I declare the motion carried. When shall the bill be read a third time? At the next sitting of the House?

Northwest Territories Devolution ActGovernment Orders

6:20 p.m.

Some hon. members

Agreed.

The House resumed from February 5 consideration of the motion.

Persons with DisabilitiesPrivate Members' Business

6:20 p.m.

Conservative

The Speaker Conservative Andrew Scheer

The House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded division of Motion No. 430, under private members' business.

(The House divided on the motion which was agreed to on the following division:)

Vote #60

Persons with DisabilitiesPrivate Members' Business

6:25 p.m.

Conservative

The Speaker Conservative Andrew Scheer

I declare the motion carried.

The House resumed from February 6 consideration of the motion that Bill C-523, An Act to amend the Department of Health Act (disclosure of drug shortages), be read the second time and referred to a committee.

Mandatory Disclosure of Drug Shortages ActPrivate Members' Business

6:25 p.m.

Conservative

The Speaker Conservative Andrew Scheer

The House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded division on the motion at second reading stage of Bill C-523 under private members' business.

(The House divided on the motion, which was negatived on the following division:)

Vote #61

Mandatory Disclosure of Drug Shortages ActPrivate Members' Business

6:35 p.m.

Conservative

The Speaker Conservative Andrew Scheer

I declare the motion defeated.

The House resumed from February 10 consideration of the motion that Bill C-520, An Act supporting non-partisan agents of Parliament, be now read a second time and referred to a committee.

Supporting Non-Partisan Agents of Parliament ActPrivate Members' Business

6:35 p.m.

Conservative

The Speaker Conservative Andrew Scheer

The House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded division on the motion at second reading of Bill C-520, under private members' business.

(The House divided on the motion, which was agreed to on the following division:)

Vote #62