House of Commons Hansard #41 of the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was jobs.
Diane Lebouthillier LiberalMinister of National Revenue
Mr. Speaker, the CRA has worked with Canada before. The CRA will continue to work with all stakeholders, including CPA Canada. The CRA meets with its partners to promote its activities and interests and compliance with tax law.
The public servants who were in charge of the KPMG file and made recommendations on it did not attend the receptions hosted by CPA Canada in 2014 and 2015.
Hélène Laverdière NDP Laurier—Sainte-Marie, QC
Mr. Speaker, Canada's ambassador recently laid out the government's priorities in Saudi Arabia: oil and gas, agriculture, health care, mining, etc., but no mention of human rights.
Writers whipped, opposition members executed, women made second-class citizens, and 20% of the government's own human rights assessment is being blacked out.
Why is the government making oil, gas, and arms sales its priorities while looking the other way when it comes to human rights abuses?
Foreign AffairsOral Questions
West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country B.C.
Liberal
Pam Goldsmith-Jones LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs
Mr. Speaker, our government is committed to advancing human rights everywhere, including in Saudi Arabia. We do not miss an opportunity to raise this with our Saudi counterparts, nor do we miss opportunities for positive engagement.
Canada has a strategic partnership with Saudi Arabia. We maintain an ongoing dialogue with Saudi Arabia on a number of issues, including human rights, and the critical role the kingdom is playing in efforts to tackle ISIL in the front lines.
Hélène Laverdière NDP Laurier—Sainte-Marie, QC
Mr. Speaker, when it comes to the Saudi arms deal, the government has been giving Canadians the runaround for weeks. Now we are starting to see why. Canada's ambassador to Saudi Arabia laid out his priorities, but he forgot one: human rights. He left them out entirely.
Why is the government bent on being so friendly with such an authoritarian regime?
Foreign AffairsOral Questions
West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country B.C.
Liberal
Pam Goldsmith-Jones LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs
Mr. Speaker, let us be clear. This contract was signed under the previous government. During the election, the Conservatives, the Liberals, and the NDP committed to honouring the contract. In fact, the leader of the NDP said, “You don't cancel a commercial accord retroactively; it's just not done”.
Our Prime Minister has made it very clear that we will not weaken Canada's credibility by tearing up this contract.
The release of the report on Friday was the first of many steps we will be taking to provide greater transparency on human rights assessments.
Pierre Poilievre Conservative Carleton, ON
Mr. Speaker, to quote the government, “Budget 2016 proposes that further reductions in the small business income tax rate be deferred”, but wait. The small business minister said this month, “I wouldn't say that it's been deferred”.
If it was not deferred, then it is either (a) going ahead on schedule or (b) cancelled altogether. Which is it?
Bardish Chagger LiberalMinister of Small Business and Tourism
Mr. Speaker, small business owners want and need a robust economy to succeed. We are making investments to support that growth. Small business owners need strong consumers. There is the middle-class income tax cut, the Canada child benefit, investments in infrastructure, incubators, and accelerators, and the list goes on. All of it, absolutely all of it, supports small and medium-size businesses, their consumers, the middle-class Canadians who own them, and the people who work hard for small business.
Pierre Poilievre Conservative Carleton, ON
She did not answer the question, Mr. Speaker.
As early as this Wednesday, the government will introduce legislation which would amend the Income Tax Act to raise the small business tax rate by half a point, a point, and a point and a half over the next three respective years. I wonder if the member would rise today and confirm that she and her government are abandoning plans to raise taxes on small businesses and that she will agree with the Conservative plan to keep taxes low for our job creators.
Bill Morneau LiberalMinister of Finance
Mr. Speaker, I would like to be very clear. We put forward a budget that helps small business. We put forward a budget that maintains the small business tax rate. No taxes are being increased.
We put forward a budget that will help consumers in Canada, the very people who buy goods and services from small and medium-size business. We are going to grow this economy. It is going to help small business. It is going to help Canadians across this country to have better lives.
Alice Wong Conservative Richmond Centre, BC
Mr. Speaker, last week the Minister of Small Business and Tourism told us to look at the budget with regard to small businesses, so let us do that.
The fact is the Liberals dismissed recommendations from the finance committee and ignored recommendations from small business owners. The minister claims to be working with stakeholders, but recent history shows there is no sense in trusting what Liberals say.
When will the minister stop hiding behind empty promises and stand up for small business owners?
Bardish Chagger LiberalMinister of Small Business and Tourism
Mr. Speaker, I have been working closely with small business owners and stakeholders across this nation. Since being put in this post, I have met with almost 250 stakeholders, small business owners, and the people who work hard for them. Our budget actually supports small businesses.
We are listening to Canadians. We are listening to small business owners. That is what we will continue to do.
Alice Wong Conservative Richmond Centre, BC
Mr. Speaker, the minister's mandate letter tells her what her priorities are. One of them is, “Work with the Minister of Finance as the small business tax rate reduction is implemented”.
Could the Minister of Small Business and Tourism explain why the finance minister ignored her and instead raised taxes on small businesses?
Bardish Chagger LiberalMinister of Small Business and Tourism
Mr. Speaker, this government is taking a whole-of-government approach. We work very closely with each other. Part of working together is listening to each other and engaging in difficult conversations.
I work closely with the Minister of Finance. We have consultations and discussions every day. We are not just listening to each other, we are listening to Canadians and small business owners, because we need to ensure that they have the robust economy that they need, and that is what we will do.
Joël Godin Conservative Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC
Mr. Speaker, the government is abandoning SMEs in Canada. It promised them it would reduce their tax rate from 11% to 9%. That is just another broken promise.
A high tax rate, increased payroll taxes, and a national carbon tax: there is nothing in this budget to help SMEs create jobs and be more competitive.
Why is the government beating up on businesses that create jobs and wealth?
Bardish Chagger LiberalMinister of Small Business and Tourism
Mr. Speaker, we actually reduced taxes. In January, the tax rate went down from 11% to 10.5% for small business owners. Furthermore, we will be reducing EI premiums for small business owners. We are giving small business owners the support they need. We are growing strong consumers. Our middle-class tax cut, the Canada child benefit, all of these things will support customers and small business owners.
We will continue to do the good work that we are doing.
Joël Godin Conservative Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC
Mr. Speaker, the government should respect Canadian families and not take them for fools.
The Liberals want us to believe that this budget is good for families, but that is false. Their tax burden will increase by almost $4 billion over the next two years. After the cancellation of the children's fitness and arts tax credits, families have the right to know how much this will cost them.
Will the government be forthcoming and tell families that it will be placing the burden of its astronomical deficit on their shoulders?
Bill Morneau LiberalMinister of Finance
Mr. Speaker, we started by cutting taxes for the middle class. Nine million Canadians now have more money in their pockets as a result of this tax cut.
Furthermore, the Canada child benefit will give nine out of 10 families with children more money this year, an average of $2,300 more.
This is a budget for the middle class and people who want to be part of the middle class. It is going to grow our economy in the future.
Georgina Jolibois NDP Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River, SK
Mr. Speaker, a legal misstep has allowed the Catholic Church to avoid paying millions of dollars to victims of residential school abuse.
No funding could ever really compensate for the suffering of defenceless children at the hands of those who are supposed to care for them. However, to discover that legal miscommunication has let those responsible off the financial hook is shocking and unacceptable.
Will the government step in and demand full payment for the victims of this tragedy?
Yvonne Jones LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs
Mr. Speaker, we are committed to achieving reconciliation for all those who are tragically impacted. It seems that the previous government did create an unfortunate misjustice that has allowed it to not own up to the implications.
We pledge to the people, despite the actions of the former government, that we will continue to encourage them, and all parties, to reach a settlement and a reconciliation that is appropriate.
Brigitte Sansoucy NDP Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot, QC
Mr. Speaker, what we learned today about residential schools and the Catholic church is quite frankly shocking.
The government inadvertently allowed the church to renege on its legal obligation to try to raise $25 million for programs to help residential school victims.
The journey toward healing from this shameful national tragedy is long and painful. Letting the Catholic church sidestep its obligations, even inadvertently, is a betrayal of the goal of healing.
How can the government justify this outrageous situation?
Yvonne Jones LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs
Mr. Speaker, we far from justify. In fact, we too are very concerned about what has happened here.
We will continue to work with those involved, including the Catholic Church, to try to achieve the full reconciliation that is owed to those who are tragically impacted. Unfortunately, we have no control over the correspondence that has allowed it to be off the hook, which was originally sent by the former administration.
Blaine Calkins Conservative Red Deer—Lacombe, AB
Mr. Speaker, the Minister of International Trade was in Manila on November 19.
She had her seat reserved on the government Challenger to make her way back home, but instead she booked herself through LA and charged the taxpayers nearly $20,000 for a trip to Hollywood. The reason: a vanity interview. While the interview with Bill Maher was painful to watch, it turns out it was just as painful for Canadian taxpayers.
Why have Canadian taxpayers been stuck with the bill for her California dream?
David Lametti LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Trade
Mr. Speaker, we are proud of the work that our minister has done advancing Canadian interests around the world.
All expenses, on all of her trips, are transparent and done according to all the various ethical guidelines that are imposed on her.
Blaine Calkins Conservative Red Deer—Lacombe, AB
Mr. Speaker, cabinet ministers can do what they want with their personal vanity projects, but Canadians should not have to pay for them: first-class tickets from Manila; and two days in Los Angeles, with her staff in tow. Why are Canadian taxpayers footing the bill for a first-class trip to Hollywood, just so the minister can be on an American talk show?
David Lametti LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Trade
Mr. Speaker, it bears repeating that all of the minister's travel is done according to guidelines that are set. She follows all the rules.
We will continue to be transparent in this regard.