It scares business away.
Lost his last election, in 2008, with 29% of the vote.
Programs For Young People October 8th, 1998
It scares business away.
Family Savings And Credit Union October 8th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, the Family Savings and Credit Union is kicking off its 50th anniversary celebrations. It was on October 20, 1949 that this financial institution was incorporated by a small number of pioneers who joined together to own and control a financial business to serve their needs.
Today the credit union boasts 22,000 members and six branches across Niagara. It is the seventh largest credit union in Ontario and offers financial planning and many other financial services.
Over the years the Family Savings and Credit Union has been honoured with several prestigious awards. It is one of only two credit unions to be given the National Community Economic Development Award. It has also received an international marketing award from the Credit Union Executives Society.
I take this opportunity to congratulate the Family Savings and Credit Union on 50 years of success and for serving the people of St. Catharines and Niagara.
Petitions October 7th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, I wish to table petitions from my constituents in the St. Catharines and Niagara area.
The petitioners say they are alarmed and deeply disturbed by the further victimization of the families of Kristen French and Leslie Mahaffy by reason of the use of the Bernardo video tapes.
The undersigned citizens of Canada petition the Parliament of Canada to amend section 486(1) of the Criminal Code by enacting a specific exemption to the rule by excluding evidence of child and coerced pornography.
Committees Of The House October 7th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 109 I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the government's response to the 10th report of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Public Account, chapter 29 of the December 1997 report of the Auditor General of Canada, Industry Canada, management of the small business loans program.
Canada Small Business Financing Act October 2nd, 1998
Madam Speaker, I appreciate the words of my colleague from Lévis. He and I have had many discussions on small and large businesses. Sometimes we agree and sometimes we disagree, but at least we have a good debate and try to put our best efforts forward.
When the member brings his amendments to the industry committee I hope they are to improve the bill and not marginalize it. I welcome that. I welcome his debate.
The member has been on the industry committee for a long time now. I have forgotten how many years, because we have both been there for a number of years. When we put forward Bill C-21, the extension for one year of the SBLA, in the springtime the commitment was made by the minister and the department to make sure that the new bill would be tabled as early as possible.
The objective of the industry committee was to hear from as many witnesses as possible. The stakeholders of the bill would be present to make their efforts known to the committee. The objective was to have a good industry committee discussion on the bill and on amendments that could be brought forward from the stakeholders to make sure that when the bill came back to the House it would be a bill that we would all be pleased with, not one that we would delay and then have a crunch later on.
Could the member who has been a member of the industry committee for a long time expand on that.
Canada Customs And Revenue Agency Act October 1st, 1998
Madam Speaker, I understand where the member is coming from.
I would remind this House that provincial ministers of finance were a part of the consultation process. Many provinces have provided input. The member opposite will be able to provide input. There is always room to make improvements. That is why we are here debating the bill. We are here to look at the legislation as well as other things. It is not a one way street. One cannot just sit over there and oppose everything. One has to be constructive from time to time. That is what committees are for.
This legislation will come back to the House and hon. members will again have the chance to debate it and make it even better than it is. I hope there is more constructive criticism from members opposite.
Canada Customs And Revenue Agency Act October 1st, 1998
Madam Speaker, I can understand where the member is coming from with respect to the various reports that were compiled during the consultation periods. That is one of the reasons this government has taken excessive consultation time to meet and review with people and to hear what people are saying about the reports. When we have a chance to present legislation we take all of these items into account.
I want to remind the member opposite that a number of people, whether they are chartered accountants or people involved in tax areas, have said over and over that this type of legislative framework will provide more efficiencies and stronger management.
The Canadian Federation of Independent Business said: “If we combine all these functions under one umbrella, the business community would breathe a big sigh of relief”.
When the time comes and this bill is in committee, the stakeholders will again have a chance to understand exactly what is in the legislation, what is intended, and their viewpoints will be heard again.
Canada Customs And Revenue Agency Act October 1st, 1998
Mr. Speaker, there are many reasons for moving to a departmental agency, none more important than the demands of our clients, the constituents of our country.
Streamlined and more responsive tax, customs and trade administration services will provide more effectiveness with this new agency. Few Canadians appreciate that in a time of economic expansion the demand for tax, customs and trade services also increases. A million new jobs in Canada since 1993 mean many more tax filers and hopefully more in the future. An 8.6% increase in real exports in 1997 coupled with a 13.4% increase in real imports means a substantial increase in the demand for trade administration and customs and border services.
Resources at Revenue Canada have remained relatively stable during this period of economic expansion and steep increases in business volumes. Much of the new demand has been accommodated by internal operating efficiencies. But as everybody knows, everything has a limit. Hence the new framework for this agency.
The agency model we are proposing for the Canada customs and revenue agency is unique since it combines the strengths of both the public and private sectors while remaining fully accountable to parliament and the Canadian people.
Bill C-43 will permit the agency to offer new and better services to the provinces and territories. For example, at the present time Revenue Canada can only collect provincial taxes that are harmonized with federal taxes. The new agency would be able to collect non-harmonized taxes. This would expand the potential for single window tax collection with considerable savings for businesses and individual Canadians. Greater co-ordination between the federal, provincial and territorial governments will simplify tax administration for Canadians and reduce the overlap and duplication.
To ensure the various needs of Canadians are given full consideration, a board of management of the agency will direct its management activities and oversee its business planning. The board will include 10 directors nominated by the provinces and one director nominated by the territories, all from the private sector.
Another major change that would allow the new agency to adopt a more client oriented approach is increased operational flexibility in the management of internal resources. The new legislation will allow the proposed agency to tailor its human resources and administrative functions to meet the changing needs of the client as well as those of its employees.
For example, under the current status as a department, Treasury Board negotiates collective agreements and determines classifications for personnel. The Public Service Commission is responsible for the staffing process. Under departmental agency status, the Canada customs and revenue agency will assume responsibility for these critical functions.
This change will offer the agency more flexibility in attracting certain in demand skills such as auditors and computer systems experts, training, retraining and keeping these experts. It will significantly reduce hiring times and allow the agency to match resources to work demands whether created by policy or by program changes, seasonal factors or general economic conditions. All of this means improved service to the provinces and territories, to businesses and to individual Canadians. An improved service means savings in time and money, savings in compliance costs for businesses and savings in administrative costs for the government itself.
In creating the Canada customs and revenue agency, we are encouraged by the experience of many other countries such as the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Australia. Organizations that have been given greater managerial autonomy and operational flexibility provide improved service to the public even while retaining accountability to the public and its elected representatives.
We live in a world that is competitive at many levels. We live in a world that is changing. Businesses and individuals need their governments to support their activities rather than to set up roadblocks. The Canada customs and revenue agency is an important step in the process of providing the best tax, customs and trade administration services in the world. This will mean more business and more benefits for all Canadians and looking to the future, to make it even better.
Seniors October 1st, 1998
Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to inform the House and all Canadians that today, October 1, 1998, is international day of older persons. This day also heralds the coming year, 1999, as the international year of older persons.
The theme for this celebration is Canada, a society for all ages. Our goal is to use this special year to enhance understanding, harmony and mutual support across the generations.
We must also take this opportunity to increase the recognition of seniors' contributions to society. I know firsthand what a vital, energetic role seniors play in our communities. They are front and centre in local volunteer work, always reaching out to help others and they are the foundation of our families and the wisdom and knowledge of our time.
Please join me in recognizing this special day and participating wholeheartedly in the national celebrations during 1999, the international year of older persons.
Québec-Téléphone September 30th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, telecommunications policy supports a competitive marketplace for all Canadian telecommunications.
We want to make a fair and level playing field for all competitors including those from the province of Quebec and all other provinces and territories across Canada. We will continue to do so.