House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2006, with 55% of the vote.
Banking October 29th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, we had in place a very open process for reviewing the whole question of mergers. We responded in the MacKay task force in making those measures open and patent.
If the member does not like them, I expect him to come forward and talk about it. However, let us be clear that this is the first time that party has come out in favour of those bank mergers, ones which were rejected by the Competition Bureau.
Banking October 29th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, I take it, in referring to the bad decision, the hon. member supported those bank mergers. If that is the case, I want him to stand up and say so because he owes it to the whole House.
Let me tell the member what we have done. We have studied the issue. We have had hearings in our caucus, in the finance committee of the House and the Senate and the minister responded to the MacKay task force last June.
Closures which would impact on communities must be made with due notice so that the people can take steps to find alternative measures. We have also brought in measures, in response to this, which make it possible for the industry, which is a leader in Canada by any type—
Employment Insurance October 29th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, over the past couple of decades the EI fund has gone into deficit 10 times, for a cumulative deficit of $14 billion. Guess who paid for this deficit? All Canadian taxpayers did. Look at who is benefiting today from the surplus we see there. It is all Canadian taxpayers.
We eliminated the $42 billion deficit. We gave $16.5 billion in tax cuts, $11.5 billion extra for health care, and $10 billion extra for innovation, research and development. This is the balanced approach we have adopted.
Nisga'A Final Agreement Act October 27th, 1999
Will the hon. member tell us what the Nisga'a people say about the Nisga'a treaty?
Nisga'A Final Agreement Act October 27th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. I could not commend you more for your judicious ruling. It is so critical to us as members of parliament that we have the opportunity to discuss with our colleagues, not only on this side of the House but on the opposite side of the House, the important affairs of state which have been entrusted to us by the people of Canada. This is why your ruling is so important.
Taxation October 25th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, we are the government that has taken 600,000 low income Canadians off the tax rolls. We are the government that has extended the child tax benefit by $2 billion, up to a total of $7 billion.
The Reform Party's program calls for $52 billion in cuts. How do Reformers get this figures? Is it because there are 52 weeks in a year? Is it because there are 52 cards in a deck or did they just pull it out of thin air? That is what is criminal about that party.
Tobacco October 25th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, ever since we brought in our national strategy against smuggling in 1994, we have been very strongly in favour of increasing the taxes on tobacco products. As a matter of fact, we have done this three times already.
We are currently in negotiations with our four partner provinces to bring these taxes even higher. We will raise those taxes just as high as the circumstances relating to smuggling will permit.
Taxation October 25th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, I think we better look at what Reform is really asking for. Its budget plans have called for $52 billion in tax cuts and debt relief in its third year.
Last session, we asked the Reform Party time and time again what it was going to cut to pay for it. I would like to suggest that maybe in this session of parliament it will come clean with Canadians and tell us what it is going to cut. Is it going to be health care? Is it going to be equalization payments? Is it going to be education? Is it going to be aid to western farmers?
Taxation October 25th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, in the first budget we cut taxes for Canadians with disabilities. We cut taxes for the voluntary sector. We cut taxes for families with children. In the last two budgets we cut $16.5 billion in personal income taxes. This year Canadians are paying $5.25 billion less in EI premiums.
Taxation October 25th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, I know the finance minister is very much looking forward to a meeting with his counterparts from each of the provinces. He sent them an invitation over a month ago.
I and members on this side would put on the line our record in terms of proper fiscal management, having brought our nation's finances into order. At the same time as we have cut taxes in each and every budget, we have made strategic investments in the things that are going to make us strong in the 21st century.