Jim Peterson

[The Budget, March 1st, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, there is no action taken by government which has a more profound and deep impact on the lives of individual Canadians than a budget. That is why governments throughout history have felt it incumbent upon them in a democratic process to make sure that Canadians understand the very precise implications of every budget.

[Taxation, March 1st, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, as I was attempting to answer in the last question on the very same issue, one has to recognize that under our tax act we have brought in a lot of liberalizing measures which allow credits to be transferred from a spouse who is working and earning income to one who is not. I will go through some of these. For example, we have the age credit, the pension credit, the medical expense tax credit, the disability tax credit, the charitable donations tax credit. The tuition and educational tax credit can also—

[Taxation, March 1st, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to be able to respond to the acting leader for the opposition.

We have recognized these disparities which occur. This is why we have taken 600,000 low income taxpayers right off the tax rolls in our last two budgets.

What the Leader of the Opposition fails to recognize in his question is that there are various tax credits which can be transferred among spouses when one—

[Taxation, March 1st, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, for a family earning $50,000, two earners and two children, the combination of our last two budgets has reduced the total tax bite by fully 15%. On top of that we have introduced the child tax benefit, $850 million in one budget followed by another $300 million on the last budget for a total of $2 billion to low income working families.

[The Budget, February 19th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for a very important question.

Our debt repayment plan is very simple. First of all, two year rolling targets which we have always met or surpassed. Second, very prudent economic assumptions. Third, a contingency reserve of $3 billion. Fourth, if not needed, that goes directly to pay down the debt.

As a result, we paid down the debt by $3.5 billion last year. Our debt has fallen from 71.2% of GDP to 65%, going to 62% in—

[Transfer Payments, February 19th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, it has always been a premise of the government that Canadians, no matter where they live, would have an equal right to federal transfers for their health care, for their post-secondary education and for welfare payments. This is what it is to be Canadian.

[Taxation, February 19th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, speaking of small businesses, for the 24th month in a row business bankruptcies have gone down. This is a result of our polices.

If the hon. member is dissatisfied with our budget maybe he should take a couple of words from the book of their keynote speaker at their alternative gathering this weekend. Ralph Klein said “The feds did the right thing in the budget and I have to admit that”. Does this mean they are going to throw him out of their caucus?

[Ways And Means, February 18th, 1999]

Madam Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 83(1), I wish to table a notice of a ways and means motion respecting the National Parks Act. I am also tabling background information.

Our national parks remain one of the greatest resources available to all Canadians. They continue to expand, become more accessible and more pristine under current stewardship.

I ask that an order of the day be designated for consideration of the motion.

[The Economy, February 15th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member raises a very important problem. If actions are any indication of the future budget, let me indicate what we have already done. In the last budget we took 400,000 of the lowest income Canadian taxpayers right off the tax rolls. Over the last two budgets we introduced the child tax benefit, starting at $850 million and doubling it in the last budget for our biggest expenditure on a social program aimed at helping the poorest working families. That is our record.

[Taxation, February 15th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, the member said that we have lineups in hospitals because of high taxes. I do not understand it.