Jim Peterson

[Taxation, February 15th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, we will continue our overall policy of reducing personal income taxes which was done on an almost across the board basis last year. But we cannot do this in an irresponsible manner, one which would jeopardize our ability to reinvest in the health care structure, in the social infrastructure and in the economic infrastructure of our country. As well we have to pay down the debt which is at an enormous level.

We do not have unlimited options. We have adopted a very responsible approach.

[Health Care, February 15th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, again that is the party that was calling for a two tier health care system, one designed to penalize the poor.

We are the party that restored $1.5 billion as our first spending priority for health care. This is the government which has brought in about 12 different health care measures in past budgets. This is the party that is committed to making tomorrow's budget a health care budget.

[Health Care, February 15th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, Canadians have a right to know what it is exactly that the Reform Party is proposing. “Securing Your Future” refers to $1.1 billion in cuts to EI benefits, $1 billion in cuts to equalization, $1.1 billion in cuts to regional economic development. At the same time it would cut EI by 28% but to employers only. Those are Reform's priorities.

[Taxation, February 15th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, I can assure the House that, unlike the Reform budget, our budget will build in prudence factors. It will not assume 5.5% growth rates for each of the next three years. We will not have a $9 billion black hole of spending cuts without telling Canadians where. We will not imperil our hard won economic credibility by impossible promises.

[Taxation, February 15th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, the tax burden in Canada, among the G-7, is about in the middle. In that area we recognize that our personal income taxes are higher than in any of the other G-7 countries. This is why last year we began the process of overall personal income tax reductions.

If he is talking about arithmetic, maybe the hon. member could explain to us how, in the Reform budget, they have a $9 billion black hole of cuts and they will not even tell us what they are.

[Health Care, February 15th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, even when we were running a $43 billion deficit our first priority was to restore $1.5 billion to the transfers for health care. That is where our priorities were. We are very concerned about the level of health care for every Canadian. This is why the Prime Minister, the health minister and the finance minister have said we will be addressing health in tomorrow's budget.

[Health Care, February 15th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, in terms of tax concessions, in terms of a balanced approach, in terms of paying down the debt, this is what we have undertaken in our last five budgets and which I am sure the hon. member will see reflected in the budget tabled tomorrow.

We are not maniacal about any one particular area. That is why we have adopted the balanced approach.

[Taxation, February 15th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, I have a great deal of respect for the hon. member, except I do not know why he always does it to himself.

The facts are very simple. When we took office following that government we had unemployment at 11.4%. We had unemployment insurance at $3.07 going to $3.30.

We have been able to make very significant dents in both those areas and I am very pleased that we have been able to do it. But it was no thanks to what we inherited.

[Taxation, February 15th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, tax revenues obviously go up as the number of jobs and working Canadians goes up.

Thank goodness we had a very successful year last year: 450,000 new jobs created, 200,000 of those going to young Canadians. This is why personal income tax revenues are up.

[Taxation, February 15th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, I find it passing strange to hear the Reform Party today talking about health care when yesterday it was calling for a two tier system for the delivery of health in Canada.

I certainly cannot use the word hypocrisy, but we will never allow a two tier health system in this country.