House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2006, with 55% of the vote.
Taxation February 12th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, as we faced these difficult circumstances, one of our first priorities was to reinvest in health care. That is why our first major expenditure was to put $1.5 billion into the CHST for health care.
That shows what our priority is. I ask the hon. member to wait for our budget on Tuesday.
Taxation February 12th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, even in difficult times, from our first budget, we started out with targeted tax cuts to help Canadians who are most in need. We started with students, Canada's disabled, the poorest families, charities and the voluntary sector.
In the last budget we were able to take 400,000 Canadians off the tax rolls. We introduced tax measures which cut income taxes by $7 billion over three years. We were able to benefit—
Financial Institutions February 11th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, we have introduced that legislation today. It will mean that foreign banks can come into Canada using the capital which they have on a global basis to support their lending activities here in Canada.
This legislation brings Canada into line with the accepted practice throughout the western world. It has been encouraged by all of our financial institutions, as well as the MacKay task force, the finance committee of the House of Commons and of the other place.
We look forward to the co-operation and support of all members.
The Economy February 11th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, I value my job too much to leak anything that would be in the budget.
From day one tax cuts have been important to us. We started out with targeted tax cuts to those who are most in need, to those who are disabled, to charities in the voluntary sector, to poor families. In the last budget we doubled the amount of the child tax benefit and provided $1.7 billion to the poorest families in Canada. We took 400,000 of the—
The Economy February 11th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, the member certainly outlines how from day one in our first budget, even though we had a huge deficit, we have been investing in the future of Canadians. One of our first major investments was to increase the floor of the transfers for health care.
We realize that we cannot have a strong country unless we have the best trained and best educated young people. That is why we have made this huge investment in the future of our young Canadians.
Bank Act February 11th, 1999
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-67, an act to amend the Bank Act, the Winding-up and Restructuring Act and other acts related to financial institutions and to make consequential amendments to other acts.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
Ways And Means February 11th, 1999
Madam Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 83(1), I wish to table a notice of ways and means motion to amend the Income Tax Act, and I ask that an order of the day be designated for consideration of the motion.
These amendments deal with permitting the new foreign bank entry regime for Canada, the so-called foreign branching regime, a long awaited measure. I am also tabling background notes.
Taxation February 10th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, we have continuously reduced taxes and we have said there will be more forthcoming.
In terms of the $54 billion in new tax measures that the Reform Party has proposed for the next three years, it has not come clean on exactly which programs it would cut. This is irresponsibility of the worst order, but unfortunately that is what we have come to expect from the Reform Party.
Taxation February 10th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, I could not be prouder of the measures our government took in concert with the provinces in order to ensure the continuity and ongoing viability of the Canada pension plan.
I look at the Reform Party proposal to hold the line on all existing programs, including seniors pensions. As if there are not going to be more and more seniors in Canada who require more and more support over the next three years. I would not be cutting seniors pensions the way the Reform Party is. We have preserved them.
Taxation February 10th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, I think we have to know where the Reform Party is coming from. This is the party that over the three years in its prebudget submission proposed $54 billion of new fiscal measures.
What has it done? It is predicting there will be growth in our economy for each of those years of 5.5%. It is absolutely no wonder that it wants to unite with the Tory party which has won the governor general's prize for fiction for its budgets.