Bob Speller

[Excise Tax Act, December 5th, 1996]

Reform put the motion forward and I think it is shameful.

On Bill C-70 and the hoist motion, it is important to understand what it means for a rural area such as mine. In my area there are a significant number of tobacco farmers. On this whole question of taxation and excise taxes their point of view should be heard, whether or not the Reform Party wants it heard.

Getting back to what I was saying about the importance of taxation, of the GST and the legislation, in my area $14 million goes to local governments. The whole tax question is important to the local economy. An enormous amount of work has been done by a group in this area. It breaks down specifically some of the percentages of the total effect on employment in the area and the impact of taxes such as these on a farming community like mine.

These farmers were encouraged by previous governments to come to my area of southwestern Ontario to grow tobacco and build communities such as Delhi, Tillsonburg and Aylmer. Throughout this area the tobacco farmers pay taxes. It is important to put their point of view forward here today.

In terms of the legislation the hon. member referred to, I do not think most farmers in my area will have a problem with that bill. Even though it addresses some questions in terms of dealing with how young people get access to tobacco, I do not think it is specifically directed at the tobacco industry. However a taxation bill, an excise tax by the Minister of Finance and the tax he put on tobacco companies will have a direct impact and I will explain how this relates to the House.

In 1994 when we put on the tax the major companies did not take that tax out of their profits. In fact, it came out of the pockets of the farmers in my area. The price the farmers got kept going down as a result of governments applying taxes. I am sure it will be similar in this case also.

Most Canadians, especially the people in my area of Haldimand-Norfolk do not like the idea of more government taxes. It is important for us as a government to put forward programs which do not require more taxation. I congratulate the Minister of Finance for not raising taxes in that regard. It is important for the government to show that it can live within its own means. If we are going to provide services in the country, they should be provided in such a way that they do not add to the debt or the deficit and that the cost does not come out of the pockets of Canadians. The Minister of Finance has done that very well over the last number of years.

We made a promise to Canadians to do something about the GST. Whether or not, as the opposition likes to say, we promised to scrap it or to reform it, one of the most important things we did in bringing in this tax was to ensure that Canadian small businesses were not hurt as they were when Mr. Mulroney and the Conservatives brought in the original tax. The Minister of Finance has made

over 100 changes which will help small businesses. Canadians especially in the eastern part of the country will be proud of that.

Hopefully one day Ontario will have a system which requires us to pay only one tax so that when people go to the till the tax will not be staring them in the face. That more than anything else will help to turn people's opinions around in terms of what they purchase. Harmonization will help all Canadians.

[Excise Tax Act, December 5th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, it is interesting to note from the hon. member's comments that the Reform Party which supposedly calls for total debate on these issues put forward a motion to essentially cut off the debate.

[Excise Tax Act, December 5th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, it is important for all Canadians to understand the motion. We refer to it has a hoist motion, meaning that the member who put this motion forward would like Bill C-70, an act to amend the Excise Tax Act, to be now read a second time this day six months hence. Essentially it would delay the whole issue.

Taxation and excise taxes are things which are very well known in my riding of Haldimand-Norfolk. There are a number of farmers and other people in my riding who contribute to the tax system. Specifically, there are a number of tobacco farmers in my riding. Taxes like the GST and the Excise Tax Act the Minister of Finance has now put on tobacco products affect the people in my riding. I want to talk a little bit about how this happens.

A study was done in my area, called the "Economic Contribution of the Tobacco Industry in the Tobacco Growing Region of Ontario" by Deloitte & Touche. Essentially it was found that in terms of taxation the tobacco industry in the area studied provides $453 million in income and 70 per cent of that money stays within

the area and of the 9,423 full time equivalent jobs, 76 per cent of those stay within the study area.

The study comprised an area in my riding in southwestern Ontario. It dealt with the economic contributions of the tobacco industry in that area. It also dealt with the taxation question we are dealing with today. This is an important study. I want to ensure that all Canadians know the importance of this industry in a small concentrated area in rural southwestern Ontario.

My area is also home to the largest native reserve in the country. The whole question of how natives are taxed is always on the lips of Canadians. It is important to know the impact of taxation on the smuggling industry and how smuggling has been cut back as a result of the fact that our government lowered the excise tax on tobacco products some two years ago.

It was interesting to hear some of the comments in the earlier debate. Some comments of Reform Party members cut off debate on that very important issue. I know we are not talking about that debate now, but it is important to note that the Reform Party did cut off debate on that issue.

The issue we are dealing with now is the six month hoist on Bill C-70 which is a GST matter. Those three letters concern a number of Canadians, as does the whole question of excise taxes and taxes specifically in my area on tobacco products. One hundred and fifty-seven million dollars in tax revenues, including GST, come into-

[Excise Tax Act, December 5th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, I also want to speak on this motion. It is important for Canadians to know what this motion is about. This motion is essentially a-

[Tobacco Act, December 5th, 1996]

Yes, Madam Speaker, on that same point. As with the hon. member from the Bloc Party, I also rose to speak at that time and unfortunately you did not recognize me nor did you recognize the hon. member either. I am wondering if we can go back to the point.

[Tobacco Act, December 5th, 1996]

Madam Speaker, I rise on a point of order. As you know I was on the list to speak next on this subject. Unfortunately the Reform Party of Canada decided to deny me my right to speak on the matter by putting forward a motion in this House to delay the voting on this.

I am wondering if I could then get the consent of the House to allow me to put forward the views of my constituents. As you know, Madam Speaker, there are 1,200 farmers in my area who are in the tobacco industry and are affected every time a tobacco bill is brought forward in the House. I wonder if I could have that consent.

[Committee Of The Whole, October 28th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. I heard the hon. member say earlier that the debate was going off track. I am wondering how his comments relate in any way to the motion before the House.

[Canada Post, October 8th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Public Works and Government Services. I would like to give credit where credit is due and thank the minister for continuing the moratorium on the closing of rural post offices. Rural Canadians thank her for that.

In one of her recommendations the minister directs Canada Post to improve rather than reduce the quality of service in rural areas and to include the establishment of a reasonable delivery standard for rural areas.

Will the minister guarantee to the House today that she will establish these standards, ensure that rural service will meet the needs of rural Canadians and not just Canada Post and include all rural Canadians in setting up these standards?

[The Criminal Code, October 3rd, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the hon. member for his concern on this issue.

I have in the gallery today a member of the OPP who comes from my riding, Mr. Alex Williamson. I wonder if the hon. member would be confident in telling Mr. Williamson, who is a long term member of the OPP, given the opposition says this motion is weak and ineffective, that we are making a strong case against dangerous offenders.

[Interparliamentary Delegation Reports, October 2nd, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 34, I have the honour to present to the House three reports from the Canadian Branch Commonwealth Parliamentary Association concerning our parliamentary seminar which was held in London, United Kingdom from March 5 to 16, 1996, a parliamentary visit which was held in London, United Kingdom from May 8 to 24, 1996 and the Canadian Regional Conference which was held in Winnipeg, Manitoba from July 27 to August 2, 1996. These are in both official languages.