Tony Valeri

[Taxation, February 24th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, as has been said often by members on this side of the House, it is because of the hard work and the support of Canadians that we have been able to accomplish the successes we have had as a government. It is with the support of Canadians that we will be able to allow Canadians in partnership with the government to go into the next century working hard together and building Canada.

We have no lessons to take from the Reform Party. If those tax changes that the Reform Party continues to talk about in any way imperil the finances of this government, it is not what Canadians support. We will continue on our track.

[The Debt, February 24th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, Canadians have waited nearly 30 years for what the finance minister may announce today. Surely the opposition can wait two more hours. Let me be very specific. The big hand is on the six. The little hand is on the four. Altogether, 4.30. I hope they are here to listen to the finance minister.

[Taxation, February 24th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, I am not sure how long I can stand in my place and say this before the opposition members understand.

In less than two hours the finance minister will stand in his place and announce and read the budget speech. That is in fact what he will do. Again it will be good news for Canadians, perhaps not good news for the members of the opposition.

[Youth, February 24th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, in fact in less than two hours the Minister of Finance will bring down his budget and all these questions may be addressed.

Let me say this, Mr. Speaker. That is good news for the government. That is not good news for the opposition.

[Taxation, February 24th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, I invite the hon. member to make sure that he is here at 4.30 p.m. so that he can stand and applaud the budget of the government and the speech of the Minister of Finance.

[Taxation, February 24th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, let us be perfectly clear. The government need not take any lessons from the Reform Party on taxes.

We are the government that with the support of Canadians has battled down a $42 billion deficit, which is the only reason why today we are able to talk about a potential fiscal dividend. It is because of the actions of this government, and we will continue on that front.

[The Economy, February 24th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, as the hon. member knows, at 4.30 p.m. there will be the presentation of a budget in the House.

I am sure the hon. member will be here to listen to the budget, for a change. I look forward, in coming days as we move into the budget debate, to listen to the hon. member speak in favour of these government initiatives.

[Taxation, February 23rd, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, as the hon. member mentioned, last week the Conservative Party released a prebudget submission in which it urged that we cut taxes before we balance the budget. That goes to show the kind of priority that party places on balanced finances.

It is hardly surprising from a party which left Canada to dig out from under a $42 billion deficit, hardly surprising.

[Taxation, February 23rd, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, tomorrow at 4.30 p.m. the budget will be presented to the House. I invite my hon. colleague to be here tomorrow so he can hear quite clearly what is in the budget.

As we saw in the prebudget consultation the government is listening to Canadians. I am sure he will see in the budget what will be a reflection of Canadian priorities.

[Pensions, February 23rd, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, first let us make it clear that this government believes the creation of the seniors benefit is critical if we still believe in Canada. It is important to provide pension support for low income senior women and men. This government believes that. Sadly the Reform Party does not.