Karen Redman

[An Act To Amend The Act Of Incorporation Of The Roman Catholic Episcopal Corporation Of Mackenzie, March 18th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. I think you would find unanimous consent for the following motion. I move:

That notwithstanding any standing order and the usual practices of the House, Bill S-20, an act to amend the Act of incorporation of the Roman Catholic Episcopal Corporation of Mackenzie, be now called for second reading; and that the House do proceed to dispose of the bill at all stages, including committee of the whole.

[National Revenue, March 17th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of National Revenue.

Rotating strikes by the Public Service Alliance are disrupting operations at Revenue Canada. In the midst of the tax season, millions of Canadians want to know if this strike action is going to delay their tax return cheques and other benefits they are owed by the government.

[Canadian Red Cross, March 15th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to inform the House that March is Canadian Red Cross Month.

In my riding of Kitchener Centre and across the Waterloo region the local Red Cross branch is holding its 7th annual jelly bean blitz. This event raises not only awareness for it but much needed funds.

I commend and acknowledge the hard work of the 200 local volunteers who assist the Red Cross each year. The Canadian Red Cross is a humanitarian organization that delivers valuable programs ranging from water safety and first aid to abuse prevention and breakfast programs. It is also active overseas in helping victims of war and natural disaster.

I take this opportunity to recognize this organization which dedicates itself to the welfare of people all over the world and wish it a successful Red Cross Month.

[International Women's Week, March 9th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, this is International Women's Week. Canadians across the country are participating in events to mark this special occasion.

In my riding of Kitchener Centre, in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce, I hosted a breakfast featuring author Stevie Cameron and producer Lynda Shulyer who shared their personal experiences and challenges. It was a motivational morning.

History is being written right now. We must ensure that our sisters, daughters and granddaughters have the opportunity to realize their potential, that they are able to contribute to our country and our society in the fullest way possible. We have a responsibility to be their mentors and to guarantee the doors are open wide for them.

Judy LaMarsh, the first female Liberal government cabinet minister, once wrote:

Women will some day be equal in Canada and elsewhere in the western world. Through periods of incredible adversity as pioneer wives and daughters, we have filled the breach in every conceivable way. Each year we inch closer to true quality of opportunity.

Ms. LaMarsh was correct. We have come through great adversity but we cannot stop—

[The Budget, March 3rd, 1999]

Madam Speaker, there are two halves to the equation. I really support the fact that we are looking at our debt through our GDP ratio. As the hon. member opposite points out, even with a $50 billion investment, which would leave us no money to reinvest in the programs we hear Canadians asking for and the kind of social structure Canadians are demanding, it would still take a long time to pay the debt off.

I do not see this government having a single focus on merely paying down debt. As we went across Canada, people said health care was up here and their second priority was down here. I believe that this budget and this government have achieved the balance that will give a quality of life to Canadians as well as help to retire the debt.

[The Budget, March 3rd, 1999]

Madam Speaker, I appreciate the hon. member's question. She really has put her finger on one of the large concerns in my community.

This federal budget is very good news for the people of Ontario. One of the things the social union framework acknowledges and legitimizes is the partnership we have with the province. This is a good news budget for the people in Winterbourne, for the people in Kitchener, for the people in all of Ontario because we are releasing resources and $3.5 billion can be accessed immediately. What the Harris government decides to do with that will be something he will have to be accountable to the people of Ontario for.

[The Budget, March 3rd, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, I will be splitting my time. It is an honour to rise in the House today to speak to the 1999 budget. This year's budget is a Canadian budget. It invests in community, the community of Canada.

What the government does not do is often as important as what it does do. What we have not done with this budget is jeopardize our sound fiscal base, a base that has enabled us to withstand international fluctuation in economic trends.

This budget does not buy our way to prosperity as the authors of the alternative federal budget, the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives and Choices, would have us do.

We are investing in our national social system because this is what Canadians have stated they want. This is what our government is providing. It is the Canadian way, it is the Liberal way. This budget does not abandon sound fiscal principles. We will balance the books through to the year 2001. We are not setting unrealistic targets.

Three years ago when the debt to GDP ratio was at its peak, 36 cents out of every revenue dollar, more than one-third, went to debt interest. This was money Canadians could not use to prepare for the future because their governments were too busy paying for the past.

Last year with the debt ratio dropping, the portion of each revenue dollar servicing the debt also dropped to 27 cents. We have not returned to the old ways of the old days. We will continue to invest and build on last year's focus of research, job creation and knowledge.

This budget does not use borrowed money to invest in the future of Canada and the welfare of Canadians. We are in a position to reinvest Canadian dollars in the priority of Canadians.

It is impossible to cover everything contained in the budget in this 10 minute speech. However, in my opinion there are four main themes I would like to cover: fundamentals, framework, fairness and the future.

First, the fundamentals. Our economy is in excellent shape. Our unemployment rates are at all time lows. Interest rates are down. The deficit has been paid off. It is through the efforts of all Canadians that we are in a position to invest in our nation's social system. This budget does just that.

Debt reduction is a priority for this government but it is not its only priority. Of course we must pay down our debt. Step one is our commitment to not overspend annually on our budget. We will not borrow to buy the groceries. This government will not put all our resources into debt reduction alone. It is like paying off the mortgage on the house but allowing the children to go hungry and leaving the roof leaking without repair. This scenario does not strike a balance. It lacks vision for long term health and it is not what Canadians have said they want.

In a survey my constituents of Kitchener Centre responded that 80% of them wanted some debt reduction. They said it should be a priority. The government is making that a reality with the $3 billion contingency fund which will go annually to paying down the debt.

I can stand in the House and firmly state that I believe this government will pay down the debt. As a matter of fact, we will eliminate the debt. But it will be by continually acting in a prudent fashion. We will meet the expectations of my constituents and all Canadians with sound fiscal management.

The tax policy of the federal government is based on three fundamental principles. I would like to take a moment to outline these. The first is that our tax system must be fair. Tax reductions must benefit those who need them the most, low and middle income Canadians.

Second, broad based tax relief should focus initially on personal income taxes.

Finally, because of our debt burden, broad based tax relief should not be financed with borrowed money.

As we know, this year's budget builds on last year's budget. On budget day I had a hard time going through it trying to find some kind of surprise that I could share with the local media. This speaks to the transparency and the broad based consultation that the government has been involved with to find out truly what Canadians want to see and the vision that we will share as a government.

The government has begun the process of providing broad based tax relief for all Canadians. Together the 1998 and 1999 budgets provide the largest proportion in tax reductions at the lowest income level. This is good news. We have removed 600,000 Canadians from the tax rolls. I am pleased that the government has continued to reduce the 3% surtax for those earning between $50,000 and $65,000. Fourteen million Canadians will receive tax reduction as a result of this measure.

The second theme to be addressed is framework. Through the social union, the government has provided true leadership. Canadians are tired of different levels of government pointing fingers at each other. The social framework allows all governments to move toward solutions that benefit Canadians. As a society we have shared responsibilities on issues such as homelessness, affordable housing and lack of skilled workers.

The government is looking to forge partnerships as well with labour and industry so together we can address these important social issues.

Faith communities in my riding of Kitchener Centre are planning a forum with members of parliament and our provincial counterparts as well as leaders at the regional and municipal level because they acknowledge there is a shared responsibility and are looking for solutions, not excuses.

There are fundamental issues of health care delivery that must be addressed. We must look at how we pay for health care, how we structure it in our communities and how we meet the evolving demographic needs and the changing roles of health care providers.

In addition, there is a strong desire by Canadians to see the development of key indicators for measuring health care delivery. Our investments in research will help develop these important research measures.

The government has gone beyond just transferring larger funds of money for health care to the provinces. We are setting a path for a clear vision for our health care system. We are building a system that is responsive and reflects the changing needs of Canadians. We are committed to working with our provincial and territorial colleagues on innovative health care programs, programs that meet the needs of all Canadians.

Only the most partisan individual can criticize the health care investments the government has made. We have invested according to the priorities of Canadians.

Over the next five years the provinces and territories will receive an additional $11.5 billion specifically for health care. This represents the largest single new investment the government has ever made. For my province of Ontario this is good news. I know that constituents of Kitchener Centre are pleased to hear that Ontario will receive $4.4 billion in health transfers.

A well rounded health care system must have a framework based on a number of key areas: research, home care, pharmacare and leadership within the medical community. This Liberal government has invested in all these areas. I am pleased that the government has committed to investing in projects such as the nurse fund. A $25 million endowment announced in this budget will enable nurses to find solutions to systemic challenges which face them.

I would like to address my third theme, framework. The government has an important role to play in promoting access to knowledge and skills. The budget demonstrates our commitment by the allocation of $1.8 billion for the creation, dissemination and commercialization of knowledge.

In my riding of Kitchener Centre we have seen a great surge of knowledge based companies open their doors. These businesses are always looking for talented individuals capable of functioning in a high tech environment.

We are committed to providing the necessary funds to ensure that our youth can meet the needs of high tech knowledge based companies, whether it be through the Canadian opportunities strategy or the Canada Foundation for Innovation.

I am pleased that the budget makes $150 million available through technology partnerships Canada to partner with the private sector to commercialize innovative processes and products.

It is important to note that the nation's program spending in relation to the GDP is only at 12.5%. This is the lowest level since 1950. This government has only increased spending in a minimal way, yet what we have done is reallocate existing funds and solidified a framework from which to work.

Equalization is a federal transfer program that goes to the heart of what it means to be a Canadian. It is about fairness. This budget fully restores per capita entitlements for all provinces in three years time. The government's increases to the equalization program will make resources available to most of the less prosperous provinces for public services, including health care.

In conclusion, I am extremely proud that not only have we addressed the queries that have been expressed by Canadians but we will be able to build on the gains of yesterday in order to create a bright future for tomorrow for all Canadians.

[Health, February 18th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health.

While the $11.5 billion increase in health transfers is good news for my constituency of Kitchener Centre, I would like to know how the research dollars announced in the 1999 budget will benefit institutions like the University of Waterloo that are not connected to a teaching hospital? How will this announcement benefit all Canadian communities?

[Heritage Week, February 11th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, this is heritage week in Canada and the theme is honouring Canadian heroes.

I would like to highlight three such heroes in my community of Kitchener Centre. Michael Hildebrand, a Grand River math teacher, will be receiving an award from the governor general for bravery for protecting an 11 year old boy from a black bear attack 18 months ago in Algonquin Park.

The congregation of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church and the Reverend Grant McDonald this week received a downtown leadership award for their work in the core of our city.

Jessica Smith is an 11 year old who is battling bone cancer in our community. Her good spirits and good humour prove that she is not only a fighter but also a hero.

It is my pleasure to acknowledge these heroes in my community. They are Canadians who are making a difference.

[Supply, February 11th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, consistently as we crossed Canada last year and this year, we heard a call for a strategic plan for targeted investment by this government and for programs that can be sustained as opposed to throwing money at quick fixes to problems. This is exactly the kind of thing my colleague points out. This government is here for the long haul, for strategic investment and to continue a balanced approach for governing Canada.