David Anderson

[Tax Credits, December 15th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member can rest assured that there will be no payment on pseudo claims for tax credits.

We have a very strict procedure for dealing with the tax credits for scientific research and experimental development. The three criteria are: first, there must be advanced knowledge; second, there must be a real risk of failure involved; and third, the research must be undertaken by experts.

We are now assessing the applications. I might add that anybody can put in a request for such an application. It simply does not mean that Revenue Canada will accept it. We are looking at it closely with over 300 auditors and also a large number of scientific experts to make sure that in fact no money is paid under this scheme other than that which is due to be paid.

[Taxation, December 15th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, despite repeated efforts on this side of the House the Bloc still does not understand what accounts receivable are.

In the accounts receivable there are many Canadians who are having difficulty paying on time, but who have made arrangements with the government to pay over a period of time. They owe us money. No question. They pay it back with interest.

Also in that accounts receivable are certain Canadians who dispute tax questions with us. They say we do not owe as much as you say. When we examine their documents we often discover that they are right. I certainly do not think we should be collecting money from Canadians who do not owe it to us.

The accounts receivable are exactly that. We are coming off a bad recessionary period, the Tory recession. We are coming on to the margin recovery. We are doing all we can to help Canadians who are having difficulty and who are now getting back on their feet.

The last thing we are going to do is force them into receivership and bankruptcy by the policies adopted by the Bloc Quebecois.

[Department Of Canadian Heritage Act, December 15th, 1994]

moved that Bill C-53, an act to establish the Department of Canadian Heritage and to amend and repeal certain other acts, be read the third time and passed.

[Customs Brokers, December 14th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I can certainly accept the representation of the hon. member to review it. It is not a policy which is yet finally determined. We are examining it at the present time and we will make a decision shortly.

I should point out that the concern I expressed in the House a moment or two ago is a very real one. We must make sure that the customs system in Canada does not result in some importers paying double the amount because of the failure of the agent that they employ as a customs broker.

[Customs Brokers, December 14th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, in my view the figures provided by the hon. member are not accurate. Certainly his projections for the future are inaccurate.

Over the last four years there have been 15 failures of customs brokers leading to very substantial problems for their clients. Their clients of course are the ordinary importers of Canada.

The problem that arises under these circumstances is that the clients are liable for a second time for money they paid to the customs broker. It is vital that we deal with this problem. We must create a fair system of mutual insurance so that the client of the customs broker can be protected. This is what we are attempting to do.

[Customs Brokers, December 8th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, when new measures are introduced with respect to insurance provisions it is always possible that some people will be in such financial position that they will be unable to obtain insurance, whether through their association or outside it. That is a possibility.

However, I would assure the hon. member that the system put in place was developed by the customs brokers. We are attempting to assist so that there will be some self-regulation and self-policing in the customs brokerage industry. Therefore the risks to the public of Canada and in particular the risks to the individual customers of customs brokers will be dramatically reduced.

[Customs Brokers, December 8th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, the problem relating to the failure of these customs agents to which the hon. member referred is a serious one because the moneys they take in which are due to the Government of Canada is lost in many cases when the companies go bankrupt.

In addition, there are some major problems with respect to the amount of capitalization that some of these companies have. This means that assets are very few and slight even though the individual who may own the company may have other assets of considerable worth.

We have therefore instituted, in co-operation with the Association of Customs Brokers, a new scheme to provide adequate insurance for those who might be faced with financial difficulties. This scheme has been accepted by the association and accepted by the department. I believe it is a beneficial scheme to make sure that the problems that arise, in particular for the customers of customs brokers, will not reoccur in the future.

[Points Of Order, December 6th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, if there was any suggestion that the hon. member was smuggling guns I immediately would like to correct that impression. My question was only how does he get these accurate figures on the guns that are smuggled?

[Gun Control, December 6th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member appears to be unaware that the proposals for gun control are extremely well thought out and in fact have wide support among the Canadian people.

Further, with respect to the border, I do not know where he gets these precise accurate figures on illegal weapons unless he himself is out there doing it.

[Income Tax, December 2nd, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. member for his concern on this very important issue.

The Minister of Finance and I issued yesterday a press release outlining changes to the tax system that will plug loopholes with respect to tax shelters. We are particularly concerned that there are many people who are taking advantage of what were originally set up as legitimate opportunities in high risk areas. They are now taking these opportunities simply to avoid paying taxes.

For example, we have uncovered tax shelters where no business activity was being undertaken and the only thing the individual received in return for their investment was a brochure; that is, the only thing other than a tax benefit of substantial proportions.

We will continue to make sure that the tax system is fair for Canadians and we will make changes as necessary to make sure that all Canadians pay their fair share.