House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2000, with 43% of the vote.
Taxation June 4th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, let me quote the Manitoba finance minister. Eric Stefanson, Manitoba's finance minister said “Western provinces have long advocated a national agency. So we support this concept fully”. The member should listen to some of her own cousins out there.
Let me say to the member. Is she against an opportunity to reduce overlap and duplication? Is she in favour of building parallel systems across this country? I do not think so. Canadians want—
Taxation June 4th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, since I have been Minister of National Revenue I have consulted across the country. I can tell all members that Canadians want a single tax administration. Canadians want to reduce overlap and duplication.
Is the member against reducing the compliance cost? Is the member against giving better service to the public, better service to the provinces and better service to Canadian business? She does not know what she is talking about. She should go back and look at how we can become more efficient, more cost effective in serving the Canadian public.
Canada Customs And Revenue Agency Act June 4th, 1998
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-43, an act to establish the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency and to amend and repeal other acts as a consequence.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
Nunavut Act May 28th, 1998
moved that the bill be read the third time and passed.
Nunavut Act May 28th, 1998
moved that the bill, as amended, be concurred in.
(Motion agreed to)
Customs May 26th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, I want to assure the hon. member that customs officers are very much committed to providing the best service for Canadians. In fact as Minister of National Revenue, I have taken the opportunity to visit many of our border crossings as well as airports to ensure that we have efficient customs officers.
I want to remind the hon. member that under sections 11 and 12 of the Customs Act, every person must be cleared through customs. I want to assure the hon. member that I will look into the matter to ensure that we do provide an efficient and quick service to all the travelling public.
Questions On The Order Paper May 15th, 1998
The administration cost for the CANPASS/PACE program at each of the British Columbia border crossings has been estimated at $219,000 per year for the CANPASS/PACE lanes at Pacific Highway, Huntingdon, and Boundary Bay, and $279,000 per year for the CANPASS/PACE lane at Douglas. To arrive at these figures the total cost for the program including the centralized processing of membership applications and the associated headquarters administrative costs were apportioned to the four sites. The estimated costs are the same for both the 1996-97 and 1997-98 fiscal years.
Questions On The Order Paper May 15th, 1998
The total fees collected by Revenue Canada for the CANPASS/PACE lanes at Pacific Highway, Huntingdon, Boundary Bay and Douglas are $694,139.18 for the 1996-97 fiscal year and $729,269.98 for the 1997-98 fiscal year. All of these revenues are tabulated and summarized at the CANPASS processing center situated in Douglas. A breakdown of the revenues collected by individual border crossings in British Columbia is not available.
Questions On The Order Paper May 15th, 1998
Tobacco sticks are provided for in the federal Excise Act which was amended in 1991 to include the new rate of excise duty and the definition for tobacco sticks. At the time it was acknowledged that partially-made cigarettes, requiring some preparation prior to smoking, did not fit into any existing category. Tobacco sticks can only be made by a licensed tobacco manufacturer under the same regulatory requirements as cigarettes.
At the federal level, cigarettes and tobacco sticks attract both excise duties and excise taxes. On the total sale price of a carton of 200 cigarettes, excise duties represent $5.50, while on a carton of 200 tobacco sticks, excises duties represent $3.67. As a result of the increased taxes announced on February 13, 1998, excise taxes on cigarettes and tobacco sticks vary from $2.25 to $5.35 for a carton of cigarettes and from $1.85 to $2.93 for a carton of tobacco sticks, depending in which province the tobacco products are offered for sale. This situation is due to the fact that the federal excise tax rate is linked to the provincial tax rate for tobacco products. For example, in Quebec, a carton of 200 cigarettes would attract $7.75 in federal duties and taxes compared to $5.52 for 200 tobacco sticks. In Alberta the duty and tax is $10.85 on a carton of cigarettes and $6.60 on tobacco sticks.
The government has also indicated its intent to review the tax differential existing between the two products.
Canada Customs May 15th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, Revenue Canada is following its normal policies where facilities are provided. This is very normal in other parts of Canada and in other locations where facilities are provided for customs people.
We would be happy to provide more information for the hon. member. Obviously he is not aware of the way we respond to the same matter across the country. I would be happy to provide more information for him.