Garth Turner

[Taxation, February 5th, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, people from across the country who wish to see income splitting for families came here to debate it last week. Two days later a finance official told the media:

It's highly unlikely income splitting will be in the next budget. It's nowhere near the top of the list.

He also said that the government prefers personal income tax cuts and that it wants to lighten the burden on businesses.

Does this guy speak for the Minister of Finance? Did the minister authorize this leak of budget information? Is this what families can expect?

[Income Trusts, January 29th, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, the wife of this particular voter died in a car crash six years ago. He invested the money from that insurance settlement in an income trust for the benefit of his grandchildren, but much of that money has now disappeared because of the government's action.

I am wondering what the Minister of Finance might be able to say to this particular gentleman and if he will agree to meet with him after question period.

[Income Trusts, January 29th, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, in the gallery today is Bill Barrowclough, a retiree from Peterborough--

[Bankruptcy and Insolvency, December 12th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Labour. Last year more than 85,000 Canadians went bankrupt, yet the government is introducing legislation that is about to make it easier for creditors to seize the retirement savings of bankrupt Canadians. Will the minister please tell Canadians exactly why the government is about to put their savings more at risk?

[Taxation, December 7th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the minister who is not Scrooge.

According to Statistics Canada today, about four million Canadian families have no retirement savings. The issue is serious because these families basically have a zero savings rate and a very high tax rate. Can they look forward to two things: an across the board income tax cut and income splitting?

[Taxation, December 5th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Finance. Yesterday bank economists confirmed that Canadian families have never been in as much debt as they are today. Mortgage debt is rising by 11% a year. Household debt now exceeds 120% of household income.

Does the minister agree that the best way to help these folks avoid a debt crisis is to cut the basic personal income tax rate?

[Softwood Lumber Products Export Charge Act, 2006, December 4th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, I am voting yes.

[Softwood Lumber Products Export Charge Act, 2006, December 4th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, I will be voting yes.

[Softwood Lumber Products Export Charge Act, 2006, December 4th, 2006]

I will be voting no, Mr. Speaker.

[Softwood Lumber Products Export Charge Act, 2006, December 4th, 2006]

I will be voting yes, Mr. Speaker.