Gary Pillitteri

[Committee Of The House, April 23rd, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, had I been here, I would have voted with my colleagues in the government.

[The Budget, March 18th, 1997]

It was not by tax increases. We have done this by lowering spending on behalf of the government. We lowered our spending by a ratio of seven to one that we transferred to the provinces. The provinces were warned two years ahead that their transfers were going to be cut.

In comparison we cut our own spending by seven to one. We have not done this on the backs of Canadians, as the hon. member across the way and his party wanted to do it. We wanted to do it fairly. We wanted to do it slowly so that in actuality people would reflect and understand what we were doing. We did not want to burn and slash as the hon. member across the way wanted to do. We wanted to do it in a way that was fair to Canadians, and we have done so.

Our job is not finished yet. We want to continue and certainly we will continue because we are on the right track.

[The Budget, March 18th, 1997]

Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. member for his excellent question.

When we went to an election in 1993 there was a $42 billion deficit. We stated at the time that we would bring our deficit down to 3 per cent of GDP, and we have done that. We are very proud of that. Not only have we done it, but we have excelled on it.

[The Budget, March 18th, 1997]

Madam Speaker, I will be sharing my time with the member for Fredericton-York-Sunbury.

We all know that budgets are delivered to the House of Commons and the nation as a whole, but budgets are lived every day

within communities throughout our country. This budget, in my opinion, has encountered a very positive response in the homes and workplaces of many families of my constituency, in fact, in hundreds of thousands of families across the nation.

This time the government did not speak to the corporate boardrooms of the nation nor did it speak to the international money making organizations, important as they may be. It spoke instead to the homes and families which are the real strength in the country. When we speak of families, every parent across the country will tell us that their greatest concern is the well-being and future of their children. The budget addresses the future of Canada's children.

In the budget, the Liberal government proposes a two-step enrichment of the current child tax benefit. What an historic undertaking, two levels of government committing to a new cross Canada child benefit system.

By investing in our children, we reflect Canadian values and priorities and make our investment in a stronger society. I am very proud that the budget allocates $230 million over the next three years to assist the disabled. Canadians with disabilities face real barriers. However, they do not seek any special treatment. They seek equal citizenship and need our support to secure it. For this important reason, the medical expense tax credit has been broadened.

In the budget, the finance minister addresses important family issues with his championing of medicare and his aid to the most in need among us.

My riding of Niagara Falls was lucky enough to be represented in the House by another champion of medicare. I am referring to the Hon. Judy LaMarsh, who was responsible for some of the most innovative legislation within the Pearson government. It was under her guidance, as minister of national health and welfare in 1963-65 that the Canada pension plan was implemented and Canada's medicare system was designed.

Recently, and always under a Liberal government, we have learned from the National Forum on Health that the money spent on health in Canada is more than sufficient. There is, however, a lot of evidence that the money is not being spent as effectively and efficiently as it could be. The budget has listened to this and is providing funds that will help to pave the way for more effective and efficient health care system which will bring Canada into the 21st century.

Despite the over 700,000 new jobs created since 1993, we strongly believe that the unemployment rate remains too high. What parent, as head of a family, is not concerned with how they make their daily bread? The budget addresses job creation, jobs which support the dignity of individuals as no one enjoys being unemployed, jobs which allow the breadwinners to give their families a decent standard of living, and jobs that will allow family members to contribute to the new revitalized Canada pension plan for which, Mr. Prime Minister, we all thank you today. The tourism sector is a very important component for the creation of jobs in the Niagara region. The industry is expected to grow by 125,000 new jobs in the coming years and the budget allocates $95 million for this very purpose.

My constituency of Niagara Falls borders the U.S. and it has some of the most spectacular scenery in the world. I must admit that the budget's support and encouragement of tourism is good news for my constituency and for all the Niagara peninsula. The help provided in the budget to the tourism industry will be great for all of Canada. Is it not true that almost every constituency in Canada is a tourist destination?

Tourism is more that just the scenery. By working in conjunction with the aid provided to tourism by the Liberal government we will succeed in making our cities, towns and villages equal to our scenery as places for tourists to see and enjoy.

We are building our tourism industry not only for visitors from abroad but for Canadians who will then be able to meet and discover one another and explore each other's culture. I firmly believe that inter-Canadian tourism can do much more to knit the country together than all the politicians and constitutional lawyers will ever be able to do.

As our cities, towns and village grow older and our population stabilizes we have to renew and rebuild much of our infrastructure system and the budget has recognized this. Even the most right wing of private enterprise supporters would have to agree that if there is a place for government spending it has to be on infrastructure. It must be the streets, roads, bridges and schools. As we all know, those are not in the areas where enterprises excel.

Our families need good infrastructure for improved health care, education and safety. Businesses need good infrastructure to become more competitive and to create the profits which in turn will supply the economy with jobs and revenue. My appreciation, and I am sure the appreciation of millions of Canadians, goes out to the Liberal government for recognizing the need of this basic stepping stone for reaching the 21st century.

Lower interest rates are expected to generate between 300,000 and 350,000 new jobs this year. They have translated into real savings and real benefits to individuals and business alike. Furthermore, the measures announced in our fourth budget cannot but facilitate greatly the task of small business in creating jobs.

Speaking of small business, I would like to address the farming community and its constituents who in most cases are small or medium sized business owners. I am sure they will appreciate the budget measures geared to the Farm Credit Corporation, which will enhance economic growth in rural Canada by providing specialized and personalized services to farming operations. Family farms

and small and medium sized businesses that are related to farming will then be able to benefit from it. Increases in the Farm Credit Corporation's lending activities will help to enhance the economic development of rural Canada, particularly the agri-food sector.

In conclusion, when we took office Canadians knew that tough decisions and fundamental changes were required. Canadians did not want any tinkering. They asked for lasting solutions. They wanted us to develop a plan and stick to it. With our fourth budget we have done just that and we are continuing to do so because we know we are on the right track.

One of our greatest prime ministers, Sir Wilfrid Laurier, said that the the 20th century belonged to Canada, and it surely has. However, our work is not complete. Our record is not perfect, but it shows that the Liberal government has taken its commitments very seriously. Our current Prime Minister and Minister of Finance have with this budget staked out our claim which will successfully lead Canada and all Canadians into the 21st century.

[Tobacco, February 11th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, we have witnessed the Liberal government's ongoing commitment to Canadian youth by several initiatives geared to provide our young people with a better and brighter future. To achieve this important goal, the government needs the full co-operation of the whole community.

The recently introduced tobacco legislation is focused mainly on deterring our young from ever starting to smoke. Therefore, the report showing that the community of retailers in Niagara Falls has the highest percentage of refusals to sell tobacco to minors, 90 per cent against 50 per cent which is the national average, is indeed welcome.

Niagara Falls retailers have demonstrated their commitment in helping to prevent youth from experimenting with and becoming addicted to tobacco, thereby contributing to a healthier society.

[Petitions, February 3rd, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, I have a petition from the residents of Niagara Falls and the Niagara peninsula.

The petitioners call on Parliament to urge the federal government to join the provincial governments to make the national highway system upgrading possible.

[Ruth Redmond, November 28th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, today I rise in this honourable House to recognize Miss Ruth Redmond, a constituent of Niagara Falls. On December 1, 1996 she will officially receive the Gabrielle Léger award for her work in preserving a significant part of the historical Lundy's Lane Battlefield site.

Miss Redmond was educated at Queen's University and has had a long and honourable career as a teacher, serving at Stamford Collegiate in Niagara Falls from 1926 until her retirement in 1967. Among the many students who considered Miss Redmond a mentor was Judy LaMarsh, former Liberal member of Parliament for Niagara Falls and a former federal cabinet minister.

The Gabrielle Léger award, given under the patronage of Madam Gabrielle Léger, wife of the late Governor General Jules Léger, is the highest award given by the Heritage Canada Foundation.

I am sure that all in this House will join me today in congratulating the efforts and the admirable commitment that Miss Redmond made to future generations by helping to preserve our past.

[Petitions, November 18th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, I rise pursuant to Standing Order 36 to present a petition that has been certified correct in form and content.

The petitioners, residents of Niagara Falls and the Niagara peninsula, are calling on Parliament to urge the federal government to join with the provincial government to make the operation of a national highway system possible.

[Petitions, November 1st, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, I rise pursuant to Standing Order 36 to present a petition sent in recently by members of my constituency of Niagara Falls.

This petition is certified correct in form and content. It calls on the House of Commons and Parliament to ask the Canadian government to renegotiate the tax treaty with the United States and give consideration to enacting a tax credit refund to those who are now being taxed under the treaty. The existing tax treaty reduces the social benefits received by retired Canadian citizens in the United States.

[Stay-In-School Scholarship, November 1st, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, aware of the rising costs of post-secondary education and many challenges faced by their youth members, the Boys and Girls Club of Ontario started a scholarship program in 1992.

This year's recipient of the Stay-in-School Scholarship is Dana Vout, a constituent of Niagara Falls, who began her volunteer work with the club in 1990. Dana is now a third year student at Brock University in an honours psychology program and plans to attend teachers college upon graduation. She is the recipient of several other awards and has distinguished herself on several occasions. Moreover, Dana is a dedicated and capable young individual upon whom our community can always depend.

I am sure the House will join me in congratulating and commending Dana for her achievements and in thanking the Boys and Girls Club of Niagara Falls which had the vision to start this worthwhile program.