House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2000, with 40% of the vote.
Supply March 19th, 1996
I can tell the hon. member that our government's initiatives in the last two years have resulted in an increase of 500,000 jobs in the Canadian economy. Therefore, the hon. member should rise to congratulate the Minister of Finance and the government.
Supply March 19th, 1996
Mr. Speaker, I will simply say that the hon. member's reaction shows that the government is on the right track. As for the matter he raised, to the effect that some company did not pay any tax last year or the year before, I will not go into the specifics of the case, but one must be able to do some basic calculation. When a company makes profits, the government is there to tax it. However, when a company does not make profits, the government simply cannot tax it. This is very simple and this is what the government has done. I want to point out to the hon. member that 500,000 jobs were created since our government took office. These 500,000 jobs were created thanks to the tax measures taken by our government.
Supply March 19th, 1996
Mr. Speaker, I will be sharing my time with my colleague from Durham.
Today, the opposition has decided to move a motion deploring the federal government's decision to hold consultations on the taxation system.
I wish to congratulate the government and the Minister of Finance for this initiative, for it is a highly significant one. I cannot personally claim to be an expert in tax reform, nor do I believe that any of my colleagues here in the House are experts in that area.
If they are, my colleagues will all have time to voice their opinions, whether Liberal, Bloc or Reform. After all, every day in this House we have a chance to make proposals, to pass on our ideas and proposals to the government and to the Minister of Finance, not only on tax system reform, but on any other matter before the House of Commons.
I would respond to my colleague by saying that, since we were elected, the federal government has taken all, or most, of the measures required to put a dynamic economy in place, one that satisfies the public.
One need only look at what the government has done over the past two years in connection with the deficit, which is a matter of concern to all Canadians. Our government has promised to control the deficit. I am sure my opposition colleagues will be able to find it in themselves to congratulate the government for controlling the deficit for two years running. We hope it will continue to be controlled in the years to come.
The private sector has long been asking the government to control the deficit, because, by controlling the deficit, there will be a lot more money for social programs, old age programs, youth programs and health programs. It will also create an atmosphere that would encourage the private sector to create jobs in Canadian society.
Another thing the private sector has long requested of the government is control of the rate of inflation. At the moment in Canada, inflation is at its lowest point in 30 years. This is quite extraordinary, and we should be proud of what the government has done in this area.
The other thing Canadians and the private sector have asked the government to do is control interest rates. People in business, people with mortgages on their home and people who need to borrow to pay their debts will have an opportunity to borrow at a low interest rate. Since our arrival here, the interest rates have been low.
The third thing is economic indicators. If we look at what the government has done up to now, we see that Canadian society and Canada's economy are the strongest among those of all the industrialized countries. The economic indicators are very encouraging. This is one area where the federal government should be congratulated, because it has done something very interesting and of great significance for the private sector and the people of Canada.
Furthermore, in the budget the Minister of Finance delivered in this House, an extraordinary program was implemented. I wish my hon. colleagues opposite would congratulate the government on taking action. For instance, they should look at what the Minister of Finance said in this House about improving assistance to Canadian companies and industries involved in research and development; they should look at what this government has done in terms of reforming seniors programs; they should look at what it has done in terms of reforming programs for Canadian youth, and for students in particular, who will be out looking for work within two or three months and in the next year; they should look at what the government has done for exports. Finally, the Minister of Finance told us that the government would be introducing concrete measures to help Canadian companies export even more.
Why did he say that? Because, ultimately, Canada's economic growth depends directly on the export rate of Canadian products. We must realize that many of the jobs we have in Canada exist only because one company or another is exporting to other countries. It is therefore very important that we put in place measures to help these companies trade in exports. I would say that our government has taken active measures in this respect. My colleagues and myself congratulate the Minister of Finance on his action in this area.
There is also the fact that small and medium size businesses in Canada have been creating and continue to create the majority of new jobs in this country. Again, the federal government took active measures, especially regarding banks that lend money to small and medium size businesses. The government has invested some $50 million in helping small business.
I would expect my hon. friend from the opposition to congratulate the federal government. I would not expect the Bloc Quebecois to use an allotted day just to attack the Minister of Finance's initiative. The Minister of Finance wants to involve experts in the taxation reform. He wants to discuss this matter with the public.
He is looking for proposals and suggestions. This does not prevent any of our colleagues, on either side of this chamber, from telling us how they would go about revising the taxation system. Mr. Speaker, I thank you for allowing me to say a few words on this
subject and I expect that now one of my hon. friends opposite will jump to his feet to congratulate the government on a job well done, right?
Terrorism March 15th, 1996
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister has just returned from Egypt after attending an international conference on terrorism. Would the secretary of state for Africa tell the House the outcome of the conference and what steps is Canada taking to ensure that the peace process is not hijacked by terrorism?
Leader Of The Official Opposition March 15th, 1996
Mr. Speaker, although he has succeeded Lucien Bouchard on paper at least, yesterday's pitiful performance by the hon. member for Roberval shows that he does not have the makings of a party leader and that he is not worthy of that post.
In an interview with Le Soleil , the hon. member for Roberval attacks our Prime Minister with impunity and with obvious disregard for the truth, saying, and I quote: ``-that, over time, he has become an Ontarian with the Canadian mentality''.
All Quebecers and Canadians know that our Prime Minister is a true Quebecer and a proud Canadian. He represents the riding of Saint-Maurice in Quebec, and he needs no lesson in ethnic purity from the hon. member for Roberval.
If the Bloc Quebecois now considers the main residence to be a criterion for being a real Quebecer, people like Luc Plamondon, Mario Lemieux and Jacques Villeneuve do not qualify.
Petitions March 14th, 1996
Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to table a petition signed by people who are opposed to gasoline price tax increases. They were delighted by the fact that the government listened to the people and did not increase them.
The Budget March 7th, 1996
Mr. Speaker, my colleague has touched on several topics. He has spoken about the budget, and I will answer him on that, but first of all, let me reply to another point he has made. He made a comparison between Quebec and Greece, which did not want to be part of another country, whereas Quebec wants to be an independent country. This is too simplistic a comparison, because Greece has always been a country on its own, whereas Quebec has always been part of Canada.
He also drew a parallel with Taiwan, which is the same thing. Here we have an entity called Canada, in which the provinces have the right to govern themselves as they wish.
In 1867 there was the Canadian Constitution. There was an agreement delegating some responsibilities to the provincial level and others to the federal. In my opinion, our confederation is one of the world' finest. I am sure there are many countries that would gladly trade problems with Canada. We need only look at what is going on in Bosnia, Haiti, or other places where there are major problems to realize ours are relatively simple ones, readily solved if we make a concerted effort.
My colleague has indicated that the separatist groups in B.C., Quebec or other countries will one day see the light and realize they live in the best country in the world.
Now, for the budget. My colleague states that the government has not created any jobs. I would like to point out that, in 1995 alone, this government created 263,000 jobs. I would also like him to know that governments in general set an atmosphere that is favourable for private sector job creation. Finally, it is the private sector that creates jobs, not the government. Often, the government works in a partnership with the private sector in job creation, and that is precisely what this government has done. It has assigned a great deal of importance to the private sector so that it might create jobs. Among the examples of job creation I could offer my colleague, there is government investment in technology.
There are, in fact, a lot of companies involved in research and development in the area of technology, which will receive direct benefits from the government. They will become direct and indirect partners of the federal government and will create even more jobs again in Quebec and across the country.
Inflation here in Canada is fairly low. Interest rates are three points lower than they are in countries comparable to Canada. As with deficit control, all these initiatives by the federal government will help the private sector create jobs.
I do not think my colleague was being fair in saying that the government is not helping create jobs. It is indeed distressing that Petro-Canada, Bell Canada and other companies have cut their staffs. However, we must not end up setting a quota for the private sector, requiring it to create a specific number of jobs. All we can do is ask and do what we have to to enable the private sector to create jobs.
The performance of this government over the past two years has been extraordinary. It is time my colleague in the Bloc rose and congratulated the Minister of Finance, the Prime Minister and the President of Treasury Board, because their efforts have been extraordinary.
Now I would like to say a few words about provincial jurisdictions and transfers to the provinces. Once and for all the federal Liberal government has set up a program to ensure the provinces fair, balanced and long-term transfers in the areas of health, post-secondary education and social services. The provinces can finally enjoy some peace in these three areas.
I must say my colleague in the Bloc Quebecois is perfectly right in saying that a lot more has to be done in job creation, but he still must rise and congratulate the government.
Petitions March 6th, 1996
Madam Speaker, I would like to deposit a petition.
Petitions March 4th, 1996
Madam Speaker, my constituents are outraged at the fluctuation of gasoline prices moving up and down like a yo-yo on a regular basis. My constituents are calling on the government for action.
Today they have given me a petition to table on their behalf calling on the government not introduce any federal taxes on gasoline.
Business Development Bank Of Canada March 1st, 1996
Mr. Speaker, my colleagues will certainly be happy to learn that the financial help awarded by the Business Development Bank of Canada reached a record level in 1995. The loans granted by the Business Development Bank of Canada reached a total of almost one billion dollars and they helped support investments of $1.7 billion in businesses borrowing from the bank.
The loans awarded by the Business Development Bank of Canada cost nothing to taxpayers and they lead to the creation of a great number of jobs. In 1995 alone, businesses borrowing from the bank employed 188,000 persons across Canada. Here is another proof that strategies put in place by our government to support small businesses are effective.