Mr. Speaker, we have already explained to the House that there is a procedure. Investigations have been carried out by the RCMP and are still ongoing. Everyone who is found responsible for illegal activities will be dealt with under the law.
House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2000, with 51% of the vote.
Government Contracts September 29th, 2003
Mr. Speaker, we have already explained to the House that there is a procedure. Investigations have been carried out by the RCMP and are still ongoing. Everyone who is found responsible for illegal activities will be dealt with under the law.
Health September 29th, 2003
Mr. Speaker, if he is so confused, I do not know but perhaps we can try to help him out outside the House. However I can tell him that with the main and supplementary estimates that have been tabled so far, in fact our spending is about $5 billion below that estimated at the time of the budget in February.
Of course we have not completed the year and there will be other supplementary estimates. In fact we are doing quite well in terms of following our fiscal plan and meeting the targets that we have set.
The $34.8 billion that we promised in additional health care funding is on its way.
Health September 29th, 2003
Mr. Speaker, I guess the member's amorous mood of last week has worn off. I even said I liked him last week. It got lost in the orchard or something on the way here.
Neither of the statements are true. First of all, we are not reneging on any promise that we made. We are fulfilling our promise to the letter.
Second, the estimates did not disclose a $5 billion excess. In fact, we are below the amounts estimated in the budget for spending this year.
Taxation September 26th, 2003
Mr. Speaker, as was the case with the first infrastructure program in 1994, if other levels of government do not want to take money from the federal government, they do not have to.
But we have already dedicated $7 billion, over three budgets, to fund municipal and strategic infrastructure in Canada; I think that all municipalities and all provinces were very happy to cooperate with the federal government on infrastructure.
Taxation September 26th, 2003
Mr. Speaker, as has been said in this House over the past few days, Canadians are concerned not only about the quality of infrastructure in Canada, but also about affordable housing. In Canada, the federal government has long been responsible for this.
The government has been doing this since 1994. We will be able to continue with these partnerships with all levels of government.
Taxation September 26th, 2003
Mr. Speaker, I think it is pretty clear. There is one government at a time.
We have made clear, in our last budget, our commitment to Canada's municipalities with a further $3 billion commitment to infrastructure. Whether we calculate that on the basis of a percentage of existing revenues from a particular source, a dedicated amount of fuel tax, or whether we simply set it out as a sum that can be relied upon by the municipalities, the result is pretty much the same thing.
The result is a better opportunity for Canadian municipalities to rely on revenue in the future so that they can meet their infrastructure requirements.
Taxation September 26th, 2003
Mr. Speaker, I would like to resist the temptation to comment on the amorous condition of the member for Medicine Hat. I do hope he stays on his side of the aisle though. However, I like him too.
What is important in discussing the plight of cities in Canada is the issue that has been repeatedly raised by them and by provincial governments as well, and that is the predictability of revenue resources for municipalities. We have tried to address that over the last three budgets with $7 billion of support--
Health September 26th, 2003
Mr. Speaker, we made a promise and we are going to keep it. It is still on the table. Today is September 26. It is not January. We will see in January how much of a surplus we have.
If possible, we will give the provinces money. But first, promises must be kept on both sides.
Health September 26th, 2003
Mr. Speaker, did the member not listen to the answer? Does he not exactly understand the promise that was made? We committed to do exactly what was promised in the health accord in January.
We have improved the debt situation. We are no longer the worst country in the G-7, even though we are still not the best. The debt is a major burden for future generations and we have to continue making progress in this area as well.
Health September 26th, 2003
Mr. Speaker, that is a switch. The Bloc Quebecois always complained that the surpluses were too high. Now, it is noticing that they are lower, but keeps asking for money just the same.
The greatest threat to our health care system, in my view, is the current debt load. We must therefore, with the help of the population, make an effort to reduce the debt so that future generations can afford a health care system.