John Manley

[Health, September 26th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to make clear what was specifically promised in January in terms of the health accord.

The Government of Canada committed, and I quote, “to provide up to an additional $2.0 billion for health for the provinces and territories at the end of fiscal year 2003-04, if the Minister of Finance determines during the month of January 2004 that there will be a sufficient surplus above the normal Contingency Reserve to permit such an investment”.

That is what we committed to do and what we are going to do.

[Taxation, September 25th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, the provinces have the same power to levy taxes as the federal government. They have the same power to tax and to set priorities.

We have, with good management, eliminated the deficit. We have paid down the debt and we have cut taxes. When there was a deficit at the federal level, they did not complain about the presence of a fiscal imbalance. Both levels of government have the same ability to obtain revenues.

[Taxation, September 25th, 2003]

They voted against a tax cut that affected all Canadians.

[Taxation, September 25th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, we have had this same question a number of times here in the House, but the answer is still the same.

We cut taxes in the 2000 budget. Then, in subsequent budgets, we cut them by $100 billion over five years.

[International Cooperation, September 25th, 2003]

Unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, I did not win.

[Health, September 25th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, the answer is the same in French. This was a promise made in the accord, provided the money is available in January. We are not there yet; this is September. We are going to do exactly what we have committed to do. This is not complicated. Why is the leader of the opposition trying to confuse the public?

[Health, September 25th, 2003]

Yes, Mr. Speaker, we are giving them all of the $34.8 billion that we promised and, if they meet the conditions that are necessary, there will be more in January, but look at the table. It is only September.

[Health, September 25th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, let me read what the health accord said. The federal government committed to, and I quote:

provide up to an additional $2.0 billion for health for the provinces and territories at the end of fiscal year 2003-04, if the Minister of Finance determines during the month of January 2004 that there will be a sufficient surplus above the normal Contingency Reserve to permit such an investment.

We stand by that.

[Taxation, September 24th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, first, it should be noted that the federal and provincial governments have almost identical taxing powers. This is not about fiscal imbalance, it is about the ability to obtain revenue based on almost identical taxing powers.

We have priorities too, such as having a competitive economy and a just society. That is why we are working to build infrastructure and affordable housing.

[Taxation, September 24th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, we must remember that the power to levy municipal taxes is provincial. However, the Government of Canada certainly has an interest in ensuring quality infrastructure and access to affordable housing and public transportation.

For several years now, we have shown our desire to work in partnership with the other levels of government in these areas of great importance to Canadians.