John Manley

[Municipalities, September 24th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, the government rejects the idea that it does not have a role in addressing the concerns of Canadians, together with the other levels of government.

Infrastructure, affordable housing and other issues important to all Canadians are also important to the federal government.

[Municipalities, September 24th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, I believe reasonably that what we need here in Canada is really a partnership between the various levels of government. All taxpayers are well aware that they are the only ones paying taxes in Canada.

[Municipalities, September 24th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, we have had programs since 1994 to assist municipal governments, with the participation of the provinces, the Province of Quebec included.

For example, we introduced the infrastructure program, which has worked very well. I believe it had municipal acceptance, and that it helps them achieve their priorities. There was active participation by the provincial governments as well.

[Voyageur Colonial Pension Fund, September 17th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, OSFI operates on an independent basis. It has done so and will continue to do so. It is independent from the government and it conducts its investigations based on information which is readily available and accessible to them.

[Voyageur Colonial Pension Fund, September 17th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, I am a little surprised that the hon. member is showing so much interest in pensions. I thought she had put that behind her.

The integrity of federally regulated pensions are the responsibility of an independent federal agent in the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions. In this case, OSFI conducted itself in the appropriate fashion to do its utmost in order to protect the integrity of that fund.

[Voyageur Colonial Pension Fund, September 17th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions is independent with respect to the evaluation and the functioning of the fund, as well as with respect to any action, corrective or otherwise, that needs to be taken with respect to the fund.

I think that the hon. member has done nothing, nor has his colleague, except to try to cast aspersions based on nothing, all sound and fury, signifying nothing.

[Voyageur Colonial Pension Fund, September 17th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, in the normal practice what happens is that the minister's office is informed where there is an issue that is arising with respect to a fund. Obviously it is not in the minister's purview to involve himself in the evaluation of a fund or in the steps that should be required by the Superintendent of Financial Institutions in order to rectify any problems that exist in a fund.

If there are other questions, they may wish to raise them with OSFI directly.

[Employment Insurance, September 17th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, I have nothing to add. We have reduced employment insurance premiums each year since 1993. Now, for the coming year, we can say that revenues will be approximately equal to expenditures.

[Employment Insurance, September 17th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member knows full well that in this year's budget we have again reduced employment insurance premiums and will do so again next year, as announced. With these reductions, the revenues for the EI fund will be very nearly equal to the program's expenditures. That will continue with a balanced budget.

[Gasoline Tax, September 17th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, I fail to understand why the hon. member does not get it. A $100 billion cut over five years applies to everyone. It benefits all taxpayers. This is the most significant tax cut in the history of this country. So, everyone benefits from this tax cut.