John Manley

[Airline Industry, April 10th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, of course we are concerned with the industry and the situation in the industry. I think the hon. member knows that it is not only this industry that pays some of those taxes, excise taxes on fuel for example, nor can we respond with broad tax changes simply because one company finds itself in financial difficulty.

I think the member would know that it would cause a difficult precedent in a whole series of industries. However I can assure him that we continue to look at the charges that are levied in this as well as in other sectors.

[Tourist Industry, April 10th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, he makes the very point that I am trying to make.

Some people have said some things that have been regretted and have apologized. Why repeat them? That is what those members have been doing. They think there is some reason for them to go to the United States and report things to the Americans to make them angry at us. Why? Do they think they will vote against our government, or will they stay home during the Stratford Festival? If they would show a little discipline we would be building a new and better relationship.

[Tourist Industry, April 10th, 2003]

No, Mr. Speaker, they do not want to hear the answer. They do not want to hear about their leader and their foreign affairs critic sending letters to the Wall Street Journal. When will they understand that when we go abroad we speak with one voice.

[Tourist Industry, April 10th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, I am astounded to hear this from a member of a party whose leader went on Fox television to repeat some of these things that we have all said we regret. I am astounded to hear it from a member of a party whose foreign affairs critic decided to write a letter--

[Finance, April 10th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, I am not aware of the issue. I will be happy to look into it as requested by the member.

[Steel Industry, April 10th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, perhaps now we all can see why it is so complicated. Unfortunately, the tribunal determined that the problem was with all imports, even those from the U.S. Thus, in order to do exactly as the tribunal asked, and what the industry has asked for, we must exclude the United States. That is based on a determination in Canada that is entirely different from the one in the United States, and it could cause us problems with the WTO.

[Steel Industry, April 10th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, since the report was received, we have been working closely with the companies and with the steel industry. It must be understood that the industry is opposed to imposing a tariff on imports from the United States. That could create a problem with the WTO, as we have seen this week regarding the tariffs imposed by the United States. Therefore, we must certainly find a way to solve this problem, but we must consider the tribunal's decision and the options available to us.

[Steel Industry, April 9th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, we have taken time to consult with the industry very extensively on this matter. Quite frankly, we have tried to develop a common position that we could take forward. It is important to note that the U.S., in taking this action, has in fact lost an action before the WTO. We need to take into account international trade rules in deciding what steps we will take.

[Airline Industry, April 9th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, as members are well aware, we have already announced in this year's budget a reduction in the air security tax. While it is always necessary to consider the structure of our tax systems, I do not think that the situation of one specific corporation should determine our tax system.

[Taxation, April 8th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, many submissions have been received on this, including those from companies that believe this is an appropriate provision to exempt tax paid surplus that is earned in a foreign affiliate located in a treaty country from being further taxed when its returned to Canada.

I think, rather than personalizing his views, the hon. member might want to take the time to look at the tax policy behind it and then give us his considered opinion whether the changes he is advocating ought to be made.