John Manley

[Health, February 5th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, I think we share common objectives with the provinces in respect of health care, and that is to produce a system that meets ever better the needs of Canadians. That includes important issues that we have raised in the draft accord which the first ministers are discussing at the present time.

I do not think it is a question of who is accountable to whom. I think it is a question of the services being available to Canadians and that governments need to be accountable to Canadians.

[Foreign Affairs, February 5th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, I think it is clear that any decision taken by the government to engage Canadian troops and put them in harm's way in a situation of conflict is a serious matter. If the House lacked confidence in the government, then that evidence would be quite rapidly forthcoming. It would be a crucial decision on which the House's confidence would be needed.

[Health, February 5th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, I do not think it is complicated to say that we would want to indicate how much was being increased on an annual basis in transfers to the provinces, and that includes increases that had been previously promised. That of course will be expended by provinces, we would hope, on health care, together with additional funds that we will make available. That to me is entirely sensible.

[Gasoline Tax, January 29th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, I know that the provinces really like the tax points, but sometimes, they forget about them. They really like them because they want us to impose the taxes and then let them spend the money.

As far as I am concerned, the Quebec minister of finance is capable of imposing a tax if he so wishes.

[Gasoline Tax, January 29th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, eliminating the deficit is a terrific achievement for us. We are now in a position to reduce taxes, not only for drivers, but for all Canadian taxpayers. As a result, we have cut taxes by $100 billion over five years.

[Canada Pension Plan, January 28th, 2003]

moved that the bill be concurred in at report stage.

[Ethanol Industry, January 28th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, the member has been a champion of the ethanol industry since he arrived here. It is no coincidence that his riding is the home of Canada's largest producer of ethanol, Commercial Alcohols.

As we prepare for the upcoming budget, the member will know that we have put a lot of our emphasis on alternative energy sources over the last several years. I will be working very closely with my colleagues in order to ensure that we continue to find alternative energy sources to help us achieve our Kyoto target.

[National Security, January 28th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member will know that there are a variety of charges that apply in the shipping industry. In the case of the air transportation security charge, the member also knows that we have released a consultation document. I hope that with some changes that are coming we will be able to see a reduction in that charge.

[Budget Surplus, January 27th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, I think the hon. member will know that over the last number of budgets what has been done in order to improve the situation for families is not only to introduce but then gradually and significantly to increase the amount that goes to families under the national child tax benefit. This has been good social policy. It has removed hundreds of thousands of children off the poverty line. In fact what we see is an improvement in the tax situation of families.

[Budget Surplus, January 27th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, I think the hon. member is referring to the Conference Board forecast. I would point out to him that it was done on a full accrual basis and not on the modified accrual basis that our October statement was done on. If we make those adjustments, we will find that its estimate was not that far off the estimate in October. It does not create a huge additional amount.

The member knows we have set aside funds for contingencies and a contingency reserve as well as prudent forecasts. He knows that the $100 billion tax reduction is still being implemented.