House of Commons photoWon her last election, in 2000, with 65% of the vote.
Taxation February 27th, 2003
Mr. Speaker, I want to state clearly for the member opposite and for all Canadians who are watching that the role of the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency is to administer the Income Tax Act in Canada fairly so that it applies equally to all Canadians.
Transportation February 25th, 2003
Mr. Speaker, the only thing that was accurate in the member's question was the policy, which says that where numbers warrant based on volume. We review that from time to time to determine whether or not an airport meets that criteria.
In fact, I can tell the member opposite that we are working to reinstate wherever it is practicable. We look for other solutions such as cost recovery for those airports where the volume of flights do not yet meet the criteria that has been established because we want to provide the best, most cost effective service right across this country.
Transportation February 25th, 2003
Mr. Speaker, I am well aware of the issue that the member raises. It is true that in the post-September 11 environment small airports did have their status changed. We have been working with those airports to look at other methods, such as cost recovery, that would permit them to have international flight arrivals, but as in all things, when looking at what is possible and what budgets are available, priority is given to higher volume airports.
Goods and Services Tax February 25th, 2003
Mr. Speaker, because of the persistent questions, I went all the way back to the very beginning of the GST. I can tell the member that in 1991 when it was brought in by his friends in the corner and since that time we have collected over $500 billion. The total of GST fraud that has been clearly identified since that time is $60 million.
I told the member we had cases before the courts. I am fully prepared to go before committee and to give its members all the information they would like. Those are the facts.
Goods and Services Tax February 25th, 2003
Mr. Speaker, in fact the opposite is quite the truth. I told the member and members of the House that we were working with Treasury Board and that we would be reporting to committee in a way that would be as open, as transparent and as understandable as the committee would like.
Trade February 21st, 2003
Mr. Speaker, in the member's preamble she forgot to mention that the Prime Minister received a standing ovation from the audience in Chicago. It is because of members like her who are part of the blame Canada club that Americans have the wrong impression of the important partnership and good relationship Canada has with the United States. If she really wanted to be helpful, she might start talking about the facts.
Trade February 21st, 2003
Mr. Speaker, this issue has been raised a number of times in the House. The member opposite simply does not seem to understand that this is a proposal.
Most of the auto sector, I would tell him, is part of the free and secure trade procedures which have been established under a 30 point process. It is designed to give secure and rapid access both to Canada and the United States because that is in the interests of both countries.
We are working at the present time to increase our cooperation with the Americans, but the proposal he has mentioned has not in fact been--
Taxation February 13th, 2003
Mr. Speaker, Canada Customs and Revenue Agency has a very long record of integrity and confidentiality provisions when it comes to taxpayer information. Any information on rulings that have been requested by any taxpayer are confidential. I cannot even tell the House whether a ruling has been requested by any taxpayer.
What I can tell the member opposite, as I have previously said and I will say it again because it is extremely important, there is no political inference. As minister I do not interfere in these decisions. They are professional decisions and they apply the law.
Trade February 13th, 2003
I will tell you what I am not going to do, Mr. Speaker. I am not going to take any lectures from the member opposite.
In fact, since September 11, 2001, we all know that the world has changed and we have been working very hard on this side of the House to ensure that the border is a priority, and that it functions in a smart and effective way. There are some people who are busy reading the clips trying to send out information that we are not doing that.
However, together with our American partners we are determined, even through this difficult time and while there may be some temporary delays, to keep that border functioning as best as it can.
Trade February 13th, 2003
Mr. Speaker, as the member opposite knows there have been a number of proposals and discussions that have not yet been determined finally.
What has been determined is that the President of the United States and the Prime Minister of Canada stood together and said they were not going to allow terrorists to win by shutting down our economies. It is the their goal and ours to work together to have the smartest border possible so that the economies of both of our countries can continue to prosper.