House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2000, with 71% of the vote.
Pensions March 3rd, 1995
Mr. Speaker, it has been said many times in the House why the Pearson deal and others were changed. It was a bad deal for taxpayers.
What is a good deal and a show of leadership is when the members of the House cut their compensation packages. That is what has happened in the case of MPs' pensions.
Pensions March 3rd, 1995
Mr. Speaker, it is funny that members of the third party talk about
stuffing mattresses. They do not say anything about double dipping, even though a few of them understand it quite well.
The cuts we announced in the budget of 19 per cent over the next three years are very substantial cuts. In one year, we cut the MP contribution by 33 per cent. On top of that, salaries of members of Parliament have been frozen for six years. Therefore the compensation package overall for members of Parliament has been going down.
It has been going down to help meet our deficit reduction targets, to help get our fiscal house in order.
The Budget March 2nd, 1995
Mr. Speaker, the short answer is yes. We value our employees, the ones who will be leaving and the ones who will be remaining.
We certainly want to provide those who are leaving every opportunity to adjust back into the community. There will be early retirement provisions and early departure incentives that involve training and counselling. A wide range of services will be available to them which will help in terms of the adjustment.
They have been hard, dedicated workers for the people of this country. We want to make sure that we treat them fairly and reasonably.
Treasury Board March 2nd, 1995
Mr. Speaker, I do not know from where the hon. member gets those figures. There is no increase in the staff at Treasury Board.
In fact there is a reduction as there is in all departments as part of the overall plan to get the deficit of the country down. That has been part of the government's program as announced by the Minister of Finance.
Treasury Board March 2nd, 1995
Mr. Speaker, I would be happy to look into the specifics of the matter the hon. member mentions.
Let me tell you, Mr. Speaker, that overall the executive ranks in the public service have been reduced over the last four years by some 26 per cent.
As the Minister of Finance announced the other day, in our budget expenditure plan over the next three years there is a reduction of some 19 per cent in government spending. As part of the reduction in staff there will be proportional representation at the different levels: executive, middle management and frontline workers. The executive level will be part and parcel of the government's overall plan of reduction.
Supplementary Estimates (D), 1994-95 March 2nd, 1995
Madam Speaker, I wish to move:
That supplementary estimates (D) for the fiscal year ending March 31, 1995, laid upon the table this day, be referred to several standing committees of the House in accordance with the detailed allocation that is attached.
Supplementary Estimates (D), 1994-95 March 2nd, 1995
Madam Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 81(5) and 81(6), I wish to introduce a motion concerning the referral of the estimates to the standing committees of the House.
There is a lengthy list associated with the motion. If it is agreeable to the House I would ask that the list be printed in Hansard as if it had been read.
The Budget March 1st, 1995
Mr. Speaker, the program on infrastructure is being extended from a three-year to a five-year period. This comes about as a result of two things: first, many municipalities with major projects have asked for extra construction time to be able to complete their projects and, second, the fiscal needs of the Minister of Finance as announced in the budget.
I am pleased to say that this coming construction season will be the biggest by far in terms of the infrastructure program. Sixty per cent of all the funds under the program will be allocated within the two years. The $2 billion from the federal level and the $6 billion in total will stay intact over that five-year period of time. It will lead to even more jobs than we had predicted: over 100,000.
The Budget February 28th, 1995
Mr. Speaker, I believe the Senate line in the main estimates shows a $1,000 increase.
I understand that the members of the other house are still looking at possible cuts, as has the House of Commons. The chief government whip announced just last week that cuts are being made in the budget of the House of Commons. Not to mention that yesterday in the budget the Minister of Finance announced 19 per cent cuts over three years. These are the most massive cuts which have been made in government expenditure in modern times. In addition to that 19 per cent, a 33 per cent reduction in the MPs pension plan has been made in one year.
Main Estimates, 1995-96 February 28th, 1995
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Orders 81(4) and 81(6), I move:
That the main estimates for the fiscal year ending March 31, 1996 laid upon the table on February 28, 1995 be referred to the several standing committees of the House as follows:
Since the list is rather lengthy, I would ask that it be printed in Hansard at this point without being read.