Harold Culbert

[The Underground Economy, September 27th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to have the opportunity to make a few comments on Motion No. 382 as sponsored by the member for Mississauga

South. I congratulate my hon. colleague on this initiative first and foremost.

The issue that is the focus of this motion is of major importance to all Canadians right across the country. For many individuals and businesses the underground economy has become a convenient way to avoid paying taxes, not paying their fair share.

People who deal in the underground economy may feel their financial situation justifies their actions. It may be because it has been several years since their last pay raise. It may be because they feel the tax system is much too complex or unfair. It also may be basic greed. They see it as cheating the tax department, a victimless crime.

When these people take their financial transactions underground they are failing to make their contributions in support of Canada's social and economic programs. These people do not pay for the services they use. Instead, other Canadians are forced to pay more.

Each time someone participates in the underground economy, money to help pay for programs such as health care and education is lost. It is revenue that may never be recovered.

Whatever the reason, underground economic activity makes victims of all of us. The cost shows up in reduced essential services, higher taxes than would otherwise be the case, unfair competition and a reduced standard of living for the honest taxpayers. This is simply unfair and shortsighted.

The motion before the House suggests the government educate the public and encourage their participation in addressing the problem. I agree Canadians need to know the facts about the seriousness of the underground economy and what can be done to reduce it. I also agree governments cannot solve the problem alone. We must all do our part to fulfil these responsibilities.

The government has recognized that solutions to this problem and others now facing Canadians cannot be found in isolation. We must understand the problem and its consequences. It is for this very reason that in November of 1993 the Minister of National Revenue made education a fundamental element of his action plan to address the underground economy.

Officials of Revenue Canada have been actively consulting with individuals and associations right across Canada. These groups are taking the message of the risk of dealing in the underground economy back to their membership. Every citizen and every business has a role to play in eliminating the underground economy.

Individuals can start by refusing to deal with business and trades people who ask for cash payments. Businesses can do their part by turning down demands to work off the books.

To ensure everyone is aware the government is serious about prosecuting those who deliberately defraud the tax system, the Minister of National Revenue is publicizing convictions for tax evasion. The increased publicity has been a deterrent and has had an effect.

The number of voluntary disclosures received by the department where people come forward to voluntarily correct their tax affairs has doubled in the past year. In addition, the number of referrals received from people each year providing the department with leads on potential tax fraud has risen by some 19,000.

As members of the House are aware, Canada's tax system is based on taxpayers voluntarily filing and paying their taxes. A voluntary self-assessing system is the most effective way for a government to collect taxes owing.

A cornerstone of a sound tax system is the reality and perception that everyone pays his or her fair share. It does not ask for any more or any less, just everyone's fair share. The underground economy undermines the fairness of the tax system.

Regardless of its size there is no disputing the underground economy exists and that it exacts a toll on Canadian society from unfair competition for honest business to taxes higher than they would otherwise be for honest taxpayers, to business closures, to unemployment and to lost revenues which government uses to support Canada's social and economic agenda. It is a problem we cannot afford to ignore.

I am confident, however, that we are making progress in dealing with the underground economy and other forms of tax evasion. I applaud the hon. member for Mississauga South for his efforts to stimulate discussion on this issue. I certainly solicit the support of all members of the House to support the motion.

[Infrastructure, September 27th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, indeed it is wonderful Wednesday. My question is for the minister responsible for the infrastructure program.

I continue to receive enthusiastic reports on the infrastructure program from the mayors of municipalities throughout Carleton-Charlotte. They praise the program for its assistance in completing the many projects that have benefited their communities and citizens.

Can the minister tell the House what the second year of the infrastructure program has accomplished for Canadian municipalities and their citizens?

[The Economy, September 21st, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, over the past several weeks my Carleton-Charlotte constituents have continued to bring forth the same message for the House and for my government. The message conveys our love and our respect for our brothers and sisters in Quebec and our hope they will remain part of this country, the best country in the world in which to live.

However, my constituents also wish to inform us they want the number one priority of the government, the agenda for jobs and growth, to continue.

We have made progress but there is still a long way to go and a lot of work to be done. Continued economic growth and jobs for our children and our grandchildren are the issues of major importance to my Carleton-Charlotte constituents and to all Canadians.

I urge my government to ensure economic growth and jobs, the agenda initiated by the government, continue for the benefit of all Canadians.

[Agriculture, June 15th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food.

As the minister knows, for more than a year now the whole farm safety net program has been studied and reviewed. Can the minister tell the House, the hundreds of farmers across Carleton-Charlotte and the thousands of farmers across Canada what the status is of the study and when we can expect to see its results?

[Firearms Act, June 13th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, I listened very carefully to the comments on the bill by the hon. member across the way. The important discussion that is going on today has been going on for nearly a year now. I heard him mention the various things he has done in his area to garner input from all factions.

I would like to ask the hon. member a question from his perspective in the area he represents in Quebec. Knowing full well that Quebec has many hunters and many people who enjoy outdoor sports, especially in the wooded and northern regions of Quebec, has he received input from various groups that makes him believe the bill will impact on responsible firearms owners, owners of rifles and shotguns who are legitimate hunters in Quebec? Does he believe the legislation will impact on them, impede them or cause them any particular hardship in carrying out their sports and their competitions as target shooters as they have in the past?

[The Late Clifford Corey, June 6th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, more than a week ago we lost one of Carleton-Charlotte's most noted entrepreneurs with the passing of Mr. Clifford Corey.

For many years Mr. Corey was a distinguished leader in New Brunswick's forestry industry. He resided and established several businesses in the Southampton-Nackawic areas of my constituency. Not only was he a business leader but he was also well respected as a community leader.

The country and indeed the world need more Clifford Coreys. He was admired as a leader by family, friends and the entire community. On behalf of all members of the House I extend sincere condolences and sympathy to Mr. Corey's wife Evelyn, son David, daughters Marion and Margaret; to the entire family and their many friends.

[Fisheries, May 16th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, the alligators are restless this afternoon.

The minister's department has proposed the professionalization of the fishing industry and an increase in licensing fees. My Bay of Fundy fishers depend on a multi-licence fishery to sustain their economy. They are concerned with these proposals.

Will the minister confirm in the House today that his department will seek advice and guidance from the fishing community and industry organizations before proceeding with these initiatives?

[Fisheries, May 16th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans.

[Breast Cancer, May 9th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, I commend the hon. member for Yukon on her initiative regarding this most worthwhile matter contained in Motion No. 376.

This morning the standing committee on health discussed this very matter, not in any great depth but with seriousness due to the subject matter. It was discussed from the perspective of what was being done in research in order to overcome breast cancer. We had before the standing committee this morning Dr. Henry Friesen, who is president of the Medical Research Council of Canada. Dr. Friesen commented that there has not been a cure found for this most dreaded infliction, which has indeed touched many families right across the country.

Perhaps the work being done by the standing committee on health can act as a coordinator to assist in carrying this forward so that the information will flow in the future.

Quite obviously, suffering from any illness brings an undue burden on anyone. Compounding it with the problem of lack of information is indeed unfair and unnecessary in this day and age. The hon. member's motion would ensure that women suffering from breast cancer are provided with all the information they may need and the counselling they may require. I suggest again that in this day in age that is only humane. When suffering from any illness, information regarding all types of treatment should be readily available and accessible to all. It should certainly be the patient's right to obtain any and all information and have immediate access to the same.

It is quite obvious in this case, as in many circumstances, that to have a support group, those who may have suffered or family members who have suffered in a similar fashion, can comfort, assist and indicate what might be expected in future days, weeks, and months, and can be a tremendous comfort to anyone suffering in this case.

Quite obviously a person cannot be expected to make such an important medical decision without having weighed all those possible alternatives that may be available. We are told that Canadians have the second highest rate of breast cancer in the world. It has hit, as I have mentioned before, almost every family in Canada in recent years, and that suffering continues today, day in and day out, from this dreaded disease.

The survivor led breast cancer support group would provide sufferers with an opportunity for the needed information and the support they so often lack. There is no question that this type of support group can be most helpful through their own personal experiences. It is time to realize that we must take action to help women with breast cancer in the best possible way while we wait for that cure to be discovered.

For this reason I am very happy to support the hon. member's motion this evening and I certainly to encourage my government to adopt a platform that will ensure that women diagnosed with breast cancer are provided with the information they deserve and need. We wait and hope for our ultimate goal of discovery of a cure to eliminate this dreaded suffering so that we need not have a group nor the suffering in the future. To quote from the Medical Research Council: "It is to promote, assist, and undertake basic applied clinical research in Canada in the health sciences and to advise the minister in respect of such matters relating to such research as the minister may refer to the council for its consideration".

We are certainly hopeful that through the research council and the work done through universities and other labs and tests here in Canada a cure for this dreaded disease will be found as soon as is feasibly possible. In the meantime, we certainly encourage all in the House to support the hon. member's endeavour in this particular motion to assist those suffering and to provide the assistance and expertise of support groups at the earliest possible date.

[Youth, May 5th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, we often refer to our youth as the future of our country.

The majority of young Canadians are ambitious, intelligent, hard working and caring citizens, including the students from the Carleton North high school choir, those participating in the forum for young Canadians and the adventures and citizenship students, all of whom are visiting Parliament Hill this week.

Our youth are learning Canadian values that will enable them to grow into the leaders of tomorrow, who will protect others who are not as fortunate as they are, while providing every opportunity for those who follow them to flourish in the best possible environment.

Today I salute tomorrow's leaders, thank them for what they have done for Canada today and for what they will do in the future to ensure Canada remains a united and strong country to be envied throughout the world.