House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 1997, with 54% of the vote.
Taxation March 5th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, we have reviewed the agencies, boards and commissions. In that process we abolished hundreds and hundreds of positions. We amalgamated or got rid of up to 70 of these agencies, boards and commissions.
In the process we saved the government a lot of money. All these decisions were done in the interest of Canadian taxpayers.
Federal Employees' Pension Fund March 3rd, 1999
Mr. Speaker, once again, I must repeat that the public service pension plan is a legislated fund and thus differs legally from a private sector pension plan.
All the risks associated with the public service pension plan are assumed by the government. When there is a deficit, the government picks up the whole tab. Through legislation, the government has guaranteed the benefits of employees receiving pensions. These pensions are guaranteed by the government.
Pensions March 3rd, 1999
Mr. Speaker, as I have said on numerous occasions, but will say again, the government pension plan is covered by legislation, and public sector employees have their pension plan benefits guaranteed by law.
All the risks are assumed by the government, and hence by the taxpayers. Every time there has been a deficit in the public service pension plan, the government has made it up. For example, when the plan was indexed, there was an $8 billion deficit and the government was the one that made it up. The surplus therefore belongs to the taxpayers.
Pensions March 3rd, 1999
Mr. Speaker, as my colleague should understand, because I have said it a number of times and I will say it again, public sector pension plans are legislated that the outcome, which is the payout to employees, is guaranteed by law.
In the past when there were deficits, for instance when the plan was indexed and the liabilities suddenly increased by close to $8 billion, it was the government and the taxpayers who paid for it. Because it is a legislated plan and a guaranteed outcome, every cent of that surplus belongs to taxpayers.
The Main Estimates March 2nd, 1999
Mr. Speaker, I have the feeling my hon. colleague misunderstands the purpose of the estimates.
What the estimates indicate is what the money is being spent on and in this case the increases that have taken place, the increases that are in the budget, the increases which they can look at and vote on, are all increases that benefit Canadians. Whether they are equalization payments or health transfers, they are for the benefit of Canadians.
My colleague is nitpicking. The really important expenditures he seems to forget or not know about.
The Main Estimates March 2nd, 1999
Mr. Speaker, the main reasons for the increases are $800 million for employment insurance benefits, $900 million for the Canada health and social transfer and $800 million for equalization payments.
These are the increases that we are putting into the budget this year in the estimates. They are there to serve the needs of Canadians.
1999-2000 Main Estimates March 1st, 1999
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 81(4) and to Standing Order 81(6), I wish to introduce a motion concerning referral of the Main Estimates to the standing committees of the House.
Therefore, I move:
That the Main Estimates for 1999-2000, laid upon the Table earlier today, be referred to the several Standing Committees of the House as follows:
Since 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 at this point without being read.
Transfer Payments February 18th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, it is clear that Quebec is still receiving a larger share of federal transfer payments than the other provinces.
I would like the Bloc Quebecois and Parti Quebecois members to admit this.
In the budget just brought down by the Minister of Finance, if all federal transfer payments—health and equalization—are combined, it will be seen that Quebec is still receiving 29% of all federal government transfers. This has been the case for 20 years and it will continue to be the case as long as Quebec needs this assistance.
Federal Employees' Pension Fund February 16th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, again, I think it is very clear. It is a legislated fund, with the government guaranteeing to pay pensions.
Employees pay a set proportion. It was 7.5%. The government paid any deficits that arose and any additional amounts in the fund therefore belong to taxpayers.
Federal Employees' Pension Fund February 16th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, the pension fund is a legislated fund. It is important that my hon. colleague understand this.
The government guarantees that public servants will receive their pension whatever the state of the economy.
When pensions were indexed, it cost the government close to an extra $10 billion, a bill it footed alone. The government did this because what it guarantees are pensions and it is therefore clear—and once again, this is borne out by lawyers, actuaries, the auditor general, and every other authority—that the surplus in the fund belongs to the government.