You are avoiding the question. You do not have the courage to answer the question.
Lost his last election, in 1997, with 33% of the vote.
Canada Transportation Act March 26th, 1996
You are avoiding the question. You do not have the courage to answer the question.
Canada Transportation Act March 26th, 1996
You will have zero impact. You will be a big zero.
Petitions March 20th, 1996
Madam Speaker, I have a petition pursuant to Standing Order 36 to present from my constituents in the Kerrobert community and Luseland area. It was circulated prior to the budget.
It calls on the federal government to recognize that Canadians are paying approximately 52 per cent of the cost of a litre of gasoline at the pumps in the form of government taxes. The petitioners do not want to see an increase in taxes in the federal budget because of this high tax. I am happy to present this petition on behalf of my constituents.
Byelections March 20th, 1996
Your nose is getting longer.
Supply March 19th, 1996
Mr. Speaker, I have a question for the member for Calgary Centre, who now wears a political hat but who used to wear a business hat before being elected to the House.
We are hearing a message from the Bloc Quebecois in its resolution today under this supply day motion that businesses need to be taxed more severely.
From the government we are hearing a message that businesses need to be taxed at least at existing levels and perhaps taxed higher, and that they should be required to provide more jobs in the Canadian economy.
I ask the member to take off his political hat and put his business hat back on and say how he as a business person would respond to the suggestion by the Bloc that taxes on businesses be increased. I would also like his comments on the challenge from the government to pay high taxes and go out and create a bunch of jobs at the same time.
Canadian Wheat Board March 13th, 1996
Mr. Speaker, it is interesting that the minister mentions the audit. Deloitte & Touche does the audit. Deloitte & Touche has done an independent review of the Canadian Wheat Board. I managed to get hold of a copy.
It states there are deficiencies in the operations, management structure and accountability to grain farmers of the Canadian Wheat Board. It said its annual operational plans generally do not exist and budgeting or forecasting of expenses does not exist. These are a few of the problems mentioned in the report.
If the minister is so open and wants to co-operate in the process, why has he kept the report a secret from the public? Can the minister tell concerned grain farmers what the wheat board has done to address the serious deficiencies stated in the Deloitte & Touche study?
Canadian Wheat Board March 13th, 1996
Mr. Speaker, a growing number of prairie grain farmers want the Canadian Wheat Board to be made more accountable and transparent. This means the wheat board must be made to open its books.
It is amazing that the Canadian Wheat Board remains exempt from the scrutiny of the auditor general and so is closed to Canadian farmers and the public.
When will the minister of agriculture open the books of the Canadian Wheat Board and make it financially accountable to farmers by having the auditor general do an audit of the board?
Privilege March 12th, 1996
Mr. Speaker, a point of order. I would like clarification from the Chair that this is questions and comments.
Privilege March 12th, 1996
To desert.
Petitions March 8th, 1996
Third, Mr. Speaker, I have a petition that perhaps is a bit late but which may be appropriate for next year as well. It was anticipating the budget which was read a few days ago, prior to my being able to table this.
The petitioners are also from my riding, in the Kindersley-Coleville area as well as Brock and Biggar. They are telling the federal government they are paying approximately 52 per cent of the cost of a litre of gasoline to the government in the form of taxes. Last year the tax was increased by 1.5 cents per litre in the federal budget. They are hearing rumours that it may be increased by 2 cents per litre.
The petitioners also say that in the past 10 years the excise tax on gasoline has increased by 566 per cent and they do not want any more tax increases on gas in this budget or, I presume, in future budgets.
I am glad to present these petitions on behalf of my constituents.