House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 1993, with 53% of the vote.
Points Of Order December 1st, 1995
Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order with regard to the amendments relative to the distinct society motion. I am not pressing you for a timetable, but I was wondering if you could indicate to us whether you have a time line as to when you will be advising the House with regard to your ruling.
Unemployment Insurance December 1st, 1995
Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Human Resources Development has promised that through the UI proposals there will be job opportunity and job growth. But if you really look at it, what is the record that is before us?
First of all, there is really nothing in there that is going to break the cycle of dependency. There is going to be nothing there for those 44,000 Canadians who just lost their jobs. There is going to be nothing there for the young people who are looking for jobs at the present time. There is a lot of politics, but not good, substantial policy.
My question to the hon. parliamentary secretary is as follows. After a year and a half of dithering and political manoeuvring here and top down tinkering and made in Ottawa solutions, what is the government really going to do through this policy to reduce the number of unemployed in this country?
Unemployment Insurance December 1st, 1995
Mr. Speaker, those objectives are certainly noble, but the fact of the matter is that job growth has not occurred. When we saw the minister preparing his proposal, in the last few days he has been making political manipulation and changes instead of looking at sound policy.
If the minister is really serious about creating jobs and improving job opportunities in the country, why did he not slash the payroll taxes by more than the token five cents that was announced informally yesterday? My question is clear. The Minister of Finance has said in the House more than once that payroll taxes kill jobs. If that is true, why did the Minister of Human Resources Development not announce a slash greater than five cents?
Unemployment Insurance December 1st, 1995
Mr. Speaker, after a year and a half of delays, flying trial balloons, and countless rewrites, the Minister of Human Resources Development is finally bringing down his watered down UI reform proposals. He has even promised job opportunities and more jobs. Unfortunately while he has been playing politics a very alarming circumstance has occurred. Statistics Canada reports that last month the number of working Canadians fell by 44,000. That is five months of job growth down the drain. I wonder what is happening here.
My question to the minister is as follows. What if anything are the minister's UI proposals doing to stimulate job growth in the private sector?
The Economy December 1st, 1995
Mr. Speaker, once again the federal government is the last to catch the winds of change.
Canadians from coast to coast are calling for the government to deal with the issues that are truly important. At the top of the list in every region of the country are balanced budgets and tax relief.
The provincial governments are answering the call. Nine have balanced their budgets or plan to do so. A number have developed debt repayment schedules just as Canadian families would pay off a mortgage. By doing so these governments are also putting themselves in a position to offer tax relief in the near future.
The message is clear. Canadians are now holding their elected officials to higher fiscal standards than ever before and the litmus test they are applying is a balanced budget plan. It is telling that there are only two governments in all Canada which fail this test: the separatist government in Quebec and the Liberal government in Ottawa.
The Deficit November 30th, 1995
Mr. Speaker, if the targets are easy to reach, anybody can do it. The real litmus test of financial or fiscal responsibility is a balanced budget plan and a budget plan that can be reached. In Canada there are only two governments that do not have a plan: the separatists in Quebec and the Liberal government here in Ottawa.
Is the finance minister, according to the answer that was just given, telling Canadians that when he tables his budget in the spring there still will not be a balanced budget plan?
The Deficit November 30th, 1995
Mr. Speaker, the provinces are leading the federal government again. Yesterday Ontario announced a balanced budget plan. Nine out of 10 provinces have a balanced budget plan in place.
My question is for the Minister of Finance. When will this government announce to Canadians a balanced budget plan?
Recognition Of Quebec As A Distinct Society November 29th, 1995
Mr. Speaker, we have considered the matter and feel that we should use the regular order of speaking with regard to the resolution. If the government wishes to give up two of its slots as time goes on that is its business. We believe we should follow the regular order of speaking and not change the order of business.
Points Of Order November 23rd, 1995
Could the hon. House leader of the government indicate whether there is going to be any consideration with regard to legislation on unemployment insurance on the list he gave today?
Points Of Order November 23rd, 1995
On a point of order, I have a question for the House leader of the government with regard to potential legislation coming before the House.