Colin Carrie

[Science and Technology, March 7th, 2008]

Mr. Speaker, like I said, what we killed was that Liberal position, a Liberal position that was underfunded and understaffed, without a clear mandate, without a job description, and with a huge expense account.

This gives me the opportunity to talk about what we have replaced it with. We replaced it with STIC, the Science, Technology and Innovation Council, chaired by Dr. Howard Alper, a well-known scientist. By the way, it has a clear mandate and a clear description. It has public reporting.

I want to thank that Liberal member for allowing our budget to pass and our science and technology strategy to go through. I really do appreciate his support and so do Canadians.

[Science and Technology, March 7th, 2008]

Mr. Speaker, we actually found out a lot yesterday. According to Dr. Carty, the former Liberal government concocted a science adviser, a position that was underfunded and understaffed, without a clear mandate, without a job description, with a huge expense account, without a reporting structure, without results, and without access to the cabinet and the Prime Minister.

It sounds like the Liberals are still disconnected from ordinary Canadians. This is another example of Liberal misspending and mismanagement. We feel that science and technology is so important that we replaced the Liberal position. We created a position with--

[March 6th, 2008]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member and his party for allowing our budget to pass. This proves to Canadians that the Liberal Party believes that we, at this difficult time, are the best to manage the finances of our country.

Let me be clear. This government, unlike its predecessor, recognizes the importance of our manufacturing industries, including the auto sector, to our country. Since we came to government, we have continually introduced initiatives that help our industries compete. At a time when others sat around and watched, we took action.

Our response to the report of the House's industry committee on manufacturing was comprehensive and overwhelmingly positive.

We set out to develop a long term economic plan that would give an advantage to our businesses and create jobs. In fact, last year in Ontario alone nearly 100,000 new jobs were added to the economy, offsetting the 37,000 jobs lost in manufacturing. These are mostly full time, high paying jobs.

We introduced incentives for manufacturers so they could innovate and improve their productivity. Budget 2008 introduced a number of important initiative to benefit manufacturers. Total tax relief—

[March 6th, 2008]

Mr. Speaker, it is just now that the hon. member for Brant remarked that manufacturers are facing difficulties. It is as though this is a new reality for members opposite, yet workers have been losing jobs in manufacturing since 2002. It is sad that manufacturers, their workers, their families and their communities that depend on them have to pay dearly for the lack of leadership in the previous government.

Why did the previous government not take action when it became clear that our manufacturing industries were facing a perfect storm? With over two million Canadians directly employed in such a cornerstone component of our economy, one is left to wonder.

I want to bring forward some of the comments he made in his speech.

He did not do his homework. If he did, he would know that almost 18,000 new manufacturing jobs were created this past January. Last year wages in Canada grew. He says that in service jobs and the jobs created, the low paying jobs, overall wages grew 4%. Unemployment overall is at a forty year low. Unemployment in Canada is 6.1% and in manufacturing, the sector that he talks about, it is 5.9%. We are really getting things turned around.

Fortunately, Canadians decided for a change, for action, for leadership last year. That is why this government immediately set out to introduce measures that would benefit the manufacturing industries.

Our first budget was described by the industry as the best budget for manufacturers and exporters in five years. By the way, the member voted against it. We introduced 29 tax cuts, including eliminating the capital tax, reducing corporate and small business tax rates and confirming the elimination of the corporate surtax. We also took steps to improve productivity through investments in innovation and skills training.

We followed up November 2006 with “Advantage Canada”, a long term plan to make Canada a world economic leader. This plan announced the Government of Canada's strategic economic priorities for ensuring that businesses, including manufacturers, would benefit from advantages of competitive taxes, a sound fiscal environment, broad-based entrepreneurial opportunities, extensive knowledge resources and a modern infrastructure.

In March 2007 we introduced a budget that created a shift in attitude toward the manufacturing sector not seen in a decade. Budget 2007 introduced a new temporary investment incentive for manufacturing and processing businesses at a cost of $1.3 billion, permitting businesses to write off 100% of their investments in machinery and equipment over the next two years.

In budget 2008 we are enhancing this measure, allowing manufacturers to benefit from an additional $1 billion in support.

We committed to cutting red tape for businesses, in particular small and medium sized businesses, and we are delivering. The government took another important step in October 2007 to eliminate 80,000 requirements and obligations in 13 key regulatory departments and agencies.

We also announced the details of a $33 billion building Canada plan to modernize our infrastructure, which includes at least $400 million for the new Windsor-Detroit crossing.

Innovation is an important driver to improve productivity, and business, research and development is a pillar of innovation. This is why the government introduced a new science and technology strategy that will benefit industry. In budget 2008 we have proposed improvements to the scientific research and experimental development tax incentive program, based on the consultation we launched last year, as well as $34 million per year for collaborative research that contributes to the knowledge and innovation needs of the automotive and manufacturing sectors, among other sectors.

With budget 2008, we are providing over $9 billion in tax relief to manufacturers over the period of 2006-07 to 2012-13.

Our tax reduction initiatives will give Canada the lowest overall tax rate on new business investment in the group of seven, the G-7, by 2010, and the lowest statutory tax rate in the G-7 by 2012.

In January we unveiled the community development trust aid package of over $1 billion. We—

[March 4th, 2008]

Mr. Speaker, the Canadian economy is rock solid, even while other economies are experiencing uncertainty.

Unemployment is the lowest in 33 years. Last year, Ontario added nearly 82,000 new jobs to its economy, largely compensating for the 64,000 jobs lost in manufacturing. Our economy continues to grow at a solid pace, 2.7% in 2007, and is expected to be ahead of the G-7 in 2008. Private sector forecasters expect continued solid growth for Canada.

We want Canada's manufacturing sector to enjoy this economic expansion, to make the investments that will help it compete for the long term and we want it to benefit from a knowledge workforce. That is why this government is taking steps and using the steps it already has in place to support the manufacturing sector. This is a sector that will provide jobs and prosperity for many years to come.

[March 4th, 2008]

Mr. Speaker, the Canadian economy is strong and investments in machinery and equipment are up. Unemployment across Canada is at record levels, salary and hourly wages are increasing and manufacturing unemployment is actually below the general unemployment levels across the country.

Both the hon. member and I agree that manufacturers are facing some challenges. However, we seem to disagree on how the government should be involved.

The results are speaking for themselves. Every measure the Conservative government has brought to the House, with the exception of one, the NDP has voted against. The member has sold out his constituents for the agenda of some radical interest groups that would prefer to see the Government of Canada attempt to spend the U.S. out of a potential recession and Canada back into deficit. We cannot go there.

Last year, the Standing Commission on Industry, Science and Technology tabled 22 recommendations and we have responded positively to all of them.

When it came time to act, this government provided in budget 2007, a budget that received overwhelming positive responses from the industry. However, when it came to a vote in the House, that member and his radical ideological party stood and voted against every measure and the recommendations of his industry critic.

Here is the short list of what the government has delivered. We cut corporate taxes. These were broad-based tax reductions resulting in $9 billion in tax relief. By 2010, Canada will have the lowest overall tax rate on new business. We are proposing to extend the temporary accelerated capital cost allowance for machinery and equipment. We did that for an additional three years, which is an additional $1 billion in tax relief.

Last January, we allocated $1 billion for the community development trust to support hard hit workers. We are injecting $90 million to extend the targeted initiative for older workers to 2012 to help older workers stay in the workforce. We are making the biggest investments in infrastructure in half a century of $33 billion.

We are also cutting red tape and reducing the paper burden so businesses can spend time being productive and less time filling out forms. We are supporting research and development.

This government has moved well beyond the need for assessing a strategy. We are taking real action for the people of Canada.

[The Budget, March 4th, 2008]

Mr. Speaker, before the budget, this government took a proactive approach. If the hon. member remembers, in this House we talked about the $1 billion community trust fund, which the government initiated before the budget because it was needed for the manufacturing and the forestry sectors, especially for one-industry towns.

To talk about Quebec, right now I believe it has one of its lowest unemployment rates in over 30 years. This government understands that it is important to support different sectors. That is one of the reasons we have what is called SADI, the strategic aerospace and defence initiative, which puts aside $900 million for the aerospace industry. If the hon. member would look at the statistics, he would see that the aerospace industry in Quebec is doing wonderfully.

Over the next few years, this government will be giving record amounts of tax cuts, putting more money into businesses. As for lowering corporate taxes, what the hon. member does not realize is that it is going to create more jobs for the people of Quebec and more jobs for the people of Canada.

[The Budget, March 4th, 2008]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for allowing me to answer this question, because it proves that the members of the NDP do not even read or pay attention to the budgets that have been passed or that they have voted against.

In the current budget there is over $500 million for new transit money. That is right in the budget. Before the budget was even out, the members of the NDP said they would vote against it. If they had paid attention, they would know that this year, because of fixing the fiscal imbalance, Ontario alone is getting $2.7 billion more in federal money to work with its infrastructure needs.

If the hon. member were paying attention, she would know that the government committed $33.1 billion over seven years, which is the largest investment in infrastructure since the second world war. We are going to be able to leverage that with our provincial partners and with municipalities up to over $100 billion in new infrastructure.

The hon. member talked about corporate tax cuts. What she did not realize, when she was not listening to my speech, is that there is over $200 billion in tax relief, of which $140 billion goes directly to individuals. She does have to read things before she votes against them.

[The Budget, March 4th, 2008]

Mr. Speaker, budget 2008 will also make the gas tax a permanent measure to help municipalities finance their long term infrastructure needs. Oshawa is receiving approximately $11 million and with this measure, the residents of Oshawa are now assured that money will flow directly to the city.

These are just some examples of our Conservative government delivering for Oshawa residents. This is a breath of fresh air for my constituents who have gotten so used to being ignored by previous Liberal governments.

Unlike the Liberals, we believe Canadians pay too much tax. We understand that high taxes are not good for families, businesses or the long term national interest. That is why, through budget 2008 and previous budgets, we are delivering historic tax relief that will leave more money in Canadians' pockets.

We also do not want to saddle future generations, our own children, with debt. We have already reduced Canada's debt by over $37 billion to bring the national debt to its lowest level in 25 years. Canadian taxpayers have paid for Liberal inaction with scandals and boondoggles, and I know the people of Oshawa will not go back to that.

In conclusion, budget 2008 is balanced, focused and prudent, and it delivers for all Canadians, including my constituents of Oshawa.

I want to especially thank the Liberal Party for supporting the Conservative government's third balance budget. Its support proves that it believes that this is a Conservative government that is best equipped to lead Canada through these uncertain times. I thank the Liberal Party for allowing this budget to go through.

[The Budget, March 4th, 2008]

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure today to speak about the benefits of budget 2008 for my hometown of Oshawa. I want to thank my colleague, the member for St. Catharines, for his excellent speech and his dedication to the auto sector.

For too many years Liberal governments ignored Oshawa, but no more. This Conservative government has delivered again and again for the city of Oshawa, and through budget 2008 that legacy continues.

This is our government's third balanced budget in a row. It builds on our long term economic plan and delivers real results for Oshawa residents. The residents of Oshawa expect their government to be responsible and show strong leadership as the country goes through economic uncertainty.

We are taking the same approach to federal finances as families would with theirs. In times of economic uncertainty, we do not overextend ourselves. We pay down the debt and focus on government spending.

We understand what opposition parties do not. Government surpluses do not belong to us. They belong to hard-working Canadians, like those in Oshawa. We will not make uncosted spending promises like the Leader of the Opposition. Those promises would, without question, plunge Canada back into deficit and run up a bare minimum of $62.5 billion in new debt.

Canadians will not go back to false Liberal promises, and I am overjoyed that over two years ago the residents of Oshawa voted for change and voted for a responsible Conservative government.

Budget 2008 builds on the decisive, pre-emptive action taken in the 2007 fall economic update and during winter 2008 to lower taxes for people and businesses, pay down debt, and provide targeted support to troubled industries.

One of those industries is the automotive sector, an industry that Oshawa depends upon and one that I care deeply about. I am acutely aware of the current challenges facing this critical sector and the unfortunate job losses, which is why this government will continue to deliver real tangible results that address these challenges head on.

It was this Conservative government that had the foresight to act ahead of the curve to protect our manufacturing and auto industries.

We are creating a competitive tax environment through broad-based tax reductions that support job creation, growth and investment in all sectors of the economy, including manufacturing.

Actions taken by the government since 2006 are providing $21 billion in incremental tax relief to Canadians and Canadian businesses this year alone. This is a significant and substantial economic stimulus equivalent to 1.4% of Canada's GDP.

Specifically, the government will provide over $9 billion in tax relief by 2012-13 to the manufacturing sector. We have also responded by extending the temporary capital cost allowance for manufacturers for three additional years on a declining basis, which will assist the sector to restructure and increase investment.

Our plan is taking affect. There were approximately 18,000 new manufacturing jobs created in January and the manufacturing unemployment rate is 5.9% versus the national rate of 6.1%.

Our auto industry is a great source of pride to us in Oshawa and through budget 2008 we will take the needed steps to ensure that it will always remain something of which to be proud.

The actions taken by this government will result in over $1.6 billion in benefits for the automotive sector over this and the next five years. Moreover, the automotive sector will also benefit from over $1 billion in tax relief by 2013.

Once again, our actions are making a difference. In February 2008 General Motors of Canada saw a sales increase of 14% over the same month last year. The year 2008 is already off to a good start.

In order to ensure the auto industry continues to thrive and succeed, the Minister of Industry has recently unveiled our government's auto action plan. This approach is built on four pillars: first, a positive business climate; second, an integrated North American auto sector; third, investing in automotive research and development; and fourth, the creation of a new automotive innovation fund, a $250 million fund to lever large scale private sector R and D and innovation in greener, more fuel efficient vehicles.

This is great news for Oshawa auto workers. The Liberals ignored Oshawa's auto needs and under their watch there were significant plant closures in 2004-05.

The Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers' Association knows we are on the right track. Mark Nantais, president of the CVMA, said on February 29:

The federal government’s attention and focus on one of Canada’s most important sectors of the economy is greatly welcomed and well timed given the challenges currently faced by Canada’s vehicle manufacturers...The government's policy is positive and should assist our industry as it transforms, adapts and strengthens in response to unprecedented global challenges.

We are getting the job done for the auto industry.

I would also like to take some time today to talk about the benefits of this budget to students and hard-working Oshawa families. To date, our government has made nearly 60 tax cuts that will provide almost $200 billion in tax relief over this and the next five years, $140 billion of which will be for individuals.

Our government is establishing a proud legacy of tax relief. We have provided relief in every way that government collects taxes: personal taxes, consumption taxes, business taxes and excise taxes. We are now rounding out our tax relief package by reducing taxes on savings with a new tax-free savings account.

Oshawa residents have told me we need a mechanism that will allow them to save more of their hard-earned money and watch it grow, and this government has delivered. This is the first mechanism of its kind in Canadian history and the most important savings vehicle since the introduction of the RRSP.

Budget 2008 is also delivering for our students. As a father of three children, I strongly believe in investing in tomorrow's leaders. Budget 2008 invests in our youth and will give them the tools they need to succeed. As the Canada millennium scholarship foundation winds down, our government will provide $350 million for the Canada student grant program, growing to $430 million in 2012-13. This funding will reach over 100,000 more students from low and middle income families than the current system.

Budget 2008 is building on initiatives that have already been announced for students. These include education, tuition and textbook credits, public transit credits and an apprenticeship job creation tax credit. We are creating a climate of success for our students and budget 2008 is taking a huge leap forward.

Through budget 2008 we are also protecting those in need in our communities. To date the Conservative government has committed $1.4 billion over three years through three trusts with provinces and territories to help address short term pressures with respect to affordable housing. I have had the privilege of making housing announcements over the past two weeks, one at the Anderson House and the other at Houselink Delaware, and saw firsthand the results of this funding.

We have also committed funding to affordable condominiums in the GTA and to renovate the historic Oshawa hotel. These new units will allow lower income families and individuals in Oshawa to live in safe, quality housing at an affordable cost. We are delivering on a commitment to help those who are homeless and at risk of becoming homeless.

Regrettably, those who are homeless often suffer from mental illness as well. To that end, our government is providing $110 million to the mental health commission to support demonstration projects focused on homeless people who are mentally ill.

In addition, through budget 2008, we are providing $500 million to make further investments in public capital transit infrastructure. This funding will directly benefit the residents of Durham region through the re-establishment of the rail link between the city of Peterborough and Toronto's Union Station, which will flow through the north of Oshawa.

In February, Minister Flaherty also committed $2.5 million to the Durham region for the development of a long term transit plan. This fund--