House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2015, with 61% of the vote.
Taxation February 9th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, how can the finance minister continue to defend this ridiculous shell game he is playing, forcing Canadians to pay more and get less?
The legacy is high taxes, 38 tax hikes, health care slashed, 180,000 people still in waiting lines. When will it stop?
Taxation February 9th, 1999
We are here today to debate your policies, not ours. We will get there next time round.
Taxation February 9th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, here is a reality check for the finance minister.
Under his watch taxes are up $38 billion, health care funding has been slashed $16 billion. We know taxpayers deserve better than that.
When will the finance minister stop his high tax, health cut agenda?
Federal-Provincial Fiscal Arrangements Act February 8th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, I listened intently to my colleague's speech. One thing he did not talk about was a provision in the new act to tax casino profits. The federal government has realized that some tax dollars are being generated in gaming whether we talk about casinos or VLTs or whatever. I know VLTs have become quite a contentious issue in Alberta, the member's home province.
Would the member share with us whether he thinks there is a taxable net benefit to society? We have Gamblers Anonymous and the social ramifications of family break-ups and so on that are being caused. Does the member really consider that the federal government will see a net taxable benefit in that regard? I know Saskatchewan is struggling with the concept of whether there is anything there that is taxable.
Petitions February 8th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, it is an honour to present a petition on behalf of a number of the independent insurance brokers in my riding and people who support them.
They are calling on the government to reject the MacKay task force recommendations to allow banks into the selling of casualty and property insurance.
Elwin Hermanson December 8th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, it is a privilege to stand today to recognize in the gallery my good friend and political mentor Mr. Elwin Hermanson.
As many will recall, Elwin was the member for Kindersley—Lloydminster in the House of Commons from 1993 to 1997, serving as both the House leader for the Reform Party as well as its chief agricultural critic.
Elwin has since won the leadership of the official opposition in Regina, the Saskatchewan Party. This new party is made up of members from all parties who believe in fiscal responsibility and democratic accountability.
These political pioneers have the desire and the political will to see Saskatchewan fulfill its potential and take its rightful place in Confederation as a have province and no longer a poor country cousin.
On behalf of my colleagues in Ottawa, I sincerely wish all the best to Elwin and his team. I wish them future success in their political endeavours.
Employment Insurance November 19th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, the finance minister finds himself on the horns of a dilemma because of his EI cash cow.
The minister has chosen over the past year to gouge hardworking Canadians but I advise this minister to back off before he finds out that those horns can also gouge.
The official opposition has been calling for a cut in EI premiums, not only because they are too high but because fully half those funds are not going to employment insurance at all.
There are over 900,000 small and medium size businesses in the country that can use that extra $500 per employee to create new jobs. There are nearly one million self-employed Canadians who can use the extra $850 being taken from them every year, and of course there are 14 million workers who have overcontributed $6.5 billion in income taxes in this past year who can make better use of their own money rather than financing the minister's rainy day fund.
Points Of Order November 16th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order today to seek to understand what was unparliamentary or out of order in the preamble to my question during question period today, sir.
Taxation November 16th, 1998
Two million Canadians earn less than $10,000 a year but they still pay his high EI rate—
Taxation November 16th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, the finance minister thinks his $10 billion in overtaxation is something to celebrate. For him it may well be. By his definition anybody less than a millionaire is middle class and a tax target.