Jason Kenney

[Modernization Of House Of Commons Procedure, March 21st, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, I particularly want to pay homage to the member for Surrey Central who, I suspect, if one were to analyze Hansard , speaks more frequently on bills and motions than any other member of this place, certainly of my party. One exception might be the hon. member for Pictou-Antigonish—Guysborough who has to carry about four different portfolios.

The member for Surrey Central is profligate in his contribution to debate here. He makes those many interventions precisely because he does believe profoundly in the importance of the deliberative function of this body. I know he has studied political science and has travelled and seen parliaments in the British system and other congressional systems abroad.

Perhaps he could reflect for a moment on whether he believes that other parliaments take more seriously the sort of debate to which he so frequently contributes than we do here in this parliament and how we could perhaps emulate the more sober use of parliamentary debate that other institutions use.

[The Economy, March 20th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, he talks about the consequences of the Prime Minister's economic policy. That economic policy, the highest income taxes in the G-7, the highest corporate income taxes in the OECD and the second highest debt in the developed world, has led to a 64 cent dollar which may be going to 60 cents, and he said it is irresponsible. What is irresponsible is an economic policy which is impoverishing Canadians and diminishing our standard of living.

When will the government finally get its fundamentals right so that we can have a currency we are proud of which increases and does not decrease our standard of living?

[The Economy, March 20th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, when the Liberal loonie tanked four years ago, the finance minister said that it was because of low commodity prices at the time.

Now we are facing new record high commodity prices, so I am wondering what is the finance minister's excuse. Could it possibly have something to do with the fact that his boss, the Prime Minister, has articulated a weak dollar policy for 20 years?

[The Economy, March 19th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, a month ago I heard the finance minister say in New York that the value of the dollar was a reflection of the productivity of our economy. He said that the fundamentals were right.

Let us see. We have the highest income taxes in the G-7, the highest corporate income taxes in the OECD, the second highest debt in the G-7 and the second highest level of foreign indebtedness in the industrialized world.

How can he stand here while our dollar continues to go through the floor and say that it is irresponsible for opposition members to ask that the government bring in a monetary fiscal policy which restores real value to our currency that reflects the wealth of the nation?

[The Economy, March 19th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, we know that the Prime Minister prefers a weak Canadian dollar. For years, his actions and his words have demonstrated that preference. As for his government, it has been very quiet on the weakness of the Canadian dollar.

My question is for the Minister of Finance. Does he agree with the monetary policy of his leader, or does he support an action plan to finally restore the value of the Canadian dollar?

[Points Of Order, March 16th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, during question period, while the member for Wild Rose was putting a question to a government minister, I heard the member for Waterloo—Wellington very distinctly use quite odious remarks that were profoundly unparliamentary. He referred to members of this party as being racists. This is a term that he frequently uses.

We have brought this to the attention of the Chair in the past. I would ask that the Speaker bring to order people who use scurrilous remarks which clearly are totally unparliamentary and uncalled for and which bring disrepute on himself and this place.

[Petitions, March 14th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to present a petition signed by some 3,500 residents, principally if not completely from Ontario.

Essentially they are supporting the private member's bill which I introduced that seeks to restore a more fair tax regime for Canadian recipients of U.S. social security payments, and to undo the negative effects of the third protocol between Canada and the United States by restoring the 50% tax inclusion rate for social security payments.

[Petitions, March 14th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, I present a petition which calls for the elimination of inequities in the tax code against single income families with children. The petition is signed by some 70 residents of the province of British Columbia.

[Income Tax Act, March 14th, 2001]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-298, an act to amend the Income Tax Act (exemption from taxation of 50% of U.S. social security payments to Canadian residents).

Mr. Speaker, my third and final private member's bill today would re-establish the status quo ante with respect to the taxation of social security payments made to Canadian residents from the United States government.

The Liberal government had renegotiated the tax treaty with the United States in such a way as to prejudice financially seniors resident in Canada who receive social security payments.

The bill would correct that egregious mistake, which has cost many low income and fixed income seniors very dearly in financial terms, by restoring the original inclusion rate of 50% for social security payments to Canadians.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)

[Observance Of Two Minutes Of Silence On Remembrance Day Act, March 14th, 2001]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-297, an act to promote the observance of two minutes of silence on Remembrance Day.

Mr. Speaker, this bill is identical to one I introduced which was debated in the previous parliament. It is based on a similar statute adopted by the parliament of Ontario and the Westminster parliament.

It would formally recognize and invite Canadians to observe two minutes of silence on Remembrance Day. It is the fruit of recommendations from the Royal Canadian Legion and other veteran organizations.

I look forward at some point in this parliament to presenting over 50,000 petition signatures in support of the bill.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)