Jean-Pierre Blackburn

[Canada Revenue Agency, March 3rd, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, once again, I want to point out that, before issuing a tobacco sales permit, we check to see if the individual has a criminal record. If so, then we simply do not issue the permit. As I said before, if the member had taken the time to find out more about the issue, he might not be asking the same question. If we find out that there is a criminal record, the minister has the power to revoke the permit.

[Canada Revenue Agency, March 2nd, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, if the member knew more about the issue, he might not be asking the same question.

I will say it again. We conduct checks. We ensure that individuals comply with the rules when they apply for permits. That was done in this case.

If someone does not comply with the requirements of the law, if an individual does not do what he told us he would do, of course we can revoke his permit. The member is well aware that there are certain things which I cannot mention because of confidentiality.

[Canada Revenue Agency, March 2nd, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for his question.

Before issuing a tobacco sale permit, we check to see if the individual has a criminal record. Then, we review the business plan submitted to us by the company. Finally, we visit the premises to ensure that everything is in compliance with the business plan presented to us. We also explain to the prospective permit holder his responsibilities and obligations.

In this case, all these steps were taken. If the facts do not reflect what we were told, of course we can revoke the individual's permit.

[Agriculture and Agri-Food, February 10th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, I will repeat that it is a pilot project established by the previous government. Food safety is our primary concern. The health of Canadians comes first for us and we will naturally continue with that approach.

[Agriculture and Agri-Food, February 10th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, in answer to the question raised by the member concerning poultry carcasses, the pilot program was introduced by the previous government. Public health is our primary concern. It is important for citizens to be protected. We will, of course, protect the health of Canadians.

[Budget Implementation Act, 2009, February 9th, 2009]

Madam Speaker, I want to follow up on the comments of the hon. member for Toronto Centre, who said that there were considerable changes between the economic statement and our budget. If there had not been any changes, it would have shown we were out of touch with reality. In just a few months, the global recession has had a very negative effect on our country. The budget had to take these extremely important events into account.

We started with a budget running a surplus of nearly $1 billion only to quickly find out it was all melting away. The expected deficit was now nearly $1 billion. When a government starts with a budget forecasting such a surplus and ends with an expected deficit of $34 billion for the next year, something major has happened.

Our government believes it is important to support Canada’s economy at a time when the private sector is reducing its investments. We are an exporting country. Our businesses are seeing people buy less of what they produce. They are forced to cut production and even let employees go. It is important, therefore, for our government to offset this decline in the private sector through massive investments in infrastructure. We are going to invest $12 billion in it over two years.

We have also provided support for the automobile industry, just as we are helping the forestry sector by providing a tax credit for people who renovate their homes. When people renovate their homes, economic activity increases and this helps companies in the manufacturing and forestry sectors that produce all kinds of products used in renovations. We are also encouraging people to buy their first home by providing another tax credit. There is an array of measures here similar to those on the employment insurance side.

The hon. member for Toronto Centre and his party felt that this was a good approach to take. A budget is never perfect, of course. We cannot do everything, but a least the hon. member has recognized the efforts we are making to try to support Canada’s economy, our employers, our working people and the disadvantaged.

[Taxation, February 9th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, it is interesting to note that the member is also concerned with what is happening in the other provinces. It is interesting and also unusual to note their concern for the collective good because generally they only look out for Quebec and are not concerned with what is fair for the other provinces.

Discussions with Ontario are ongoing and we shall see what happens next.

[Taxation, February 9th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, discussions take place on a regular basis between the provinces and the Canada Revenue Agency, which collects these taxes. I certainly do not wish to provide advance information about matters under discussion.

[Agriculture and Agri-Food, February 5th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, in 2005, this House passed a unanimous resolution asking the government to protect supply management. Our government has taken a clear position in favour of our agricultural producers and members of the GO5 coalition.

We are staying the course. We want the WTO to respect supply management and we will continue to stand up for our people on that issue.

[Agriculture and Agri-Food, February 3rd, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, as we know, during the election campaign we promised to invest $50 million in the slaughter industry. That is what we have done. The $50 million is now in the budget. The Liberal Party opposite will be supporting us whereas the Bloc Québécois refuses to do.

We intend to support industries in this sector that need assistance. Levinoff-Colbex has already contacted officials at the department with regard to their file.