House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2011, with 58% of the vote.
Fitness Tax Credit April 7th, 2008
Mr. Speaker, the comments that I have heard from parents who are filing their tax returns is that they are very pleased to have the opportunity to make a claim for the children's fitness tax credit.
This is an important step forward in Canada for parents who incur expenses for their children to engage in active sporting activities, which I am sure the member would agree is of benefit for the children.
Budget Implementation Act, 2008 April 7th, 2008
That's nonsense.
Fiscal Imbalance April 3rd, 2008
Mr. Speaker, there are lots of instances where the Government of Quebec receives compensation.
Just yesterday, I think it was, the hon. member raised the question of the GST and Quebec's involvement in that.
In fact, Quebec administers its own tax, as well as the GST on behalf of the federal government, for which the federal government paid Quebec approximately $130 million in 2006-07.
Fiscal Imbalance April 3rd, 2008
Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for his question.
The fiscal imbalance issue was dealt with in 2006-07. I am pleased that we have arrived at fiscal balance in Canada between the Government of Canada and the other governments, not without substantial increases in the transfer payments for the provinces and territories which have taken place.
The witness to this now is that when the provincial premiers and territorial leaders get together the one subject they do not talk about is the former fiscal imbalance which is now fiscal balance in Canada.
Finance April 2nd, 2008
Mr. Speaker, we work with the provinces continually with respect to tax matters and the integration of tax initiatives, tax policies, including the registered disability savings plan which we created, with thanks to the Bloc for its support on that, including the working income tax benefit to help people enter the workforce. There is regular facilitation of tax policy with the provinces.
The province of Quebec has also taken up the incentive with respect to capital taxes, moving toward their elimination in Quebec.
Finance April 2nd, 2008
Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for his question.
In the budget we have indicated to the provinces that do not have harmonized sales taxes with the GST that we would be prepared to work with them to accomplish that. Some discussions have taken place with some of those provinces, in the same way I might add, that in the budget last year we provided an incentive for those provinces that still had capital taxes to eliminate those capital taxes. Several provinces have taken steps in that regard. I am pleased to see that the province of Ontario took that step in its budget last week.
Federal-Provincial Relations March 31st, 2008
I trust, Mr. Speaker, that the member for Willowdale will join the other Liberals who have supported our budget and our business tax reductions of historic proportions in the Government of Canada. I also hope the Liberals will listen to one of the newest Liberals, the member for Toronto Centre, who said:
The... government needs to keep a vigilant eye on corporate taxes to ensure they are globally competitive with key jurisdictions so that investment in Canada is encouraged.
As I say, Liberals need to listen to themselves.
Federal-Provincial Relations March 31st, 2008
Let me begin, Mr. Speaker, by thanking the member for Willowdale for her friendly opening question in the House. I welcome her to the House and I hope the questions will become more congenial over time.
The Liberals do not believe themselves. Here is what the Leader of the Opposition said about lowering taxes, which is what this is about in Ontario. He said:
A lower corporate tax rate is a powerful weapon...to generate more investment, higher living standards and better jobs.
The Liberals need to start listening to themselves.
Federal-Provincial Relations March 31st, 2008
Mr. Speaker, I do wish the member for Toronto Centre the same success in opposition here in this House as he had serving in Ontario also in opposition.
The Liberals do not listen to their own advice. Here is what the member for Markham—Unionville said. He said, “The new Canadian advantage and the Liberal vision”--
Federal-Provincial Relations March 31st, 2008
Mr. Speaker, my criticism of the Government of Ontario and the Premier of Ontario cannot hold a candle to the criticism of the NDP government of Ontario by the Liberal government here when Bob Rae--