House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2011, with 58% of the vote.
Securities December 11th, 2007
Mr. Speaker, the arrangements between the Montreal Exchange and the Toronto Stock Exchange are matters that they negotiated themselves.
I understand, from speaking to the principals, that the idea has been that the derivatives exchange would remain in Montreal. It has been very successful in Montreal, as the equities exchange has been very successful in Toronto. The merger works well for Canada.
Securities December 11th, 2007
Mr. Speaker, that suggestion is absolute nonsense. What we have been talking about, as recommended by the Crawford committee, is a common securities regulator in Canada, not a federal regulator and not an Ontario oriented or Toronto oriented regulator.
I say for the member opposite, look at the challenges that we have in enforcement in Canada with respect to securities, the frauds perpetrated on seniors and the frauds perpetrated on investors. I ask him seriously whether he thinks we can have enforcement that is effective without the presence of the national government.
Securities December 11th, 2007
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the hon. member for his question.
As stated in the Speech from the Throne, we respect the jurisdictions of Canada's governments.
I also congratulate the Montreal Exchange and the Toronto Stock Exchange for enhancing the capital markets in Canada by the agreement they reached earlier this week.
Budget and Economic Statement Implementation Act, 2007 December 10th, 2007
moved that the bill be concurred in.
Manufacturing and Forestry Industries December 5th, 2007
Mr. Speaker, the member opposite suggests that manufacturers in Quebec did not welcome the business tax reductions. In fact, what the association in Quebec said:
“We’re pleased the Minister of Finance acknowledged the competitive challenges facing manufacturers.”
Competitiveness is important. Long term tax reductions, that is what the manufacturers and exporters of Quebec said right after the October 30 economic statement.
Manufacturing and Forestry Industries December 5th, 2007
Mr. Speaker, as the Prime Minister just said, there were very substantial business tax reductions for manufacturers so far this year, $1.3 billion in the March budget and then across the board long term business tax reductions, which are dramatic to 2012. These were welcomed by the manufacturers in Quebec. This is important long term relief, not millions of dollars but billions of dollars in tax relief for businesses across Canada, including Quebec.
Manufacturing Industry November 29th, 2007
Mr. Speaker, we do not have to wait until Christmas. We did it in on March 19, with an accelerated capital cost allowance, which was recommended unanimously by the industry committee of the House.
The member opposite should know that. He should read the budget. It is $1.3 billion of assistance for manufacturers across Canada.
Equalization Payments November 29th, 2007
Mr. Speaker, certainly the goal has been to make the briefings as fulsome as possible. If the member opposite feels that the briefings have not been adequately fulsome, then we can arrange for more briefings.
Finance November 29th, 2007
Mr. Speaker, I hear what the member opposite says but I also hear what the Canadian manufacturers and exporters say. They say that the reduction in the federal corporate tax rate is an extremely important step in sustaining Canada's ability to retain and attract business investment.
Similarly, the move we made on October 30, the dramatic reduction in business taxes, was applauded by the Quebec manufacturers.
I do look forward tomorrow, as part of our prebudget consultations, to having the opportunity to listen to Quebec manufacturers in Quebec City where we will be tomorrow for prebudget consultations.
Finance November 29th, 2007
Mr. Speaker, on October 30, we announced tax reductions that will total $60 billion over this year and the next five years. This includes accelerating the small business deduction to 11% as of January 1, 2008.
If the member opposite wants to talk about big business he can, but we are concerned about small and medium size businesses in Canada and reducing their tax burden.
The member opposite knows, from experience in small businesses, that if we reduce the burden then they can reinvest and create more jobs. Guess what? We have record unemployment in Canada as a result of these reinvestments.