Jim Flaherty

[Atlantic Accord, November 21st, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, if the member opposite actually cared about what was in the bill, he would wait to read it. Once he reads it, perhaps he could form an opinion. Maybe he could listen to his own premier in Nova Scotia who said:

If Nova Scotia MPs...are not standing up and supporting this, that says to me, No. 1, that they're not in favour of us receiving the full benefits of the...(accord). I hope that our MPs, especially...our Liberal MPs...are going to stand up and be counted.

[Atlantic Accord, November 21st, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, as I said yesterday, in response to a question from a Liberal member, the commitment we had made on this very complex bill was to have a briefing as soon as the bill was tabled. The bill will be tabled this afternoon. We look forward to having a briefing tomorrow. I hope the hon. member will be there.

[Atlantic Accord, November 20th, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, the legislation, the proposed bill to which the hon. member makes reference, is the fall budget implementation bill. It is a complicated bill. It is complex. It covers a large number of subjects that were reviewed in the budget this year, and additional items.

It is, as I say, complex and is still being drafted over some technical issues. Our commitment was to have the briefing as soon as the bill was tabled. We will keep the commitment.

[Manufacturing Industry, November 20th, 2007]

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

In recent weeks, manufacturers and exporters in Quebec have said this:

The reduction of federal corporate tax rates is an important measure that will enable Canada to maintain the level of private investment and attract foreign investment. We are therefore preserving our long-term global competitiveness...we congratulate the Minister of Finance on recognizing the—

[Manufacturing Industry, November 20th, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, in the budget this year, the federal government brought in an accelerated capital cost allowance, recommended unanimously by the industry committee of the House, a 100% reduction in capital cost allowance over the course of two years, a very important incentive for Canadian business. We are seeing an acceleration of investment in machinery and equipment.

Then, in the fall economic statement, we brought in historic corporate tax and business reductions, including for manufacturers in Canada. I invite the province of Quebec and other provinces to emulate the federal government's actions.

[Forestry Sector, November 14th, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, the member opposite is, of course, right. The rising Canadian dollar vis-à-vis the U.S. dollar has a significant effect on a couple of industries, including the forestry industry and the auto industry.

However, I remind the member of the comments by the manufacturers and exporters in Quebec following the announcement of our substantial reduction in corporate taxes and how welcome it is. Yes, the accelerated capital cost allowance is also welcome, and, yes, we will consider doing more because these are sectors in the Canadian economy that are suffering disproportionately.

[Manufacturing Sector, November 14th, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, we are in the process now of lowering taxes for corporations to historically low levels in Canada, down to 15% federally by 2012. That move has been welcomed by the Quebec Manufacturers & Exporters in Quebec, as well as by the Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters association. The member is correct. There are lots of people in those associations who would like to extend the period of the accelerated capital cost allowance and that is something I assure the member that we will consider during the course of the ongoing pre-budget consultations.

[Ways and Means, November 13th, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 83(1) I wish to table a notice of a ways and means motion respecting an act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on March 19, 2007.

I ask that an order of the day be designated for consideration of the motion.

[Manufacturing Sector, November 13th, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, the member is absolutely right that in the budget in March we acknowledged the unanimous recommendation of the industry committee of the House of Commons with respect to creating an accelerated capital cost allowance to permit 100% writeoff over two years of new machinery and equipment. We did that in the budget this year and it is important that we continue with that.

We are seeing some acceleration in the acquisition of new machinery and equipment. The stronger Canadian currency vis-à-vis the U.S. currency helps that as well. Now we have gone ahead in the fall economic statement and reduced taxes significantly for all Canadian businesses out to--

[Manufacturing Sector, November 13th, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, Canada's economy under this Conservative government is strong and thriving. The employment data is very strong, including the employment data from the province of Quebec.

It is good news for Canadians that we have this continued strong growth. The unemployment rate in fact is the lowest it has been in 33 years. There are more Canadian men and women working today than ever before in the history of Canada.