Jim Flaherty

[The Budget, June 7th, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, since this government was elected, more than 450,000 new jobs have been created in Canada. More than 70% of them are full time jobs. We have the lowest unemployment rate in 33 years—

[The Budget, June 7th, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, I think the friendly question from the member opposite is called a lob question.

That is the member who travels to Paris, France to tell the people of the world that the Liberal Party wants to raise the GST. That is the president of the save the GST club and now raise the GST, a massive tax grab, more than $10 billion, from Canadians that the Liberal Party intends to do, according to the member for Markham—Unionville.

[Atlantic Accord, June 7th, 2007]

The Atlantic accord with the provinces of Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador is the same now as it was before, Mr. Speaker. There is a choice to be made.

There is also, as I was saying, $277 million for the Canada social transfer, $73 million for infrastructure, $24.2 million for the patient wait times guarantee, all for the province of Nova Scotia.

As the member for Cumberland—Colchester—Musquodoboit Valley said to the Truro Daily News, “I have never seen a budget that has had more in it for the people of my riding than this one does”.

[Atlantic Accord, June 7th, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, the question comes from a member of a party that says there is no fiscal imbalance in Canada. Budget 2007 addresses the issue of fiscal imbalance in Canada. I would have thought the member opposite would welcome the fact that this budget provides the province of Nova Scotia with massive benefits, $2.4 billion in restoring fiscal balance in the province.

Why is the member opposite opposed to $1.3 billion under the new equalization system, $130 million in offshore accord offsets, $600—

[The Dollar, June 7th, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, the recommendations of the industry committee of the House were unanimous on this issue, and that includes the party of the member opposite who has asked the question.

That is why, because we are concerned about manufacturers and the health of the manufacturing industry, particularly in central Canada, in Quebec and Ontario, we brought in this dramatic change in capital cost allowance.

With respect to employment, since this government was elected there are more than 450,000 more jobs in Canada today.

[The Dollar, June 7th, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the member for his question.

The matter of monetary policy, of course, as the member knows, is the responsibility of the Bank of Canada. We recognize the challenges faced by manufacturers over the past several years. The Canadian dollar, more than any other currency, has borne the brunt of the depreciation of the American dollar.

That is why in budget 2007 we brought in a dramatic increase in the capital cost allowance for manufacturers, at an estimated cost of $1.3 billion, a direct writeoff over the course of the next two years, so that they can acquire more efficient--

[Atlantic Accord, June 6th, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, as the hon. member knows, he and I have had many discussions on this subject.

Budget 2007 provides Nova Scotia flexibility and more money, as well as respecting the Atlantic accords and giving the province of Nova Scotia the opportunity to make an election. In fact, the province was concerned initially, after March 19, that its budget was coming up that Friday and asked for more time to consider the matter, which we have done. The province has since elected to enter into the agreement for one year to have more opportunities to consider it.

These are worthwhile considerations and at the present benefit—

[The Budget, June 6th, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, this is what the Liberal Party opposite is speaking against: more money for education; more money for health care; and more money for labour training in the provinces. These are not artificial academic numbers. These are funds that matter to each constituent. These are the basic services delivered by the provinces and territories and Canada.

Because we have addressed the fiscal imbalance, which the Liberal Party does not believe exists, $2.1 billion will go to the provinces and territories this fiscal year for health care, education, infrastructure, skills training and the environment.

[The Budget, June 6th, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, there is a member from Quebec criticizing a budget proposal that has been welcomed by Quebec. There is a member from Quebec with a leader who says that there is no fiscal imbalance.

This is an issue that had to be addressed in Canada. Once again, over 13 years the Liberals did not get the job done.

The Prime Minister and the government have done the job, restoring fiscal balance in Canada. It has not been easy, but if it had been easy, the Liberals would have done it.

[The Budget, June 6th, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, here is what the member for Wascana did not do for Saskatchewan that this Conservative government has done: $226 million more under equalization; $756 million under the Canada health transfer; $342 million for the Canada social transfer; and $75 million for infrastructure. It is a great budget for the province of Saskatchewan.