Jim Flaherty

[Budget Implementation, November 7th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, what we are trying to accomplish is simply this: that we implement the job-creating measures that were announced in the budget in March this year, some of which were in the first budget bill and some are in this budget bill. The opposition members are being intransigent. I just returned from a G20 meeting in Mexico City and the world is worried about the situation in Europe and the so-called “fiscal cliff” in the United States, while in the House we have the intransigent opposition to job-creation measures.

[Budget Implementation, November 7th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, as the member opposite knows, the finance committee has voted, as I understand it, to refer the second budget implementation bill to 10 parliamentary subcommittees, which have expertise in certain areas that are subject to proposed legislation in the bill. That is what the opposition parties have asked. If the opposition parties would like to take some part of the bill out and agree on unanimous consent to pass it today, we would be happy to do so.

[Securities, October 31st, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, nothing, actually.

The Supreme Court of Canada has given the federal government as well as the provinces guidance on what our respective constitutional responsibilities are relating to securities, and I said “respective responsibilities”. The Supreme Court of Canada was clear that the federal government has a responsibility, for example, with respect to the global oversight of securities in Canada. The provinces have their own responsibilities with respect to securities.

We have had some continuing discussions with the provinces with respect to this issue and I am hopeful that we will be able to be creative together.

[Government Accountability, October 31st, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, in fact, the plan for the economy is in the two budget bills, one of which we voted on yesterday and the NDP again voted against economic progress for our country. It voted against the hiring credit for small business in Canada. These are job creating measures.

The NDP members stand in this place and say that they are interested in job creation and growth in the economy, but every time a measure is brought forward, including in the economic action plan 2012, they not only argue against it, they vote against it.

[Government Accountability, October 31st, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, as the member opposite knows, this information has been provided to the House in various ways, through the budget, estimates and so on, with respect to the spending plans of the government.

The stimulus program that emanated from the budget in 2009 was always planned to come to an end and, in fact, it did come to an end. It was wound down. However, it was very effective. I note that the NDP voted against that stimulus plan.

[Ways and Means, October 24th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 83(1), I wish to table a notice of ways and means motion to amend the Income Tax Act, the Excise Tax Act and related legislation.

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

[Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, October 24th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, there are no plans to privatize the CMHC at the present time. There are plans, which the NDP voted against, to exercise more oversight over the securitization functions of CMHC.

This is very important for Canadian taxpayers and Canadian fiscal stability, and it is regrettable that the NDP, the official opposition, cannot understand that function with respect to residential mortgages of the CMHC and support the oversight measures taken by the government.

[Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, October 24th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, as I said in the House yesterday, and in fact as I said in the Globe and Mail, there are no plans presently to privatize the CMHC.

Our government is focused on the economic action plan, the budget implementation bills, including action to improve oversight of CMHC. This is particularly with respect to the securitization function of CMHC concerning residential mortgages, a function that has expanded dramatically in recent years, and we are exercising more oversight now through the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions.

[Consumer Protection, October 24th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, our government is firmly committed to protecting Canadian consumers, unlike the NDP that actually voted against this consumer protection measure.

Building on our government's already strong record of consumer protection, today's announcement will do three things: require prepaid credit cards to clearly display their fees upfront, prohibit maintenance fees being charged on the card for at least a year and ensure that consumers' prepaid funds never expire. These changes will help ensure that Canadians get the full value of their hard-earned dollars when using a prepaid credit card.

[Intergovernmental Affairs, October 24th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, what the Auditor General actually said is that government finances are sustainable over the long term.

With respect to his recommendations, and there were a couple, we will accept them and have acted in response.

With respect to provincial governments, their own fiscal plans are within the control and jurisdiction of the provincial governments, and we respect that jurisdiction.