House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2011, with 58% of the vote.
The Budget March 20th, 2007
Mr. Speaker, unlike the previous government of over 13 years, we are able to control spending. The underspending was quite significant in the past fiscal year. As a result, we have lower spending and a higher surplus than anticipated. This gives us the opportunity to make a payment on the public debt of more than $9 billion which, as I have said, results in a tax decrease for all Canadians on the personal income tax side.
The Budget March 20th, 2007
Mr. Speaker, absolutely, and the reason is--
The Budget March 20th, 2007
Mr. Speaker, not only have we reduced public debt last year by $13.2 billion, but we are also going to reduce public debt this year by more than $9 billion. The total reduction in public debt in two budgets, then, will be more than $22 billion. That is a reduction of $700 for every man, woman and child in Canada.
We translate that through the tax back guarantee through a personal tax reduction for all Canadians; so that every time we reduce the interest payment on our national mortgage, individual Canadians benefit through tax reductions.
The Budget March 20th, 2007
Mr. Speaker, I know some members of this House get nervous when the member rises, mainly Liberal members I think.
We chose to support families in Canada. That was a definite choice. We reduced taxes by more than $7 billion in yesterday's budget, $5.73 billion in personal tax reductions, with 75% of the reductions going to people earning less than $75,000 a year in Canada.
The Budget March 20th, 2007
Mr. Speaker, about research and applied research, Sharon Maloney of Polytechnics Canada said:
We're pleased that the government recognizes the need to invest in applied research and training.
When talking about the manufacturing sector, a number of people have commented on the importance, the shot of adrenalin that it means for manufacturing in Canada, for the forestry industry in Canada. The two year capital cost allowance write-off unanimously recommended by the industry committee of the House of Commons will fulfill that.
The Budget March 20th, 2007
Ralph, stop yelling for a minute and I will quote something.
Claire Morris of the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada said, “This kind of support for the next generation of Canadian researchers will help launch exciting new ideas and innovation across the country”. Students feel the same way. Phillippe Ouellette of the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations said, “Students have been pushing for a dedicated transfer payment for years now”--
The Budget March 20th, 2007
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased that yesterday's budget provided $800 million in new money for post-secondary education. It is very important.
The Budget March 19th, 2007
Mr. Speaker, as I said a few moments ago, over the last two budgets we have delivered $4.5 billion in new assistance to Canada's farmers. The member opposite said that was not real money. I would suggest to the member opposite that he stay out of the banking business.
The Budget March 19th, 2007
Mr. Speaker, in budget 2007 our government is delivering for the hard-working families of Saskatchewan like never before.
Under the new fiscal balance package, Saskatchewan will have the largest per capita gains of any province in 2007-08. We are providing $1.4 billion to improve the lives of the people of Saskatchewan, including $226 million under the new equalization formula, $756 million under the Canada health transfer, $342 million for the Canada social transfer and $75 million for infrastructure.
Additionally, we are providing Saskatchewan farmers with $250 million. We are providing $500 million to support private sector production of renewable fuels in Saskatchewan and throughout Canada.
The Budget March 19th, 2007
Mr. Speaker, the member is wrong about veterans. The budget contains some substantial benefits for veterans which I actually announced about 10 minutes ago.
The member raised the point about how we can help lower income Canadians and struggling Canadians to do better. We need to help them over the welfare wall. When the Liberal Party opposite was government it talked about this but, as usual, it did not get the job done. Today we did it. We accomplished it today with the workers' income tax benefit.
I am sure my NDP colleague recognizes the importance of encouraging struggling people to move from social assistance into jobs. We have the lowest unemployment rate in 30 years. We are actually helping to make it worthwhile for people to support their families and to move into the labour force. This is an important social reform. I hope the NDP will support it. I have no idea what the Liberals might or might not do because they just talked about it and never did it.