Mr. Speaker, we know there was a wish list and there were several sets of books, three at least from the previous government. One other thing we know for sure is that $40 million of taxpayers' money from hard-working Canadians is gone.
House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2011, with 58% of the vote.
Trade December 13th, 2006
Mr. Speaker, we know there was a wish list and there were several sets of books, three at least from the previous government. One other thing we know for sure is that $40 million of taxpayers' money from hard-working Canadians is gone.
Persons with Disabilities December 13th, 2006
Mr. Speaker, what we need to know is where the Liberals locked up the money. In what brown bag did they lock up the money? Is it in the hands of their bookie, Alfonso Gagliano? We do not know where they locked up the money. Which set of books were they using, the first set, the second set or the third set?
We would rather actually do something for people with disabilities and we will.
Persons with Disabilities December 13th, 2006
Mr. Speaker, I commend to the member opposite the report that was filed yesterday by the Minister of Finance's committee on disabilities. For the first time in the history of the country, we now have a potential initiative that will help parents with children with severe disabilities to save for their future, something the member's government could have done over the course of 13 years, which we have now done in the course of 10 months.
Government Programs December 13th, 2006
Mr. Speaker, not only do we have a policy, we have a plan called “Advantage Canada”. Not only do we have a plan called “Advantage Canada” that will try to address the lack of productivity growth in the last 10 years when the party opposite was the government, but our plan has the endorsement of the International Monetary Fund.
In the report issued today by the International Monetary Fund, it praises Canada's new government for its commitment to allocating unplanned surpluses to lower the debt, to increase productivity in Canada and to lower taxes.
Government Policies December 13th, 2006
Mr. Speaker, the member opposite is correct that we are spending on our priorities and not on a wish list that the Liberals published just before the last election, the third wish list that they published in 2005.
There were three sets of books in 2005 from the last government. We only have one set of books.
And yes, we are spending on our own priorities. To check on their books and what happened to the $40 million, I guess we will have to call their bookie.
Income Trusts December 11th, 2006
Mr. Speaker, unlike the previous government, we dealt with this issue in the interest of tax fairness for Canadians, yes, and that corporations in Canada would pay their fair share of taxes. I know members opposite do not think that is the right thing to do, but we as Conservatives think that all Canadians, whether they are corporations or individuals, should pay their fair share of taxes.
The implementation rules with respect to the income trusts should be available before Christmas.
Financial Institutions December 11th, 2006
Mr. Speaker, as I say, we believe in competition. There are differences between banks, certain trust companies and certain credit unions on fees. However, in the spirit of Christmas, I say to the member that I will bring this up with the banks and hope that the Christmas spirit prevails.
Financial Institutions December 11th, 2006
Mr. Speaker, we count on our banking system to be competitive. I encourage consumers to shop and to have a look around at banks, credit unions and every option they have for banking machines in this country. They should shop competitively and make the right choice for themselves. We believe in competition in financial institutions in Canada.
Taxation December 7th, 2006
Mr. Speaker, as the member knows, in our tax back guarantee in “Advantage Canada”, we will reduce the public debt each year and we will save interest every year when we do that. That interest savings will be used every year to reduce personal income tax in Canada. Therefore, yes, there is a tax back guarantee for all Canadians on personal income tax.
On October 31, we announced the pension splitting, as the member opposite knows. It is a very important step for pensioners in Canada, many of whom are seniors, but not all. Splitting pensions to a maximum of fifty-fifty means thousands of dollars in cash for pensioners across Canada.
Equalization December 7th, 2006
Certainly not Scrooge, Mr. Speaker. Perhaps a mere elf, but not Scrooge.
As the members opposite know, a number of studies and reports have been brought forward this year, which the government has been reviewing, including from the municipalities, from the provinces and territories, from a group that was appointed by the previous government. All these reports with respect to equalization, fiscal balance, are being reviewed. We are on track. We have the meeting next week of the finance ministers toward resolution in 2007.