Jim Flaherty

[Government Spending, November 3rd, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, we base our estimates and forecasts on the analyses of 15 private-sector forecasters. In fact, we took a risk for adjustment downward from their predictions. The PBO is in disagreement with all of them. Here is what he said in August, just a few months ago: “The sharp rebound from recession could put the federal government on the road to balancing its books a year ahead of schedule”.

All of a sudden, he is singing a different tune and disagreeing with the economists in this country.

[Harmonized Sales Tax, November 3rd, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, I have had continuing discussions with Quebec's minister of finance. I spoke to him, in fact, earlier this week on this subject and some other subjects.

Our negotiations are continuing. We are negotiating in good faith. It is a unique situation in Quebec, because the QST, a value-added tax, is completely separate and different from the GST. But we have made some progress, and I hope we will continue to make progress on the subject.

[Harmonized Sales Tax, November 3rd, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, we are in talks with Quebec's finance minister. I spoke to the minister this week. Progress has been made, but there are still a number of important issues to resolve.

[Harmonized Sales Tax, November 2nd, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, as I said yesterday in response to the same question by the hon. member, provincial taxation is a provincial responsibility in Canada.

There has been no change with respect to dealing with federal sales tax in terms of mail and courier service. It always has been a matter of destination. It was from the beginning and it still is.

[Harmonized Sales Tax, November 1st, 2010]

This is question period, Mr. Speaker, and here is the answer again.

Nothing has changed at the federal level. Provincial taxation is a provincial responsibility. For mail and courier services, the sales tax has always been applied on the basis of where the consumption takes place. This has not changed. It has always been the case.

[Harmonized Sales Tax, November 1st, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, provincial taxation is a provincial responsibility in Canada. Recently two provincial governments decided to move to a harmonized sales tax.

With respect to mail and courier services, nothing has changed at the federal level. For mail and courier services, the sales tax has always been applied on the basis of where the consumption takes place. This has not changed. It has always been the case.

[Taxation, October 28th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, emergency service volunteers do receive a $1,000 tax exemption for amounts received for their duties, and that includes emergency firefighters, of course.

That said, we listen to the concerns of volunteer firefighters across the country and take them under review.

[Veterans Affairs, October 28th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, in advance of Remembrance Day, our government is taking an important step to support the great work of the Royal Canadian Legion on behalf our veterans. Effective for this year's purchases and going forward, a 100% rebate will be provided for sales taxes paid when the Royal Canadian Legion purchases its Remembrance Day poppies and wreaths. This is the right thing to do and the least we can do for our veterans and their families who have given so much for Canada's freedom.

[Harmonized Sales Tax, October 28th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, when all else fails, the NDP can just make it up, which is what it did with that question.

The decision on these issues relating to the GST are for the provinces to make. The Province of British Columbia made a decision. It is up to that government about what it wants to do with respect to the HST.

The decision of this government was to reduce the federal sales tax, the GST, by two full percentage points.

[Harmonized Sales Tax, October 28th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, decisions with respect to the HST are for the provinces to make. What the federal government can do is what we have done, which is to reduce the GST from 7%, to 6%, to 5%. What the NDP has done in this place every time we have reduced the GST is voted against it.

This is the party that reduces taxes. The NDP is the party that likes to raise taxes, along with its coalition partner, the Liberal Party.