House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2011, with 58% of the vote.
Canada Pension Plan Investment Board April 28th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, as I just said, the government is in the middle of a review exercise with respect to all of the pension issues in Canada. These are complex issues and issues of significant importance for millions of Canadians, particularly given the market decline that we have seen which has affected the value of some of the pension plans. We are continuing to work on that issue.
Canada Pension Plan Investment Board April 28th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, the issue raised relates to pension plans, which is a serious issue that we are reviewing in some detail.
My parliamentary secretary has been travelling across the country consulting widely with Canadians on this subject of pensions. It is something that needs to be addressed, part of it in the relatively short term and part of it in the longer term, and we are proceeding to do that.
Automotive Industry April 28th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, we have been working hard on the access to credit through the secured credit facility.
Unlike the opposition, we are actually consulting. We are listening to the industry. We have met with the dealership representatives. We are making sure that the secured credit facility will actually work for the benefit of the industry and the people who are employed in the industry.
Goods and Services Tax April 27th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, I think the article that the hon. member is referring to was in La Presse and was authored by me. It did not set preconditions. It described the way harmonization works in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and Labrador, and how it will work in the province of Ontario. We cannot have different harmonization schemes. By definition, “harmonization” means harmonized, and we are prepared to harmonize.
As I say, I am open to discussions with the new minister of finance in Quebec. In fact, I spoke with him earlier today on another subject.
Goods and Services Tax April 27th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, I talked to Quebec's new finance minister today. We will be talking about compensation. A truly harmonized model would support investment, growth and jobs.
Financial Institutions April 22nd, 2009
Mr. Speaker, the member knows there is a regulatory power contained in the economic action plan. Regulations will be forthcoming for public consultation.
At the same time, he should know the Competition Bureau is looking into this matter as part of its responsibility to ensure adequate competition with respect to the provision of credit, credit cards, and the protection of merchants and customers.
In Canada, the issue is also being examined by committees both of this House and in the Senate, and we are monitoring these developments closely.
Financial Institutions April 21st, 2009
Mr. Speaker, the government has been taking action. We took action in the budget. It is now the law. We can go ahead and bring in regulatory measures, which we fully intend to do and which we have been working on and creating.
More than that, we are funding financial literacy in our country. Yesterday I spoke at the Federal Reserve Bank in Chicago on that subject. This is an important educational opportunity for Canadians in which our government is investing millions, not only with respect to consumer protection but also with respect to ensuring that Canadians have the knowledge they need to properly inform themselves when they look at financial and credit products.
Financial Institutions April 21st, 2009
I hear the member say that we have done nothing. We have actually done quite bit. If he stays tuned, he will see that.
Financial Institutions April 21st, 2009
Mr. Speaker, once again, the hon. member from the New Democratic Party is advocating for something that the party voted against. We put in the budget this year and in the bill a provision to give the Minister of Finance and the government the regulatory power with respect to credit cards. We are working on that.
Goods and Services Tax April 21st, 2009
The plain fact, Mr. Speaker, is the Government of Quebec is collecting the GST for the Government of Canada and is being paid $130 million a year to do that job.
This is about economic growth in Canada. That is why New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador and now the province of Ontario have all negotiated with the federal government and arrived at a harmonized tax system.
This is in the best interest of people who work in Quebec. That is why I look forward to continuing discussions with the Government of Quebec.