Jim Flaherty

[Status of Women, March 9th, 2009]

I am sorry the member for Beaches—East York does not understand government process, but all policy recommendations go through a gender assessment.

That having been said, this plan is a plan for all Canadians: for men, for women, for young people in Canada, for students, for professionals, for labourers. We are for all Canadians, and all Canadians support this plan.

[Status of Women, March 9th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, as the hon. member probably knows, all the elements in Canada's economic action plan are gender-tested. That is part of the standard development of policy in the Government of Canada.

[Government Spending, March 9th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, not only do we have the plan, which is in Canada's economic action plan, but we have the process as well.

The President of the Treasury Board and I have met with the Auditor General. We have met with the Parliamentary Budget Officer. Treasury Board has been working very hard. Senior public servants in this government recognize the importance to Canadians of getting this done and getting it done promptly.

It is too bad the Liberal opposition doubts the veracity of our public servants in Canada to get this job done. They ought to be ashamed of themselves.

[Government Spending, March 9th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, it is for Canada's economic action plan. That is what it is for. It is for infrastructure spending. It is for spending for our colleges and universities.

I know the member for Wascana does not understand that, but the Canadian construction season starts in a few weeks. In April, May and June, we need this money out the door. We need it for Canadians. We need it for Canadian families. One would think the Liberal opposition would understand that. This is a serious crisis. This money needs to get out the door now, in April, May and June. I hope the Liberals will get their Liberal senators to follow that lead.

[Government Spending, March 9th, 2009]

You'll get a chance in a minute.

Canadians have seen very serious times before, Mr. Speaker, and they need a plan. We presented a plan on January 27 in this House. The Liberal opposition, including the member for Beaches—East York bellowing over there, has no plan. She has no plan, but the Liberals are endorsing our plan, as they should, because it is what Canadians need now.

They need to support the budget bill in the Liberal Senate and vote--

[Government Spending, March 9th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, as we know, we are in the midst of a global economic recession. This is a very serious time. Canadians have seen serious times before--

[Budget Implementation Act, 2009, March 3rd, 2009]

moved that the bill be concurred in.

[Taxation, March 3rd, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, the Godsoe panel took the time to examine what is in fact the practice of different countries worldwide and recommended to the government, particularly, in this time of recession, that the government take the action, which we did in the budget, in the best interests of the competitive position of Canada.

[Taxation, March 3rd, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, as is well-known, we commissioned a report, led by Peter Godsoe, the former CEO of the Bank of Nova Scotia, on this subject and the budget follows the recommendations of the report.

[The Economy, March 3rd, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, we are in the midst of a severe global recession and Canada is doing better than most countries. However, Canada is significantly affected by this recession. It is important that we get the money out there working for Canadians.

I am very heartened by the fact that the opposition critic for finance now says the act will be passed in time. I am sure that is the message that he will give to the Liberal senators in the Senate to make sure the bill is passed promptly when it goes to the Senate, I hope within a few days.