House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2011, with 58% of the vote.
Equalization Payments February 2nd, 2009
Mr. Speaker, the O'Brien formula enunciated certain principles which are being followed. One of the concerns in the O'Brien formula, with due respect to the Liberal member from Newfoundland and Labrador who is creating a great bit of noise here, is a recognition of commodities prices and the variabilities in commodities prices. We have to be realistic about that in the interests of our country, our whole country, not just Newfoundland and Labrador.
Equalization Payments February 2nd, 2009
Mr. Speaker, I am not sure if there was a question, but if it is a question about the fairness of equalization--
Equalization Payments February 2nd, 2009
Mr. Speaker, what the budget implementation bill will not be used for will be to permit one province to have unrestrained payments. We are calling on all of the provinces to be reasonable, that the growth in equalization payments will be equal to the rate of growth in the economy without exception, including Newfoundland and Labrador.
If the member from British Columbia does not understand the issue, I invite him to my office immediately after question period where we are having a briefing of the Liberal opposition on that precise issue.
Equalization Payments February 2nd, 2009
Mr. Speaker, certainly one of the principles involved in equalization is that all provinces should be treated equally. That is indeed what we are doing. It is not open to one province to elect to have unrestrained growth of equalization sharing payments, whether it is through the accords or through formal equalization. That is exactly what is being suggested by the province of Newfoundland and Labrador.
We believe in fairness across the board in Canada. That is why growth in the accord incomes and in equalization is fair--
Equalization Payments January 29th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, as I pointed out earlier, Newfoundland and Labrador will still receive a projected $1.2 billion in offset payments between 2009-10 and 2011-12. It is still open to the government of Newfoundland and Labrador if it chooses to enter into the O'Brien formula, as has been done by others.
Equalization Payments January 29th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, the agreement was reached with the premier of Nova Scotia. It follows on our discussions at the beginning of November 2008. The commitment of our government was that we would ensure that total cash payments in 2009-10 are no lower than in 2008-09. I have already read to the House the approval of the premier of Nova Scotia. I can assure the member opposite that the sum involved is budgeted.
Equalization Payments January 29th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, in November 2008 we took steps to restrain equalization to prevent the program from becoming unsustainable. We stated then that we would ensure that total cash payments in 2009-10 are no lower than those of 2008-09. As a result of the new growth plan, the federal government and Nova Scotia agreed on a transition payment. Nova Scotia's government has accepted this agreement and has indicated its satisfaction with it. It does not affect the equalization payments of any other province. As Premier MacDonald said, “We're still receiving the $75 million. There is no clawback. We are receiving the full amount.”
Equalization Payments January 29th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, I commend to the member opposite the section on equalization in the budget. It is at page 189 and the subsequent pages. He should look at the chart on page 35 and look at the remarkable increases in equalization payments and transfers to the provinces.
This is a wonderful book. It is a great read in the evenings. I commend it to the member opposite. He will be edified by reading it.
Equalization Payments January 29th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, as I am sure the member opposite knows, transfers are not being cut. In fact, the transfers this year from the Government of Canada to the provinces will be in excess of $50 billion.
Equalization itself has grown more than 50% since 2003-04. These are major transfers to the provinces. Unlike the official opposition, we will not reduce transfers for health care. We will not reduce transfers for the CST for colleges and universities. We will not fight this recession on the backs of the provinces, universities—
Equalization Payments January 29th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, there are no side deals. The accords are being followed.
As the Premier of Nova Scotia indicated, he is comfortable with the reality that no province would get less in 2009-10. This is not news. This was discussed publicly on November 3, 2008, and we have kept that commitment to the province of Nova Scotia, as the premier has acknowledged.
The province of Newfoundland and Labrador will receive $1.2 billion in offset payments between 2009-10 and 2011-12, and this is even—