Joe Oliver

[Business of Supply, May 25th, 2015]

Mr. Chair, with the help of Canada's economic action plan, Canada's economy has seen one of the best economic performances among all G7 countries.

As we have repeatedly said, however, Canada is not immune to global economic challenges beyond our borders. That is why economic action plan 2015 continues to focus upon supporting job creation and economic growth, while returning Canada to balance.

Of the 1.2 million jobs created from July 2009 to April 2015, more than 90% have been full time, 80% in the private sector and almost 60% in high-wage industries.

[Business of Supply, May 25th, 2015]

Mr. Chair, as the member opposite should know and perhaps does, what we do is take the average of 15 private sector economists' forecasts. If there are some outliers, we may adjust for that, but we do not independently arrive at the forecast. These are the forecasts of some of the most expert economic academicians and practitioners in the entire country. They are the ones whose estimates we rely on.

[Business of Supply, May 25th, 2015]

Mr. Chair, the lapse included in fiscal projections in budget 2015 reflect an estimate of planned spending that does not proceed in any given year.

Lapses in department spending are to be expected. They result from factors such as lower-than-expected costs for programming and revised schedules for implementation of initiatives.

The lapse expected in 2014-15 is $7.2 billion, in line with that recorded in 2013-14.

[Taxation, May 14th, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, third time lucky; those members may actually vote for the budget. If they want me to answer more questions, they should pose them.

Our government is proud that we will be be bringing small business taxes to 9%. This means cutting federal taxes to almost one half. It will be the biggest decrease in 25 years.

However, the Liberal leader said that he would kill jobs by reversing these cuts. Then his finance critic later contradicted him. Did he go off script again, or is he scrambling to fill a massive hole in his discredited plan, a hole that is getting bigger with every—

[Economic Action Plan 2015 Act, No. 1, May 14th, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, I would rather discuss the bill. As I said, our government is focused on what matters to Canadians and on helping the middle class by reducing the tax burden and securing Canada's long-term prosperity. Economic action plan 2015 will provide benefits directly to families, create jobs, stimulate economic growth and improve Canadians' security, all while helping us return to a balanced budget. I am very proud of that.

[Economic Action Plan 2015 Act, No. 1, May 14th, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, we will continue to communicate with Canadians and provide them with the information they need to access the benefits we are offering them. By way of example, there are some 200,000 Canadians who have a right to some of the family benefits being offered, in particular young families, who have a right to have access to the universal childcare benefit but are not registered. We need to provide them with that information.

With respect to the Canada Labour Code, we are providing more benefits to interns. We are providing job matching. We are providing loans to students, and we are reducing the dependency on parents' contributions. We are doing a great deal for youth right across this country.

[Economic Action Plan 2015 Act, No. 1, May 14th, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, and so it goes on. The opposition members do not want to discuss the bill, they want to discuss the fact that they cannot discuss the bill. However, we want to discuss the specific measures that will benefit Canadians, the four million Canadian families, seniors and the middle class.

The fact remains that the previous Liberal government amended dozens and dozens of different legislative measures. Let us be clear: the opposition members do not really care about studying the bill in committee; they would rather stop the vital economic reforms that the bill contains.

[Economic Action Plan 2015 Act, No. 1, May 14th, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, we have continually heard, throughout the past half-hour, complaints from the opposition that there is no opportunity to debate. Perhaps if the opposition members asked questions on the measures in this bill we could discuss them in a little more depth. However, all they want to talk about is the fact that they do not have an opportunity to talk, while they are talking.

Our government is focused on what matters to Canadians: helping them make ends meet by lowering taxes and securing Canada's long-term prosperity. We are supporting a balanced budget. We are supporting lower taxes. We are supporting incentives for manufacturers. We are reducing the small business tax rate. We are reducing the minimum withdrawal rate for RRIFs. We are doubling the TFSA. We are introducing the home accessibility tax credit. We are introducing a new retirement income security benefit and a compassionate care benefit, and we are providing the needed resources for our brave men and women in uniform.

[Economic Action Plan 2015 Act, No. 1, May 14th, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for that significant question and for his commitment to seniors in Oakville, and indeed around the country.

I am pleased to assure the member that with budget 2015, we are introducing a new home accessibility tax credit to provide seniors with the ability to stay in their homes longer, if they choose.

We are also giving seniors more choice when it comes to managing their retirement income by reducing the minimum withdrawal requirements for registered retirement income funds.

What is more, we are proudly increasing the tax-free savings account annual contribution limit to $10,000. About 600,000 seniors across Canada aged 65 and over with incomes below $60,000 are currently maxing out their TFSA room. This is a measure that will primarily benefit low- and middle-income Canadians.

This is a very important venture, and these initiatives will benefit seniors right across Canada.

[Economic Action Plan 2015 Act, No. 1, May 14th, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, I am proud that our government has transferred to the provinces and territories record amounts. In fact, since we took office, the amount has increased by 63% over that of the previous government. There has been funding for health care, funding for social programs, and funding for equalization. There is also money for social housing. We have brought down taxes for all Canadians and have taken one million Canadians off the tax rolls. Our Prime Minister has placed a priority on the north that we have never seen before in Canadian history, and we are all proud of that.