Joe Oliver

[The Economy, January 26th, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, there is no difference in our economic forecast. We base it on private sector economists, all 15 of them. We take the average, and that is what we base our projections on.

Last week the leader of the Liberal Party told the hundreds of thousands of people working in the manufacturing sector that they should find another job. He has turned his back on manufacturing just at the moment that the manufacturing sector is emerging from the recession. It is the worst possible message to send to—

[The Economy, January 26th, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, when I presented the economic and fiscal action plan, we based our results, our bottom line, on the price then. We made an adjustment of $2.5 billion, and when we present our budget we will take into account the 15 private sector economists, as we always do, and will base our projections on their projections.

What we are saying to Canadians is that they should be reassured that we have a strong economy. We will balance the budget and we will honour our commitments.

[The Economy, January 26th, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, Canadians understand that we have a highly diversified economy. The manufacturing sector is something that we are proud of and that will continue to be an important contributor to the Canadian economy. It will be advantaged now by several things: the decline in energy prices and the fact that more growth will come to the global economy, particularly the U.S. economy.

We have a plan. The plan has created 1.2 million net new jobs. We have reduced taxes for Canadians. The last thing that Canada needs now is a high-tax plan, a bureaucratic plan, which will drive us—

[The Economy, January 26th, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, our growth rate is higher than that of most G7 countries.

The Bank of Canada itself has said that our economic growth will be superior to 2%. The IMF actually was more optimistic: it said 2.3%. We will honour our commitments to the provinces to increase our transfer payments, we will honour our promises to four million Canadian families, we will honour our promises to 780,000 small businesses, and we will balance our budget.

[Intergovernmental Affairs, December 10th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, we will balance the budget and grant long-term transfers to the provinces and territories.

Federal support has reached historic levels of $65 billion and will continue to grow every year. Federal support for health, education and social services has increased by nearly 56% since we formed the government. We will make the necessary changes to ensure that transfers grow in line with the economy.

[Taxation, December 10th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, as I explained before in French, we do an analysis of every single proposal.

It was not necessary to do an employment count because there were many other reasons to go ahead with this excellent initiative that will benefit 780,000 small businesses, some 90% of all businesses.

Everybody knows that increased taxes are a killer for employment, and we have done the right thing for small business and the Canadian economy.

[Taxation, December 10th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, the Department of Finance carries out thorough analyses of each measure that we propose, and it analyzed the small business job credit.

Small businesses made it very clear that their payroll taxes are the biggest obstacle to employment across Canada. Canadians know that the Liberals and New Democrats would raise taxes for job creators, which would hurt our economy.

[The Economy, November 26th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday the International Monetary Fund's mission to Canada applauded our Conservative government for the progress we have made in eliminating deficits and for our actions to reduce taxes for hard-working Canadian families. The IMF also said that our measures to ensure the long-term sustainability of the housing market were effective. The report is further evidence that our economic action plan is doing very well. Canadians can be proud.

[The Budget, November 20th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, the Liberals really have no shame. When they were in power, they raided the EI fund of $60 billion and used it as a political slush fund. What we are doing is providing benefits to 780,000 small businesses, 90% of all businesses. They will benefit. They will create jobs. It will be fair for them and good for the economy.

[Employment Insurance, November 20th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, I was very pleased to present to Canadians our economic and fiscal plan, which shows how well Canada is doing in a fragile world. We are doing better than other countries. Our economy is growing better. Our 1.2 million new jobs is better. We have half the debt-to-GDP ratio of the G7. We have a AAA rating. Next year, we will have a surplus. We have already been able to give four million Canadian families tax breaks, tax breaks that they need. Also, 780,000 small businesses will—