Joe Oliver

[Consumer Protection, October 29th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, the NDP always wants more legislation and higher fees for Canadians.

Our government is working with stakeholders on a voluntary approach to reduce credit fees for merchants while encouraging them to lower prices for consumers. This is the right way to proceed.

[Consumer Protection, October 29th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, our government is working with stakeholders on a voluntary approach to reduce credit fees for merchants while encouraging them to lower prices for consumers.

We also heard the concerns of small business and introduced a code of conduct. The code has been welcomed by consumers and by industry groups, especially small businesses. However, the NDP voted against the code and against supporting small businesses and consumers.

[Employment Insurance, October 29th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, by now everyone understands that the Liberal plan is an incentive for companies to fire employees. Let me talk a little more about our budget plan. The budget bill supports amateur athletes. It makes the tax system simpler and fairer for farming and fishing businesses. It makes it easier for charities to raise funds by easing tax rules. It improves competition in telecommunications markets by allowing regulators to impose monetary penalties on companies that violate rules such as the Wireless Code. It has a great deal to—

[Employment Insurance, October 29th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, it is the Liberals' back-of-the-envelope plan that would actually reduce jobs by encouraging companies to fire people.

Let me quote from the CFIB about our plan. It said, “It's a big, big deal for small businesses. It's good news for people looking for jobs.”

It will lower payroll taxes by 15%. It will create 25,000 person-years of jobs. It will impact 90% of businesses. Some 780,000 businesses will benefit from this plan. That is in contrast to the 45-day work year, which will cost—

[The Budget, October 29th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, our government is focused on what matters most to Canadians: jobs and economic growth. More than 1.1 million net new jobs have been created since the depths of the recession, over 80% full-time, nearly 80% in the private sector.

We are taking action in our budget implementation plan to create opportunities right across the country for small businesses, large businesses, and employees. We are making life more affordable for Canadian families by doubling the children's tax credit to $1,000. We are ending pay-to-pay billing practices and we are doing a great deal more.

[The Budget, October 29th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, our hiring credit for small business will cut employment insurance payroll costs by 15% and will help businesses save more than $550 million.

The CFIB says that the credit will create 25,000 person-years of employment. We are reducing payroll costs for 90% of businesses.

The Liberals and the NDP support a 40- to 45-day work year.

[Consumer Protection, October 28th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, as I already said, for credit cards and other statements that show a payment owing, all major banks are mailing bills to their customers without charge.

Let me quote John Lawford of the Public Interest Advocacy Centre. He said, “Consumers are clearly opposed to paying for paper bills and the federal government has clearly committed to ‘eliminating’ these charges.”

[Consumer Protection, October 28th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, in the 2013 throne speech and 2014 budget, the government promised to put an end to pay-to-pay billing practices. Canadian consumers should not have to pay more to receive paper statements. Major banks do not charge clients for any credit card statements or other statements indicating amounts owing.

[Infrastructure, October 28th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, I am glad that the member of the opposition understands the strong fiscal situation of our country. Federal debt to GDP is one-third. It will go down to one-quarter by 2021, and it could decrease even more.

We have a strong fiscal situation, and that is why we have introduced the longest and largest infrastructure program in Canadian history, some $70 billion, of which $53 billion will go to the provinces and municipalities.

[Employment Insurance, October 28th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, I think perhaps the NDP member is thinking of the previous Liberal government, which increased EI premiums to $65 billion and then used them as a slush fund. The Liberals raided and completely wiped it out. This is not something we will do.

The NDP also supported a 45-day work year that would drastically increase premiums by 35% at a cost of $44 billion. Unlike the opposition—