John Baird

[Tourism Industry, September 29th, 2006]

Again, Mr. Speaker, I do not think we are doing enough to assist in this regard. The very best thing we can do is reduce the GST one more percent, something this government plans to do.

[Tourism Industry, September 29th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, only 3% of visitors to Canada took advantage of this program; 97% of visitors to Canada did not take advantage of this program.

We brought in a huge tax cut to help spur investment, to help spur consumer spending in Canada. That was called a 15% reduction in the goods and services tax.

[Government Programs, September 29th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, I said no such thing.

[Government Programs, September 29th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, we believe that when we spend upwards of $40 billion to $45 billion a year providing education and training to young Canadians and adults through school boards across the country, that it is not too much to ask that when people graduate from high school that they be literate.

[Access to Information, September 29th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, it is passing strange to get a lecture on accountability from a member of the Liberal Party opposite. Every member of the Liberal Party voted against opening up access to information last November. Every Liberal wanted to keep the cloak of secrecy there.

When this government tried to open up and provide a little bit of light at the Canadian Wheat Board by making it subject to access to information, every Liberal in the House stood and voted for darkness and secrecy.

We will proceed with accountability and we will proceed--

[Government Programs, September 28th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, I said absolutely no such thing. What I did hear a member opposite on the front benches of the Liberal Party say was that in his party he faced bigotry and discrimination as a new Canadian.

Why has not one member of the Liberal Party stood up for the comments made by the member for Eglinton—Lawrence?

[Public Accounts of Canada 2005-06, September 28th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, Canada's new government is committed to openness, transparency and accountability. Today will be the first time in 25 years that the Public Accounts of Canada are being tabled publicly in the House of Commons.

Therefore, it gives me great honour to table, in both official languages, the Public Accounts of Canada for 2005-06.

[Government Programs, September 27th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, I have a great quote here talking about the billions of dollars in taxpayers' money, and I quote, “Nothing starts a feeding frenzy more than the smell of cash around Liberal backbenchers”. Who said that? The member for Kings—Hants.

[Government Programs, September 27th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, those of us on this side of the House were a bit concerned. We had a $13.2 billion surplus and--

[Government Programs, September 27th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, I can tell the House what the government will do. We will ensure that every tax dollar is spent wisely and well. We will ensure we spend tax dollars efficiently, effectively, responsibly and accountably, which is the type of spending this country has not seen in a very long time.