Kevin Sorenson

[Finance, June 10th, 2014]

Again, Mr. Speaker, under this government, over one million low-income Canadians, including 380,000 seniors, have been completely removed from the tax rolls in this country. Since we have come to office, we have cut taxes 180 times, reducing the overall tax burden to its lowest level in 50 years. As we approach the next budget, again, we will be looking for measures that will continue to lower taxes for Canadian families, help create jobs, and build this economy.

[Finance, June 10th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, our Prime Minister said that income splitting is a good policy for Canadian seniors, and it will be a good policy for Canadian families. Once the budget is balanced, we are committed to continuing to look for greater tax relief for all Canadians. As a result of our low-tax plan, the average Canadian family of four right now has $3,400 extra in its pockets in 2014. It is because this government has a low-tax plan that helps build jobs, create jobs, and the NDP have a high-tax plan that will take money from Canadians.

[Consumer Protection, June 6th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, we are bringing forward consumer measures that would help Canadians keep more money in their pockets, unlike the NDP, which only talks about protecting consumers.

It is our Conservative government that has actually taken action. We have banned unsolicited credit card cheques, limited anti-consumer business practices, and ensured that prepaid credit cards never expire. We have also introduced rules requiring clear disclosure of terms on credit card contracts and applications.

Sadly, the NDP has opposed all of our efforts to protect those Canadian consumers.

[Consumer Protection, June 6th, 2014]

Again, Mr. Speaker, we want all Canadians to keep more money in their pockets. Through our National Consumer Agency, we have made it easier than ever for Canadians to shop around for low to no-cost banking solutions. In fact, only two weeks ago, the Minister of Finance moved forward with the banks on low to no-cost banking options. Recently we announced an agreement for more than seven million Canadians that improves low-cost options for them. We also continue to work with the provinces to ensure that these services are appropriately regulated.

[Employment, June 6th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, we know that the job numbers can be volatile from month to month, but let me say this. The IMF and the OECD have confidence in Canada's economy. These international bodies believe that Canada has one of the strongest growth records as far as jobs are concerned and also as far as our economies are concerned in years going ahead.

It is quite rich for the Liberal Party to be criticizing our government's job creation legislation and efforts. The Liberals voted against every job creation measure that this government has brought forward. Whether it is freezing the EI rates or tax cuts for the manufacturing sector, every time the Liberals will vote against it.

[Employment, June 6th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, even though the global economy remains fragile, our economic policies have kept Canada's economy strong. Since coming to office in 2006, Canada has had the strongest job growth of any in the G7 countries, that is, the most industrial countries in the world.

Since coming to power, the Conservative Party and this government have led all other G7 countries in economic growth. Over one million net new jobs have been created since the deepest part of the recession. By far, the overwhelming number of these jobs are full-time jobs in the private sector.

[Intergovernmental Relations, June 5th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, federal support to Quebec is at an all-time high. Quebec will receive over $19.6 billion in federal transfers this year, an increase of nearly 64% from under the old Liberal government. These transfers include nearly $9.3 billion in equalization payments, an increase of $4.4 billion, or 94%, since 2006, and over $7.4 billion through the Canada health transfer, an increase of $2.3 billion from the Liberal days.

Clearly, nothing has been cut. We are protecting social transfers. We are protecting the—

[Finance, June 5th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, sound finances are the best contribution that any government can make to promote strong economic growth. Balanced budgets keep taxes low, ensure and inspire investor confidence, and ensure that essential services remain strong for all Canadians.

Yesterday I was very pleased to see that the Quebec government has committed to eliminating its deficit. We encourage all provinces and territories to follow our government's leadership and take the necessary steps to keep or to put their finances on a sustainable—

[Economic Action Plan 2014 Act, No. 1, June 5th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, during the global downturn, the government invested in Canada. We have invested in infrastructure, with an investment that Canada has never seen before from the federal government. We decided it was important to invest in long-term infrastructure that would help build prosperity and create jobs. Indeed, that is what we have seen.

We are investing in things like bridges in Montreal. Would the member for Hochelaga be opposed to that? We are seeing a huge investment into her province of Quebec. Is she going to vote against that?

[Economic Action Plan 2014 Act, No. 1, June 5th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, no, we are thankful that God put that under the ground. We are pleased for all our resources in our country. We are pleased for the things that we appreciate in our great country.

Again, the Liberals have asked a question and have taken us down memory lane. They have taken us down this walk through history of the times, 20 years ago, when they came in and did some things.

We have had a global recession. The downturn in Canada was not because of the Liberals. It was not because of our government. The global downturn was worldwide. It perhaps began in the United States and moved to Europe. The whole world was in recession. Canada was the last to enter it and the first to come out of the recession.

Thanks to the economic action plan, Canada has enjoyed the strongest economic performance during both the recession and the recovery. It is the truth that over a million jobs have been created, over 85% full-time jobs, 80% in the private sector, since July 2009.

The member talked about the world. The IMF and the OECD both project that Canada will have the strongest growth among the G7. That is because of our government.