Kevin Sorenson

[Employment, June 2nd, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, again, this government, time after time, has taken the proper measures through budgets and other implementation measures to help provide job creators with the measures that they need to build this economy and create jobs.

We have frozen EI premiums for three years, putting $660 million back into the pockets of those small businesses and job creators, but the NDP votes against these measures. It wants to propose a $21-billion carbon tax on every small business in this country and on every Canadian.

Canadians are not buying it.

[Financial Institutions, June 2nd, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, again, Canadian consumers deserve access to credit on fair and transparent terms. We have taken measures to provide for and protect Canadians who use credit cards by banning unsolicited credit card checks, requiring clear and simple information, providing timely advance notice of rates and fee changes, limiting anti-consumer business practices, and ensuring that prepaid cards never expire.

We have done other things, like freezing EI premiums for three years that have helped, again, small businesses, and putting $660 million back into the pockets of job creators. The NDP voted against them.

[Employment, June 2nd, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, that is a bit rich coming from the New Democratic Party. It voted against the hiring tax credit in the first place. It was always meant to be a temporary measure to help small businesses during the worst economic recession since the Great Depression.

Unlike the New Democratic Party, we recognize the vital role small business plays in this economy and in the job creation they provide.

[Extension of Sitting Hours, May 26th, 2014]

Careful.

[Business of Supply, May 14th, 2014]

Mr. Chair, we have heard here tonight how the New Democratic Party disliked the tax-free savings account. We know that the New Democrats voted against the pooled registered pension plan. We know that every measure that we bring forward to encourage Canadians to save more, they vote against.

Our government believes, and we stand firm, that now is not the time to consider extra payroll taxes for every employee who is working out there. We believe that employers and employees want to take more of their pay cheque home, not leave more of it with Ottawa, not send it off anywhere else. Canadians cannot afford a higher payroll tax, and that is why we have brought forward pension income splitting. That is why we brought forward the pooled registered pension plan. That is why we brought forward the tax-free savings account. That is why we have even brought forward the target benefit plan. Every measure we bring forward, the New Democrats vote against.

[Business of Supply, May 14th, 2014]

Mr. Chair, again, we have said that this government does not believe now is the time to increase contribution levels on CPP. As we have travelled around the country, Canadians have not asked for increased payroll taxes. In fact, Canadians have said they believe it is important that they keep more money in their pockets. We believe that Canadians cannot afford higher payroll taxes. The economy still being in a fragile recovery, now is not the time to consider it.

We have very strong pension and retirement security programs here in Canada. We have brought forward measures like pension income splitting and pooled registered pension plans for the 60% of Canadians who do not have a workplace pension plan. We brought forward the tax-free savings account, so that Canadians can save more for their retirement. We are pleased to say that now more than nine million Canadians have invested in the tax-free savings accounts.

We have also done other things to help with pensions. We have brought forward consultations on a new target benefit plan, and we are excited about the possibility of new plans even tomorrow.

[Business of Supply, May 14th, 2014]

Mr. Chair, I want to thank the member for Edmonton—Leduc.

The member is correct; our government has demonstrated an unprecedented commitment to enhancing financial literacy here in Canada, and I think he can rightfully take much of the credit for the measures this government has taken. As chair of the finance committee, stepping forward with proposals through his own private member's bill, he was the push for our government to do some of the good things we have done.

We want all Canadians to have the skills they need to make solid financial choices that benefit them, just as our government has been making the right financial choices for Canada. We know that understanding the basics, such as budgeting, saving, credit, and debt, will help Canadians keep their finances in good shape.

We created the task force on financial literacy, dedicated November as Financial Literacy Month, and designated new resources to the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada. As well, the member is also right that we appointed a very good financial literacy leader, Ms. Jane Rooney, to help with the strategy across Canada.

The financial literacy leader's mandate is to collaborate and coordinate activities with stakeholders, ultimately strengthening the financial understanding of all Canadians. The financial literacy leader will also lead consultations on the development of a national financial literacy strategy that, among other things, will specifically focus on the needs of seniors. We know there are other groups as well that are vulnerable.

There is much to be done with youth. We have seen some of the things that schools across this country are doing. Again, it is because of much of what our government has moved forward on, and the member for Edmonton—Leduc can take much of that credit.

We are excited about the financial literacy in our country. We know that it is going to be a challenge and we are also excited by the number of stakeholder groups that have come forward to help us in this endeavour.

[Pensions, April 30th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, again, the NDP plan to raise CPP payroll taxes while our economy is still fragile can cost tens of thousands of jobs. Maybe the NDP does not understand how the economy works. Maybe the NDP does not understand that we want to create jobs, not watch them walk out the door.

The NDP should know that it is very difficult to have a healthy retirement plan tomorrow if we do not have a job today. Despite the NDP's reckless plans, we continue to stand up for lower taxes, job creation, and economic growth for all Canadians.

[Pensions, April 30th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, again, Canadians cannot afford to pay higher mandatory taxes at a time when we are in a very fragile global recovery.

Let me quote Susanna Cluff-Clyburne of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, who said:

The more you increase the cost of bringing employees into the workplace, it’s going to put up a barrier to creating...jobs.

Unlike the opposition, this government has been focused on creating jobs, focused on skill development, and focused on building this economy again.

[Pensions, April 30th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, the only thing the hon. member did not mention was that it includes higher taxes.

Why do New Democrats not understand that hiking CPP costs for Canadian workers and decreasing their paycheques while the economy is still fragile can kill thousands of jobs?

In fact, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business estimates that the plan put forward by the NDP's big union bosses could kill up to 235,000 jobs.

Canadians simply cannot afford higher payroll taxes. They cannot afford higher CPP payroll taxes. Canadians cannot afford the NDP.