Kevin Sorenson

[The Budget, February 10th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, we clearly do not want Canadians to be overextended. We have cautioned Canadians repeatedly that interest rates are at an all-time low and will inevitably increase. Our priority is to ensure that Canadians can make informed financial decisions.

She quoted the IMF. Let me quote from the report:

The Canadian economy strengthened in 2013.... Economic growth is expected to accelerate....

It also went on to say:

Executive Directors commended the authorities for their continued sound macroeconomic and financial sector management.

We have had a long-term plan. The long-term plan is working—

[The Budget, February 10th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, under the action taken by our Conservative government, Canada will continue to have one of the lowest unemployment rates in the G7 and one of the lowest youth unemployment rates in the G7.

In fact, since 2006, our government has helped put 2.1 million young Canadians back to work through job training and skills development. Despite this action, we recognize that more can be done. We look forward to the budget tomorrow.

[Employment, February 10th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, 160 times this government has lowered taxes. Every time, the opposition parties have voted against them. We have frozen the EI premiums, the payroll tax. The opposition voted against it. With regard to tax cuts for manufacturers, the opposition voted against it.

The budget comes tomorrow. I would encourage the opposition to wait until tomorrow. It will find that this budget will help create jobs, bring us to balance in 2015, and it will keep our taxes low.

[Intergovernmental Relations, February 10th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, all through and across this country, we have heard from Canadians that they want us to continue on the program to help create jobs and to build this economy. Even though the global economy remains fragile, especially in the United States and Europe, our economic policies have helped to protect Canada. There have been over one million net new jobs created since July 2009. Of those jobs, 85% are full-time jobs, and over 80% of them are in the private sector.

The IMF and the OECD say that Canada has a plan and it is working.

[The Budget, February 10th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, again, it is a bit rich for the Liberal Party of Canada to criticize our government's record on job creation. Again, like the other opposition party, Liberals have voted against every job creation measure that this government has brought forward.

We froze the EI rates to provide certainty and flexibility to workers and employers. We cut taxes for manufacturers so they could purchase new equipment and invest back in their own businesses. We have provided $70 billion in job creation infrastructure.

The budget is tomorrow. I would encourage that member to have patience until tomorrow.

[Consumer Protection, February 10th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, our government has provided record support for low-income Canadians. For example, we have lowered the taxes 160 times in Canada. The average family of four now has $3,400 more in its pockets each year. In fact, we have removed one million low-income Canadians from the tax rolls altogether.

Every time we have made any movement, this government—I mean, this opposition party—has voted against this government's initiatives.

[Consumer Protection, February 10th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, every year the NDP comes with certain demands. It is usually a day or two before the budget is brought down. Each time the NDP's demands are that we pick the pockets of Canadians. This government is more concerned about putting money back into the pockets of Canadians.

We have long spoken of consumer and household debt. We understand that interest rates inevitably will go up. We would remind Canadians to make certain that they keep their households in the black, as our government is going to keep this book in the black.

[Fair Elections Act, February 6th, 2014]

I'll buy you dinner when all of you pay it back.

[Fair Elections Act, February 6th, 2014]

He'll buy you dinner when everyone pays them back.

[Canada-U.S. Relations, February 6th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, what I can tell the hon. member is that the agreement that was negotiated over a great period of time is much better than having no agreement at all.

To be clear, the agreement will not impose any new or higher taxes, and the CRA will not assist the IRS in the collection of United States' tax penalties.