Maxime Bernier

[The Budget, April 22nd, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday we tabled a balanced budget that lowers taxes for all Canadians. I remind the opposition that it wants to increase taxes for the middle class, seniors and small businesses.

On this side of the House, we know that we can create wealth by lowering taxes for people and putting money back in their pockets. That is quite clear and that is what is most important. The opposition believes in and even glorifies big government, and it puts down Canadians. We believe in Canadians, and we are putting money back in their pockets.

[Petitions, March 23rd, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, I am honoured, pursuant to Standing Order 36, to present four petitions signed by my constituents in Beauce.

The petitioners are calling on the Canadian government to protect the rights of small farmers in the global south to preserve, use and freely exchange seeds, which would enable them to combat hunger and poverty in these countries.

[Housing, February 6th, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, I am a bit disappointed in the question from my colleague since she should know that this matter falls under provincial jurisdiction. This government respects the jurisdictions. The provinces are capable of working in their own jurisdictions. What is more, in 2011, the Government of Quebec launched a program to address this issue.

I would tell the people affected by this problem to contact the Société d'habitation du Québec.

[Telecommunications, February 6th, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, I do not think my colleague has been following the debates in the House or has read the bills we introduced recently. In fact, we have a program that has existed for a few years now to help bring Internet access to northern communities and other communities in Canada that do not have it.

It is important that Canadians have Internet access, and under our government, we put this program in place to ensure that they do. I invite my colleague to look into the Industry Canada program. She will see that high-speed Internet access is available to all Canadians.

[Employment, February 6th, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to respond to my colleague's question.

Quite simply, we see that the NDP's plan will not work. Their plan requires more spending and will put Canadians further into debt. The Government of Canada's debt will be paid by these people, by workers. We know that workers need more money in their pockets to stimulate the economy.

That being said, our plan is working very well because it is creating jobs. A total of 1.2 million net new jobs have been created since the recession. We will continue in that direction in order to create jobs and lower taxes for all Canadians.

[Employment, January 30th, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, the real fact is that we have created more than one million net new jobs since the last recession. That is the reality.

This is the reality because we know it is the business sector that creates jobs and we have the right policies for entrepreneurs. It is not only me saying that. KPMG stated that the total business tax costs in Canada were the lowest in the G7, 46% lower than those in the United States.

When we have lower taxes and when we give money to entrepreneurs, they will create jobs and wealth in our country.

[Employment, January 30th, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, that is what we have been doing since 2006. However, I would remind my colleague that the NDP voted against our budgets and our proposals to help the manufacturing sector.

For example, the NDP voted against cutting the 15% corporate income tax rate, the return of the accelerated capital cost allowance program for small business, the automotive innovation fund, the implementation of the national shipbuilding procurement strategy, and so many other initiatives. They vote against proposals that create wealth in Canada.

[Employment, January 30th, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, the opposition is talking as if Canada were in a recession. We are not in a recession. There is economic growth in Canada and businesses are creating jobs.

Just for example, Ford is creating 1,000 new jobs and has secured 2,000 jobs at its plant in Oakville. I have also the investment for Linamar, which will create 1,000 new jobs and maintain nearly 7,000 new jobs over 10 years. These are only two companies, but I have a long list here.

The goal is to explain to the NDP that when we lower taxes and give money to businesses—

[Intergovernmental Affairs, January 30th, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, if the NDP had read the last budget, they would not ask this type of question. Our economic plan is working very well.

What is more, I would like to tell our opposition colleagues that Dan Kelly, the president of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, said that the NDP's plan was dumb and anti-business. That is what people in the private sector are saying about the NDP's plan and they are right. Their plan will not create wealth.

[Employment, January 30th, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, that is not the case.

The company made a very clear commitment to us. The head office will be in Oakville, Ontario, and the number of restaurants in Canada will increase. What does that do? It creates more jobs for people in that industry. The new company will keep all of Tim Hortons' commitments to the Canadian community.

It is a good investment for Canada that creates jobs.