House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2015, with 59% of the vote.
Taxation March 26th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, I would like to tell the hon. member that these investment funds will continue to exist and that small investors in Quebec and the rest of Canada will be able to invest in these funds through RRSPs.
We have also created other products for small investors, such as the tax-free savings account, which is useful to them. We stand with small investors because we know that when they have money, they can create wealth, and that jobs and wealth are important.
Taxation March 25th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, I would like to respond to that question by reminding my colleague of something. Ms. Hébert, of the Montreal-based Canadian Federation of Independent Business, said that our budget deserved a B, simply because we are not increasing taxes on small businesses, because we are listening to entrepreneurs and because we are ensuring that the tax burden is not being placed on the shoulders of investors.
We are aware that entrepreneurs are the ones who will drive future economic growth. This budget is pro-business and pro-consumer. The Bloc Québécois is out of arguments.
Taxation March 25th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, my opposition colleague is once again providing false information.
It is not 60% of the money that is invested in small business start-ups in Quebec but 11%. The FTQ fund has enough money to meet that need and increase its percentage of funding for small businesses in Quebec.
I would like to tell my colleague that our budget does what Quebeckers asked us to do: it does not increase taxes.
We are balancing the budget. It is unfortunate that the members of the opposition are always pushing for more taxes.
Taxation March 25th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, I am not surprised by what my opposition colleague is saying because, as usual, the NDP believes what it hears from Quebec's big union bosses.
Clearly, this tax credit was not doing what it was supposed to. As we speak, the funds are overcapitalized. What is more, only 11% of the money is really being invested in the development of small businesses in Quebec.
Tourism Industry March 19th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, the government has already taken action. I would like to point out to the hon. member that we announced a national tourism policy a few months ago. This policy has been successful. In the last 13 quarters, tourism spending has increased in Canada. If we look at the 2011 numbers in comparison to the 2012 numbers, the number of visitors from the United States and overseas has increased.
Firearms Registry December 7th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, when evaluating public policy, we must evaluate the outcomes, not the intentions.
On this side of the House, we know that the gun registry did not save lives in Canada. That is why we want to keep one of our election promises and abolish it. That is what we are going to do.
As for the Government of Quebec, it is free to create its own registry if it wants to. As far as we are concerned, this is not a way to save lives.
Minister of State for Small Business and Tourism December 5th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, the opposition is making a mountain out of a molehill.
I want to be very clear and reassure the members of the opposition that I never carry any government documents in my private car. My personnel and I follow all of the directives concerning Government of Canada documents.
Minister of State for Small Business and Tourism December 5th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, once again, the opposition is trying to create a tempest in a teapot.
I would like to reassure my opposition colleagues that I never carry government documents in my personal vehicle. I would also like to tell official opposition members that my staff and I follow all the Government of Canada document security guidelines.
Small Business November 28th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, the plan is really simple and it is working.
The plan is to lower taxes to allow entrepreneurs to make their dreams a reality. We must free entrepreneurs so that they can spend more time doing what they want—and that is building their businesses—instead of filling out government forms.
The plan includes listening to entrepreneurs, as I did in Montreal yesterday when I met with Startup Canada, and encouraging young people to become entrepreneurs.
My time is up, but I would like to be asked this question again so that I can provide more information.
Tourism Industry November 21st, 2012
Mr. Speaker, just today, I had the honour of meeting with some entrepreneurs from the Canadian tourism industry.
I can assure this House that these people are very proud to work in that industry. They are creating jobs and wealth in Canada. This $78 billion industry has enjoyed steady growth for the past three years in a row.
Our tourism industry is doing fine, and I am proud to represent it.