Paul Martin

[The Economy, October 3rd, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, we are certainly aware of the contribution made by small and medium size businesses. This is why the taxation level for these businesses is much lower than for other companies.

This is also why, in the last budget, we improved the tax system for small and medium size businesses. This being said, I have already had meetings on this issue, and small and medium size businesses are the first ones to say that they do not want us to generate another deficit through spending.

Looking at our figures, one can see that this is precisely what we want to avoid.

[The Economy, October 3rd, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Human Resources Development announced improvements to the employment insurance program. This is direct assistance to employees.

The member mentioned the $13 billion surplus. He will have to consider the impact in the third and fourth quarters of this year. I would love to say that there will be no impact on the surplus, but unfortunately, such is not the case.

[The Economy, October 3rd, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, the government is certainly prepared to consider anything that will help Canadians.

For example, the President of the Treasury Board said she was open to the idea of accelerating the infrastructure program, if a suitable arrangement could be worked out with the provinces.

As well, the Minister of Transport said he would help the airlines.

I can well understand the Bloc Quebecois leader's desire to help Canadians, but I can assure him that the Canadian government is taking action.

[National Security, October 2nd, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, again, if one takes a look at the facts, the Canadian government has cut taxes substantially more than the combination of all provinces put together. At the same time we have invested more in infrastructure. We have invested more in those things that will stimulate the economy.

In terms of Mr. Harris' tax cuts, I certainly hope that accelerating the cut by two months works. We wish them the best of luck. The fact is that each government must make its decisions.

Our decisions are related to the necessity of making sure that interest rates can continue to come down and that we can fund the national security projects we are trying to have done.

[The Economy, October 2nd, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, the member needs to look at the facts. Tax cuts introduced this year by the Government of Canada are four times greater than the tax cuts announced by the president of the United States.

Whether you look at measures we have taken to put our fiscal house in order, or investments in infrastructure, so far, the Government of Canada has acted more quickly and more substantially than the American government.

[The Economy, October 2nd, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, the tax cuts announced in the October mini budget continue: $17 billion this year. The hon. member voted against that.

The $35 billion drop in the national debt, which means a $2.5 billion saving yearly, continues month after month, year after year. The hon. member voted against that.

Looking at such measures as the infrastructure program to which the Prime Minister has referred, that is continuing, is in place, and we want it to be stepped up. As for the measures announced by the minister—

[The Economy, October 1st, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to hear the hon. member's reference to last October's mini budget, which placed Canada in the forefront as far as most industrialized countries are concerned.

Not only did those cheques go out to Canadian families, but at the same time there was a tax cut of $100 billion over five years. We have seen the most significant decrease in the Canadian debt in the history of our country, which puts another $2.5 billion into the pockets of Canadians every year.

[The Economy, October 1st, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, when we see the actions taken by the Bank of Canada, the 50 base point drop in interest rates ten days ago, the actions taken by the Minister of Human Resources Development in improving the EI system, when we look at the infrastructure program being pushed ahead by the government and the President of Treasury Board, we see that the Canadian government is meeting the needs of Canada's workers.

[Canadian Banks, September 28th, 2001]

Yes, Mr. Speaker. I can confirm that the legislation applies to Canadian banks everywhere, both within and outside our borders. I can also tell the member that, this week, the Canadian Bankers' Association issued a press release in which it said very clearly that it would co-operate 100% with the request from the government and from the United Nations.

[Terrorism, September 28th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, if the hon. member would simply read the communiqué from the Canadian Bankers Association he would see that in fact the government has taken action, that Canadian banks have taken action and that they took it forthwith. I simply would read it:

Banks in Canada are complying with Canadian law enforcement agencies (the RCMP) under the laws of Canada and will continue to co-operate in the efforts against terrorism by reviewing records and providing relevant information to appropriate Canadian law enforcement agencies.

The press release goes on to say that our legislation has “the effect of giving the banks in Canada” the right to freeze the account activity of Osama bin Laden and--