House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2006, with 48% of the vote.
The Economy May 17th, 2001
I wonder, Mr. Speaker, if it was the same person who brought in $2.3 billion in unbudgeted program spending during his three years as Alberta's finance minister.
Who was the treasurer of Alberta who brought in the largest unbudgeted spending bill of any Alberta finance minister since 1986?
The Economy May 17th, 2001
Mr. Dinning.
The Economy May 17th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, first, the fact is that the hon. member's numbers are wrong. Second, I would like to quote a couple of things.
Who was the treasurer of Alberta when program spending increased by 28.6% in a three year period? Who was the treasurer of Alberta who presided over the largest one year increase in program spending of any Alberta finance minister since 1985-86? I have more, Mr. Speaker.
The Economy May 17th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, I made it very clear at the meeting this morning that we were not going into deficit. There is an ample cushion to protect us against any kind of an eventuality. However I would simply like to quote an eminent economist who said the following:
Much more weight should be placed on...forecasts, over the two year budget horizon than over the five year planning horizon. Not only is there more immediate accountability, the economic and fiscal forecasts are much more reliable.
That is what he said. Interestingly enough this is by WEFA.
The Economy May 14th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate both my colleagues, the Minister of Industry and the Minister of Human Resources Development, and indeed all the other members of cabinet and caucus who were involved in this paper.
It is very important, the hon. member will understand, to look ahead to begin to build the economy of tomorrow and that is exactly what the government is in the process of doing.
The Economy May 14th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, the hon. member knows full well the contingency reserve has been in place ever since we formed the government. He knows exactly the conditions under which it is to be used, and it will continue to be used in that way.
The Economy May 14th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, the hon. member's numbers simply do not hold water, but there is no doubt there has been increases in certain areas.
I would simply like to ask him: Given that the majority of those increases have taken place in the transfers to provinces for health, that they have taken place in terms of increases in elderly benefits and that they have taken place in the increase in equalization, perhaps the hon. member would tell me which of those three programs he would cut.
Single Currency May 14th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, the hon. member should simply look at the facts, in other words, at the difference between the Canadian and American economies.
If we and the Americans had had the same currency during the Asian crisis, Canada's economy would probably have suffered a major downturn, instead of performing the way it did.
The hon. member should realize that he is advocating a solution that would have a huge negative impact on Canadian families.
Single Currency May 14th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, what is responsible is to set up in our country a structure that will allow us to keep our own powers, including fiscal and monetary powers.
This is why we have a low inflation rate. This is why we are creating jobs at a much faster pace than the Americans. This is why Canadians' disposable income is rising. This is what we should be doing and this is what we are doing.
Single Currency May 14th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, what is at issue here is that the Bloc Quebecois really wants to let Washington set our monetary policy. What other federal powers does it want to hand over to Washington in order to advance the cause of Quebec sovereignty?