House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2006, with 48% of the vote.
Common Currency May 9th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, I can tell the hon. member that the position of the Governor of the Bank of Canada is exactly the same as the one I have just stated. I have discussed it with him on a number of occasions.
I would next like to ask the member a question. How is it that throughout the debates on Quebec's sovereignty, even the sovereignists said they wanted to keep the Canadian dollar?
Common Currency May 9th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, the hon. member is mistaken. There was certainly a drop in Canada's productivity in the 1980s and early 1990s, but since 1997 it has been on the rise. In fact, last year was a very good year in terms of Canadian productivity.
Common Currency May 9th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, the position of the Canadian government and the position stated by the Governor of the Bank of Canada is that the best solution for the Canadian economy is to maintain the Canadian dollar.
The Economy May 3rd, 2001
Mr. Speaker, there is no bud to nip.
The Economy May 3rd, 2001
Mr. Speaker, the hon. member was at the meeting. I have read the transcript. The Governor of the Bank of Canada said that the arguments in favour of maintaining the Canadian dollar were overwhelming. That is what he said.
The newspaper report this morning also indicates that. That is the position of the governor and that is the position of the Government of Canada.
Single Currency May 3rd, 2001
Mr. Speaker, the hon. member should check the committee proceedings. This is not what the Governor of the Bank of Canada said. He did not advocate having a single currency within 10 years. He supported the Canadian dollar, and so does the federal government.
Single Currency May 3rd, 2001
Mr. Speaker, the position of the Governor of the Bank of Canada, Mr. Dodge—which is the same as that of his predecessor, Mr. Thiessen—is that he supports the Canadian dollar. He clearly explained why it is very important for us to keep our currency.
The Economy May 3rd, 2001
Mr. Speaker, we have brought in the largest debt reduction in Canadian history. We have brought in the largest tax cuts in Canadian history. Canadian disposal incomes are at an all time high. Inflation is under control. Our interest rates are down.
That is what the government has done and that is what it will continue to do.
The Economy May 3rd, 2001
Mr. Speaker, we do indeed have a problem, and that is because the leader of the official opposition understands neither English nor French.
The fact is that the Governor of the Bank of Canada supports the Canadian dollar and so does the federal government.
The Economy May 3rd, 2001
Mr. Speaker, chasing headlines really does not help. It is not incumbent upon the Leader of the Opposition to sort of make up stories.
The Governor of the Bank of Canada stated unequivocally that he supports the Canadian dollar. The studies of the Bank of Canada over the last five years have demonstrated unequivocally the importance of Canada maintaining the Canadian dollar. That is the government's position and that is our position unequivocally.