moved that the bill, as amended, be concurred in.
House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2006, with 48% of the vote.
Division No. 44 March 28th, 2001
moved that the bill, as amended, be concurred in.
Taxation March 22nd, 2001
Mr. Speaker, there are a great number of global public goods, such as the protection of the environment, prevention of the spread of disease and debt relief, all of which require extensive international public financing. The Tobin tax certainly is one vehicle, and it is for that reason that members on both sides of the House voted for it.
I have, on numerous occasions, at the G-7, the G-20 and the IMF raised the issue. The problem is that of course it requires the co-operation of all the major financial centres. That co-operation is not yet coming, but we continue—
The Economy March 21st, 2001
Mr. Speaker, why does the finance critic for the Alliance not simply wake up and take a look at the facts? He is wrong on every instance. Our tax burden is not the highest. Our corporate taxes are lower. Our capital gains taxes are lower.
We have the largest debt reduction of any industrial country. We have created more jobs over the last four years than any industrial country.
The fact is that Canada in those areas is doing very well. Yes, there is global volatility and yes, we are concerned, but Canada is better prepared to weather that storm than any other industrial country.
The Economy March 21st, 2001
Mr. Speaker, we have said that we will bring in an economic update in the spring. Overwhelmingly the vast majority of economic opinion in the country says that is what is required.
The hon. member ought to know, and I will say it again for the nth time, that Canada has brought in the greatest amount of fiscal stimulus of any industrial country.
The Economy March 20th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, impoverishing Canadians is what the finance critic for the Alliance said. There are twice the number of jobs over the last eight months in Canada as compared to the United States.
Our current account surplus hit record levels in the fourth quarter of 2000. Our investment in machinery and equipment was up 19% last year. Today Canada announced the highest monthly trade surplus in its history.
The Economy March 20th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, that statement is simply ridiculous. The fact is that the policies of the government are the result of the economic consequences of the actions taken by this government under this Prime Minister.
Let me just simply say that our mortgage rates, as an example, will now save the average Canadian over $750 a year. That cut has occurred since January.
Let me go on. Our building permits have surged to a record level in January. Our housing starts were up 6% in January and February. This is what is happening in the Canadian economy and there is no other economy in the world—
The Economy March 20th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, when we are in a time of global volatility such as we are now, when they are talking of deflation in Japan, when there is a banking crisis in Japan, and when there is a major slowdown in the world's largest economy, the United States, it is incumbent upon all political and economic leaders to show a sense of responsibility.
I would ask the Leader of the Opposition to do that. As we discussed yesterday here in this room, he knows full well that the government does not have a weak dollar policy. It makes absolutely no sense to take statements out of context.
The fact is the Canadian economy is doing much better than those of the vast majority of our competitors and that—
The Economy March 20th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, as the Leader of the Opposition ought to know, the Bank of Canada is independent. Monetary policy will be decided by the Bank of Canada.
In terms of stimulus in the Canadian economy, again as the hon. member ought to know, as of January 1 the Canadian government as a result of its fiscal actions and its spending actions provided the Canadian economy with a larger amount of stimulus than any of the major industrial countries.
Finance March 19th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, the hon. member knows that we are dealing with a very serious subject. Under normal circumstances when not insulted by being called a reformer, he is a serious member of parliament.
I would simply point out that we are dealing with a global phenomenon, the strength of the U.S. dollar. If we take a look at what is happening to other currencies, while all of them are down the fact is that the Canadian currency is performing far better than the vast majority.
Finance March 19th, 2001
Sorry, you never know; you never know. I cannot help it. He certainly sounds like them.
I remind the critic for the Tory party of the difference in the situation between 1990 when his party was in office and today. If he takes a look at employment, productivity, disposable income and debt reduction, he will see that the fundamentals are far—