Mr. Speaker, I would simply remind the finance critic for the Reform Party of the difference in the Canadian economic—
House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2006, with 48% of the vote.
Finance March 19th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, I would simply remind the finance critic for the Reform Party of the difference in the Canadian economic—
The Economy March 19th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, it is really incumbent upon the finance critic for the opposition to get his facts right. The fact is that our capital gains taxes are lower than the United States. Our corporate taxes are going to be lower than the United States. We have just brought in the largest income tax cuts in Canadian history, substantially greater than the United States.
The hon. member talks about debt. The fact is that over the course of the last four years we will have paid down $28 billion worth of debt. That is substantially more than what the Alliance called for. We also have the largest decline in our debt to GDP ratio of any G-7 country. Those are the facts.
The Economy March 19th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, I fully agree with the policy of the government and of the Prime Minister, which has given us increased available income and increased productivity and growth. In fact, we have had the best growth among all G-7 countries this year. That policy has also given us four years of employment growth, which is the best performance among all G-7 countries. It is these fundamentals that, in the end, determine the value of a country's currency.
The Economy March 19th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, under this Prime Minister, under this government, our economics on fundamentals have improved substantially. Our productivity is on the increase and our disposable incomes are on the increase.
The fact is that if we take a look at what is happening to other currencies at the present time, given the strength of the American dollar worldwide, we will find that the Canadian dollar has behaved better than any of the other currencies outside of the U.S. dollar.
The Economy March 19th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, the Leader of the Opposition goes back into ancient history and reads citations. I have just stated the Prime Minister's position, the position of the government, which is not in favour of a weak dollar.
The fact is that for the Leader of the Opposition to stand up in the House and to start citing numbers is grossly irresponsible.
The Economy March 19th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, the Leader of the Opposition knows that is not the position of the Prime Minister nor the position of the Government of Canada.
In a time of global turmoil like this, it is really irresponsible of the Leader of the Opposition to in fact raise that allegation.
The Economy March 14th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, let us look at the fundamentals of the Canadian economy.
As I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted, the fact is that Canada has had the strongest job growth of any G-7 country over the last four years.
The fact is that Canada is expected to have the highest growth of any G-7 country this year.
The fact is that over the course of the last decade we have become one of the major high tech economies in the world.
The fact is that because of the changes brought in by this government, we will ride through the U.S. downturn better than any other G-7 country.
The Economy March 14th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, the hon. member knows full well that finance ministers do not answer that kind of question.
He also knows full well that in 1993 the unemployment rate was 11.5%. Today it is 6.9%. In 1993 there were two million fewer jobs than there are today. In 1993 the disposable income of Canadians was on the decline. Today it is on the rise. In 1993 our productivity was on the decline. Today it is on the rise.
Mining Industry March 14th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, thanks to the tireless efforts of the hon. member and of the other members from northern Ontario, Quebec and the Territories, we have introduced a new flow through share credit.
I can now tell the House that following the meeting of the association in Toronto this weekend this is working very well, once again thanks to the efforts of these members. I am prepared to announce today that my department has undertaken broad consultations on fiscal matters in order to help the industry.
I would like to thank all members for their ongoing and intense interest.
Agriculture March 14th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, that is why we have substantially reduced taxes for all Canadians, why we have inaugurated a very extensive farm assistance program, and why we will continue along the same lines.