House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2006, with 48% of the vote.
Employment Insurance November 30th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, as the hon. member knows, since we have taken office we have cut the premiums to $2.40. They were at $3.70 when we took office.
At the same time, as was mentioned in the Speech from the Throne, the Minister of Human Resources Development is bringing forth a major initiative in terms of parental leave, an initiative that will do an enormous amount for the capacity of parents to raise their children.
Taxation November 26th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, I can understand how members of the Reform Party believe that those matters on which the Government of Canada spends money is nothing because that is their perspective on the social fabric of the country. But Canadians do not think that health care is nothing. Canadians do not think that education is nothing. Canadians do not think that protecting the environment is nothing. They do not think that protecting our coastline is nothing.
Canadians understand what the Reform Party does not, that tax dollars go to provide services for Canadians. That is what government is all about.
Taxation November 26th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, I would say to Jerry the same thing that I have said to Brian and Doreen.
One of the reasons the Reform Party finds itself forced to change speakers every time it wants to ask a question is so that it does not have to defend its policies of no unemployment insurance cuts for employees, increased taxes until the year 2000 and the destruction of the Canada pension plan.
Doreen, Brian and Jerry all want to know why it is that the Reform Party has a high tax policy.
Taxation November 26th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, when one talks to Canadians and they look at their paycheques, one of the things they see on there is the Canada pension plan premium.
I have talked to Canadians on all three coasts who have said that the Canada pension plan is an essential part of their retirement. They want to keep it. It is universal. It provides massive risk taking on behalf of all Canadians. It protects them.
Most Canadians want to know, and I am sure that Brian wants to know, why the Reform Party wants to destroy the Canada pension plan.
Banking November 26th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, as the hon. member knows, because he has followed this issue closely, in the government statement on the whole question of financial services reform we set out very progressive legislation on the way in which bank closures would be handled and on the way in which the entire system, consumers and all stakeholders, should be protected.
Banking November 26th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, the hon. member knows that committees are indeed masters in their own house. Committees do not need references from me or from anyone else. If a finance committee or any other committee wants to look into this or any other matter, it can certainly do so.
Referendums November 25th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, is there a downside to the referendum? Absolutely.
And we have experienced it in Quebec. Quebec's business community, those working in Quebec, have seen it for years, ever since the Péquistes took office.
When we look at the political uncertainty and see the impact on business and job creation, when we look at the social problems in Quebec resulting from the uncertainty surrounding the referendum, it is very clear that there is a downside, and that is why Canada will never break up.
Taxation November 25th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, is every member of the government proud that we put $11.5 billion back into the health care system? Absolutely.
Is every member of the government proud of the national child tax credit? Absolutely.
Is every member of the government proud that we have taken 600,000 taxpayers off the tax rolls? Absolutely.
The fact is that we are prepared to stand in the House to defend what we have done.
Are Reform Party members proud of what they have said, that they would not cut EI premiums for employees? They are clapping. They are proud of it. Are they proud of the fact that they would not have provided any tax relief until the year 2000?
Taxation November 25th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, Reform members' performance in standing is not going to confuse Canadians about the fact that the Reform Party is not prepared to carry through with what it is saying. The issue really is that Jean has got more after-tax disposable income today as a result of what this government has done than what Reform would have delivered.
The issue is, why will the Reform Party not stand in the House to defend what it has said in the prebudget debates and, in fact, in its election campaigns? That is the issue.
Taxation November 25th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, the intellectual bankruptcy of the Reform position is manifest in every question that Reformers ask.
We have laid out our tax plan. It is resulting in lower taxes for Canadians; by next year a 10% tax cut for individual Canadians, a 14% tax cut for families.
The issue is: If the Reform Party members believe what they say, why will they not stand up in the House and defend their position? Why do they not refute the claims that I have made in terms of their position? It is because I am telling the truth and the Reform Party knows it and it is afraid to defend its position.