Mr. Speaker, I cannot but agree with the leader of the NDP when she quotes what is my own policy and when she quotes what is government policy. The only question is, why has it taken her so long to see the light?
House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2006, with 48% of the vote.
Child Poverty November 18th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, I cannot but agree with the leader of the NDP when she quotes what is my own policy and when she quotes what is government policy. The only question is, why has it taken her so long to see the light?
Child Poverty November 18th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, the leader of the NDP is absolutely right. The Minister of Finance does care greatly about children. Furthermore, every member of this government and every Liberal from coast to coast to coast cares deeply about children in this country.
Child Poverty November 17th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, the government has made it clear on numerous occasions the terrible tragedy of child poverty and the terrible cost it is going to inflict upon this country in the future. That is why we have brought forth the number of programs we have. We have brought forth the increase in the child tax benefit, the increase in the child care expense deduction and the basic revolution that was represented by Head Start, all of which are initiatives that have been pushed very strongly by the government.
If the NDP is sincere in what it is saying, then it will join the government as we battle to eliminate child poverty against those who do not care.
Transfer Payments November 17th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, I have just said that within ten days I intend to discuss all this with my provincial counterparts.
Now, when the hon. member speaks of cuts, if they are so busy tearing their hair out over this, at least it is saving them money in hair cuts.
Transfer Payments November 17th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, once again I repeat, at the request of the provinces, we have restored transfer payments as far as health is concerned. We did so in last year's budget.
But the question is this: Do the provinces intend to restore to the municipalities what they have cut from them?
Transfer Payments November 17th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, my priorities are those of the government, which are those of Canadians.
It is clear in the speech from the throne that the provinces are in agreement as well. They endorsed the 50-50 formula. They endorsed the Government of Canada's red book. The throne speech spoke of the infrastructure program. Even the provinces spoke of it in their meeting two days ago.
They also spoke of tax cuts, a reduction in the debt, reflected in the throne speech, reflected—
Transfer Payments November 17th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, we very clearly recognized the priority of Canadians in our latest budgets.
The member referred to health, for example. I have said it repeatedly in the House, there has been an increase of $11.5 billion over five years to the provinces for health.
I am convinced that we will be discussing this when the ministers of finance meet in ten days' time.
Goods And Services Tax November 16th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, the hon. member knows full well that is not what was said. In any event, a House of Commons committee went across the country for two years. It met with consumers. It met with small business. At the end of it all, the recommendation was that in fact we continue with the situation as is because it would cause much less disruption.
That is not the hon. member's real point. His real point is that we should now begin to spend money, money, which we may not have in five years, and that we should return to a deficit. That this government will never do.
Transfer Payments November 16th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, that is not exactly how I read their meeting. They said not only that we should reduce the debt and taxes but they advocated an infrastructure program as recommended in the throne speech.
Transfer Payments November 16th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, in terms of priority, it is very clear, when we look at what the government has done in the past year, that the transfers are certainly very important. Health is of vital importance.
As regards yesterday's finance ministers meeting, I think everyone is satisfied that matters are fine at both federal and provincial levels. We have to remember that the provinces cut significantly at the municipal level. Now that we have the opportunity to work together, I hope that all three levels of government will be included.