House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2006, with 48% of the vote.
Taxation November 3rd, 1999
Mr. Speaker, the lights are out across the opposition benches.
Let me simply explain that yesterday was a fiscal update. The taxes and the details of tax reduction are done in budget. I would certainly ask the hon. member to be part of the finance committee and to consult with Canadians. I look forward to the recommendations of the finance committee and I look forward to the budget in February-March.
Taxation November 3rd, 1999
Mr. Speaker, whether it be the throne speech, whether it be the economic update yesterday or whether it be the budget, it will be the government that will respond and the government will speak with one voice.
Taxation November 3rd, 1999
Mr. Speaker, that is not what the Prime Minister said.
The Prime Minister said that it is the responsibility of government, while setting an economic climate so that the private sector can create jobs, to take care of those who cannot help themselves. It is the responsibility of government to alleviate the plight of children in poverty. It is the responsibility of government to provide accessibility to universities. It is the responsibility of government to take care of Canadians so that they too have an equal opportunity to succeed.
Child Poverty November 3rd, 1999
Mr. Speaker, anybody who has watched what this government has said and done over the course of the last five years will understand the very deep feeling of concern that we have for families living in poverty, for farm families in this country, and to improve the lot of the ordinary Canadian.
That is why we put another $2 billion in the national child tax benefit. That is why we have increased CAPC. That is why we increased the prenatal nutrition program. That is why we have increased head start. The fact is that this government has acted, and it has acted consistently.
Child Poverty November 3rd, 1999
Mr. Speaker, the hon. member's facts are quite wrong. If one looks at the last published numbers, those for between 1996 and 1997, the number of children living in poor families has actually declined from 21.1% to 19.8%.
Economic Statement By Minister Of Finance November 3rd, 1999
Mr. Speaker, I indicated our intention very clearly yesterday not only to cut taxes, but to lower taxes for the middle class and those most disadvantaged.
So, I put the question to the hon. member. Why did the Bloc Quebecois, in its political statement on taxation, refuse to lower taxes for the most disadvantaged, for all those earning less than $30,000?
Economic Statement By Minister Of Finance November 3rd, 1999
Mr. Speaker, we are going to do a lot more than that. We are going to look at what we have already done. Next year, the government will have cut personal income tax and compensated for indexing at least four or five times.
Economic Statement By Minister Of Finance November 3rd, 1999
Once again, Mr. Speaker, the member is talking about health, but we increased health transfers by $11.5 billion last year.
As for the universities, research and development, we established the Canadian Foundation for Innovation, 33% of the funds from which will go to Quebec.
In the throne speech, we announced new research chairs, which all universities were quick to approve. It is very clear that the federal government is assuming its responsibilities and we will continue to do so.
Economic Statement By Minister Of Finance November 3rd, 1999
Mr. Speaker, first of all, although there were cuts in transfers very early on, these cuts were not as extensive as those inflicted by the provinces on municipalities, as was the case in Quebec, for instance.
Second, in last year's budget, we increased the health transfer by $11.5 billion over five years. We also increased equalization payments, and Quebec alone received an additional $1.4 billion in such payments.
Taxes November 1st, 1999
Mr. Speaker, since we came to power, we have shown very clearly our intention to lower taxes.
That is why, in the 1997-98 and 1998-99 budgets, we lowered taxes by more than $16.5 billion. This is the largest tax reduction in a decade, and we certainly intend to continue along the same lines.