House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2006, with 48% of the vote.
Government Spending November 1st, 1999
Mr. Speaker, which tax would the hon. member like to see us cut? The 3% that the Tories introduced? We did that.
Is the hon. member's problem de-indexation or the abolition of indexation? That was a Tory initiative.
Is it with the 39 increases that the Tories introduced when we were in opposition? I think that was a Tory government.
I look forward to tomorrow's fiscal update when we can discuss the absolute elimination of Tory fiscal messes.
Government Spending November 1st, 1999
Mr. Speaker, we are going to have to work well together, so we want to be gentle today.
The fact is that when we took office total spending was $120 billion. Under the Tories it was going to go to $128 billion. It is now down to $112 billion. We have done that by focusing on the priorities of Canadians. Three-quarters of all our new spending is in health care and education. We will continue to focus on those priorities.
Taxation November 1st, 1999
Mr. Speaker, first the hon. member knows that was not what was said.
The fact is that we have made it very clear that the priority is to cut personal income taxes for middle income and low income Canadians. Indeed, if he takes a look at what we have done over the course of the last three years, that is exactly where the priorities have been and that is where they ought to be.
Taxation November 1st, 1999
Mr. Speaker, there is no doubt that the government would like to cut taxes in every area and as quickly as possible, but clearly one has to establish priorities. If we take a look, in fact our consumption taxes in Canada are substantially lower than in most other countries, whereas our personal income taxes are higher. That is essentially where the priority ought to lie.
Employment Insurance November 1st, 1999
Mr. Speaker, the government acts with regard to the total health of the government's finances. If one looks at what has happened over the last five years, not only have we had the largest reductions in EI premiums in the history of EI, but at the same time we have reduced income taxes by some $16.5 billion, and last year we made the largest investment in this government's history back into health care. That is what we are in the process of doing.
Employment Insurance November 1st, 1999
Mr. Speaker, when we took office EI premiums were at $3.07 and they were going to go to $3.30. Since we have taken office, each and every year we have lowered those premiums and today they are at $2.55. That is for four and a half to five years. That is the longest series of reductions in EI premiums since the plan was brought in.
Budget Surpluses November 1st, 1999
Mr. Speaker, I am totally in agreement. That is why I was so surprised to see in the Bloc Quebecois tax reduction approach that the party did not want any tax reduction for those with incomes of under $30,000, only for those with incomes higher than that figure.
As for us, we have decreased taxes for the least well-off Canadians.
Budget Surpluses November 1st, 1999
Mr. Speaker, middle class Canadians are the ones who benefit when employment insurance contributions are reduced. Middle class Canadians are the ones who benefit when parental leave is extended. Middle class Canadians are the ones who benefit when transfer payments for health or the national child benefit are increased.
Budget Surpluses November 1st, 1999
Mr. Speaker, one of the things the government announced in the throne speech was a substantial increase in parental leave.
At the same time, as far as the provinces are concerned, it has not only increased health transfers, but it has also increased equalization payments substantially, including a $1.4 billion cheque to the Province of Quebec.
Budget Surpluses November 1st, 1999
Mr. Speaker, that is largely what it did last year, when it not only increased health transfers to the provinces, to the tune of $11.5 billion over five years, but also worked very closely with the provinces in connection with the national child benefit, research and development, and a whole host of areas very important to Canadians.