Paul Martin

[Banks, March 10th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, first the hon. member has just stated his party's position in terms of approving the bank mergers, which we did not because they were not in the public interest. Second, the government will be coming out with its statement of intent within the not too distant future. The member's questions will be answered.

I would like to answer one other question. The hon. member asked why the Prime Minister took the question that he addressed to me. It is just that we have been talking about this. The view of the government is that I have been having too much fun answering the member's questions.

[Taxation, March 10th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, there is only one question before the House and that is that members of the Reform Party have an agenda of abolishing individual taxation and going to family taxation. They do not believe that lower income Canadians should pay tax at a lower rate.

If that is the case, why do they not simply stand up in the House and be prepared to defend what they in fact believe?

[Taxation, March 10th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, what we intend to do is very clear. We intend to make sure that a progressive tax system continues, that higher income Canadians pay tax at a higher rate than lower income Canadians. That is the basis—

[Taxation, March 10th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, let us understand the real agenda of members of the Reform Party. It is in fact to go from individual taxation to taxing family income as a whole.

What that would mean is that low income spouses would be taxed at the rate of the higher income spouse. What it would discourage is people getting married. It would also discourage lower income spouses going into the workforce.

Is that their motive? If that is what they want to do then why do they not stand up and admit their agenda?

[Taxation, March 10th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, I am really delighted the hon. member raised the issue of the work that has been done by the member for Mississauga South and a number of other members on this side of the House.

It recognizes that the Liberal Party has been on this issue a lot longer and in a lot greater depth than the Reform Party ever could.

I only ask the Reform Party now to play a bit of catch-up, participate in the all Commons finance committee and take a look at this issue with the great deal of responsibility that it requires.

[Taxation, March 10th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, it is quite interesting that the hon. member stands up here and announces the Alberta budget. I am sure the Alberta treasurer would be very interested in finding his budget scooped by the hon. member.

The simple fact is that the Alberta government set up a fair taxation commission that went around the province. Precisely, the Reform Party objects to an all party House of Commons committee looking into the same thing.

[Families, March 10th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, the government's position is very clear. We believe in individual taxation. We do not believe, for instance, that when a lower income spouse joins the workforce he or she should be taxed at the rate of the family or the higher income. We believe in progressive taxation. That is our position. At the same time we believe in bringing in measures that will help families raise their children.

[Points Of Order, March 9th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, the comment was from Hansard . I would be delighted to table Hansard .

[Points Of Order, March 9th, 1999]

Notes, Mr. Speaker.

[Points Of Order, March 9th, 1999]

I will get the original document, Mr. Speaker, because I have notes on this. I would be more than happy to get the original document and table it.