House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2006, with 48% of the vote.
The Budget February 18th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, overwhelmingly the best thing one can do for low income families is to make sure that they either pay very low taxes or no taxes at all.
As a result of our budget, to give an example, a family with two children earning $30,000 now pays no net federal taxes. As a result of our budget there are 200,000 Canadians added to the 400,000 from last year for a total of 600,000 Canadians who are not paying any income tax in this country at all.
The Budget February 18th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, if one takes a look at the budget, what one finds first of all is that the increase in the exemption to $675 overwhelmingly benefits low and medium income Canadians.
Perhaps more important than anything, given the tremendous burden that is carried by young families with small children, the increase in the child tax benefit, initially directed to low income families and now directed as well to middle income families, directly benefits those who need it most. Overwhelmingly the largest percentage increase—
Small Business February 18th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, small business participates in the overall economy of the country. What has the overall economy of the country done?
We have one of the highest growth rates of any of the countries in the G-7. We are creating more jobs than any country in the G-7, including the United States. Our interest rates have come down dramatically over the last five years. We have eliminated the deficit. We are the only major industrial country now paying debt. That is what gives us a solid economy. That is what small and medium size businesses want.
Small Business February 18th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, I am so anxious for his supplementary.
Small Business February 18th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, $50 million to the Business Development Bank of Canada is directed totally to small business. When we took office, payroll taxes and unemployment insurance taxes were going up to $3.07. Today they are $2.55. That is $3.5 billion that has been given back to—
Transfer Payments February 18th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, according to the per capita formula, Quebec is currently getting $939 per capita; next year, it will receive $954, and this amount will increase to $960 and then to $971. The amount will increase over time.
It may well be that equalization payments will vary, but they will also vary if Quebec's economy improves.
There is another thing. Within the next three weeks, we will give Quebec a $1.4 billion cheque, and that is reality.
Transfer Payments February 18th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, it is clear that the Canada social transfer and the equalization program go hand in hand. We must keep them together, otherwise there would be distortions.
For example, Quebec is currently getting $20 more per capita than Newfoundland. Is Quebec poorer than Newfoundland? Quebec receives $78 more per capita than Prince Edward Island. Is P.E.I. richer than Quebec? No. This is because there are distortions and we will have to eliminate them, so that compensation—
The Budget February 18th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, I will continue and give other examples.
From the Canada Development Bank, with 24% of the population, Quebec receives 37% of the loans and guarantees. From the Canadian foundation for innovation, with 24% of the population, Quebec receives 33% of the funds allocated. From the Canada Medical Research Council, with 24% of the population, Quebec receives 32% of the money spent.
This is the fault of the federal government.
The Budget February 18th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, the poor member is really out to lunch.
Under the labour market development agreement, with 24% of Canada's population, Quebec receives 28% of the expenditures. For immigrant settlement services, Quebec receives 34% of spending. For Technology Partnerships Canada, with 24% of the population, Quebec receives 53% of spending. From the Canada Development Bank, with 24%—
Transfer Payments February 18th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, the budget put out two days ago was the largest single investment that has been made by a federal government in health care in over two decades. In addition, the investments in health care research are the largest that have been made by a federal government in over two decades. Essentially what the government did in this budget was make it very clear that the federal party that created medicare is going to stand behind it for generations to come.