House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2006, with 48% of the vote.
Budget Surplus November 17th, 1998
I have always said we would be going to have a surplus this year. I said so in the economic statement. Moreover, Canadians need to be proud of this.
What I am still saying, and I would like to quote the senior economist at Mouvement Desjardins, is “The presence of numerous risks, both from the economic and the financial point of view, calls for continued caution”. That is our position.
Budget Surplus November 17th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, the hon. member is mistaken.
Budget Surplus November 17th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, what I said yesterday, and what I say again today, is that we intend to proceed in a balanced manner. Every year since we came into power, we have cut employment insurance contributions. Last year, we reduced taxes and put money into the sectors of the future.
This is an approach that works and one we will continue to use.
Finance November 17th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, the real difference of opinion between us and Reform is how that money was spent.
The last budget was one of the most important education budgets ever brought forth by the government. We gave students a tax credit on their deductions. At the same time we gave single parents a $3,000 grant.
Reform in its taxpayers' budget said it would take $200 million out of education.
Finance November 17th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, the Leader of the Opposition is wrong on both counts. In fact, the millennium foundation has been set up. Second, it happens all the time in the private sector that when obligations or liabilities are incurred they are booked.
Finance November 17th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, the accounting procedure that was followed in this case is the one followed in the private sector. It is more open and transparent than that which has been recommended by the auditor general in the public sector.
We believe government has a responsibility to be as open and transparent as possible. That is why we booked the liability as soon as it was incurred.
Apec Summit November 16th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, as the hon. member may know, about two months ago Canada put forth a six point plan. One of the points dealt with the question of capital liberalization. We took the position that countries should not be forced into capital liberalization until they are ready and until their markets are sufficiently sophisticated that they ought to be able to put in place means of preventing hot money from coming into their countries.
Taxation November 16th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, we will preserve the health care system in this country. We will preserve the social safety net.
The hon. member is recommending on behalf of his party a social safety net comparable to that of Liberia. They are recommending a health care system comparable to that of Liberia. That is where they have probably chosen their social model from. Not us. This is an advanced and progressive country and we will not listen to Reform.
Budget Surplus November 16th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, if Bloc Quebecois members are opposed to reducing the taxes paid by our seniors, if they are opposed to lower taxes for the middle class, for self-employed people, that is up to them.
We, on the other hand, intend to continue to reduce the tax burden for Canadian taxpayers, just as we did in the last budget.
Budget Surplus November 16th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, all that we are doing is complying with the requests of the Auditor General which date back to 1986. They were also complied with by the previous government.