Mr. Speaker, I clearly said that no decision had yet been made.
One thing is clear: tax cuts will certainly benefit the lowest paid workers, the same way that our last budget benefited 400,000 people who used to pay taxes and no longer do so.
House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2006, with 48% of the vote.
Employment Insurance October 19th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, I clearly said that no decision had yet been made.
One thing is clear: tax cuts will certainly benefit the lowest paid workers, the same way that our last budget benefited 400,000 people who used to pay taxes and no longer do so.
Canadian Economy October 7th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, the member is indeed correct, the world is in the grip of serious economic instability, although one would not know it from the questions of the opposition.
Within this context we must recognize that the choice we will make today will govern this country for generations to come.
I am therefore pleased to inform the House that I will appear before the Standing Committee on Finance on October 14 at 2 o'clock here in Ottawa.
I am going to present the country's economic statement on October 14 at 2 p.m. here in Ottawa.
Canada Pension Plan October 2nd, 1998
Mr. Speaker, that is not what I said. I said there are rules that cover this kind of thing and those rules will apply.
Government Of Canada October 2nd, 1998
Mr. Speaker, the superintendent of financial institutions has made it very clear that there were management differences between him and the chief actuary. He has also made it very clear that there was no political interference. There was no political influence. The superintendent runs an independent agency. He is very jealous of his own independence, and properly so. He acted within his own mandate.
Employment Insurance October 2nd, 1998
Mr. Speaker, I am again going to say that there are established rules on how to handle this kind of thing and those established rules will be followed.
Employment Insurance October 2nd, 1998
Mr. Speaker, there are established rules of the Public Service Commission in these kinds of conditions and those rules will apply.
Employment Insurance October 2nd, 1998
Mr. Speaker, it is precisely because of what is happening in the world that we want to keep in place the caution and the prudent measures that we have put in place.
Perhaps the hon. member has been asleep for the last couple of months. There have been fundamental changes that have occurred worldwide. Russia is virtually without a government. The Japanese banking system is in great difficulty. All of these measures are impinging upon North America and ultimately the Canadian economy.
We want to make sure that the same caution that allowed us to eliminate the deficit, the same caution that saw our productivity rise, continues.
Taxation October 2nd, 1998
Mr. Speaker, every year since we have taken office we have reduced payroll taxes. We will continue to do that.
In addition, we eliminated the EI premiums for young Canadians. At the same time we brought in a special measure to help small and medium size business in terms of the millennium bug problem. If we go through the Income Tax Act and the various measures that the federal government has brought in, there is a whole series of measures which recognize the great importance of small business.
The only question is—
Canada Pension Plan October 2nd, 1998
Mr. Speaker, once again, Mr. Palmer categorically denied that there was any political influence or interference.
The condition precedent to the member's question simply does not bear examination in the light of day.
Canada Pension Plan October 2nd, 1998
Mr. Speaker, if the hon. member is going to have ridiculous preambles in his question he has to expect that people will reply to them.
The fact is that the Superintendent of Financial Institutions runs a separate agency and he is independent. He has made very clear the degree to which he wants to protect his independence.
There were management differences between he and the chief actuary. Under those circumstances the superintendent acted.