Paul Martin

[Employment Insurance, September 28th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, first of all let me say that no specific proposition has been made to cabinet. We have, however, had an important debate, a debate which has existed since 1986 when the auditor general insisted that the EI account be consolidated with the government's general funds.

Let me point out that governments have to make choices and those choices involve a reduction of EI premiums, absolutely, but they also involve a reduction in personal income taxes and they involve spending in important areas like health care.

We must have that debate and the government looks forward to having that debate in the House and across the country.

[Canada Pension Plan, September 24th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, I go back to the point. The hon. member simply does not understand how the Canadian system works. Mr. Dussault reports to the superintendent of financial institutions. We have separated politics from the administration of the public service.

Consider carefully what Reformers are saying. They are suggesting that politicians should influence the choice of senior level public servants. They are suggesting that we should politicize the public service.

That would be the death knell of the finest public service in this country, and the Reform Party ought to understand that.

[Canadian Economy, September 24th, 1998]

This was said by Lucien Bouchard, the premier of Quebec, in August.

[Canadian Economy, September 24th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member must know that short to mid term interest rates are lower now than they were two months ago, and even last month. In fact, they are almost at an all time low for stimulating the economy.

Once again, perhaps the hon. member does not believe me, but “we believe the Canadian economy is strong and sound, not threatened”.

[Apec Summit, September 24th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, that is one supplementary question.

The fact is I am not aware of correspondence that Mr. Dussault may have had with the Government of Ontario. I will look at it.

[Canadian Economy, September 24th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, in response to the hon. member's question, I think that we should simply consult the experts. Allow me to quote one of them: “To state things clearly, we must not panic but maintain the discipline that we worked so hard to acquire in recent years. Otherwise, we would very quickly find ourselves with an even weaker currency, higher interest rates, lower investments and higher unemployment.” That is what Ken Courtis, the chief economist of the Deutsche Bank, said. The hon. member is suggesting we go back to a deficit position. But that is not our intention.

[Employment Insurance, September 24th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, from the very beginning when the country had its back to the wall we eliminated the deficit by following a balanced approach. That balanced approach involved the reduction of EI premiums, the lowering of taxes, spending in areas which were important for the country's future, and the lowering of debt.

That is a program that has worked and will continue to work. We will stay the course.

[Employment Insurance, September 24th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, as I said in response to an early question, the government has reduced the premiums each and every year since we took office. Not only that. In the last budget we eliminated the premiums for companies that were to hire young Canadians. It is important to understand that is the principle the government has followed and will continue to follow.

[Canada Pension Plan, September 24th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, of course I knew that there were management difficulties between the superintendent and the chief actuary. It is within the Department of Finance but I was not involved in the decision.

The whole world knows that there is chaos and management difficulties within the Reform caucus, but I am not going to deal with it.

[Canada Pension Plan, September 24th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, the Superintendent of Financial Institutions has already answered that question. He has said that the answer to that question was no.

Let us be very clear. The Minister of Finance was not involved in the decision and did not make the decision.

I would simply ask: Is the Reform Party saying that the Minister of Finance ought to hire and ought to fire the chief actuary? Is it saying that we ought to have the politicization of the finest public servants in the world?

I hope that is not the case, because that is not what the government would do.