Paul Martin

[Employment, March 30th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, all the numbers the hon. member referred to have improved since the government took office and in fact have improved more over the course of the last six months.

The real issue is the crocodile tears of the hon. member when he talks about welfare. We must remember that his party wants to take a further $3.5 billion out of the transfers. It specifically targeted welfare. The Reform Party stands up and talks about its compassion for the poor which flies in the face of everything it has ever said or every written.

[Employment, March 30th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, the definition of a golden age is one in which employment increased by 82,000 in February. This is the biggest one month increase in employment since November 1994.

A golden age is when the help wanted index increases 2.3% in February to 136 points. Housing starts increased 11% in February, the largest monthly increase in over a year. Real exports of goods and services grew 8.3% in the fourth quarter. Those are the kinds of numbers that give Canadians confidence.

[Canada Millennium Scholarship Foundation, March 25th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, because it is an outside foundation and will operate as an outside foundation.

[Canada Millennium Scholarship Foundation, March 25th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, it is an outside foundation. Its books will certainly be available. They will be audited. This government as in all other things will continue to be open and transparent and so will the foundation. Its board of directors will consist of educators, leading Canadians from coast to coast. Their integrity should not be questioned.

[Student Debt, March 25th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, I have just explained that there are a whole series of measures to enable students not to have to declare bankruptcy.

However, I find it both incredible and inconceivable that this same member opposes the millennium scholarships, which will provide $3,000 to 100,000 students a year. It is ridiculous.

[Student Debt, March 25th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, a look at what the government has done reveals that it permits students facing enormous difficulties to reduce their loan principal by 50%.

Regarding interest rates, students earning minimum wage, that is, less than $28,000, will be allowed to reduce their rate of interest. Those earning less than $20,000 will be allowed to not pay interest. We—

[Millennium Scholarship Fund, March 25th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, there will be an independent board that will have the right to make its decisions and to make its nominations but, as with all things, if the auditor general would like to have access to those books, it will be arranged.

[Millennium Scholarship Fund, March 25th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, the auditor general will have access to the millennium fund's books.

[Old Age Security, March 24th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, I already had very successful discussions with representatives of AFEAS. They raised some very interesting points.

As I already said in this House, it is our intention, when the amendments to the legislation on old age security are introduced, to make some changes.

[British Columbia Economy, March 23rd, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, because this country has been able to balance its books, the first of the G-7 countries to do so, we will be able to bring in $7 billion of tax relief over the course of the next three years.

What is happening is that the balanced policies of this government are giving this country a very strong financial foundation. What I would simply say to the people of this country is not to vote for extremes.