House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2006, with 48% of the vote.
Taxation December 5th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, the increase in Canada pension plan premiums is money that is going into the investment savings of Canadians on the one hand and, on the other hand, to make up for the $600 million liability.
If the hon. member is against a tax increase, would he please explain it to the member for Calgary—Nose Hill who was calling for a 25% increase in personal income taxes in order to make up that liability.
Taxation December 5th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, it is quite obvious that having to ask three questions strains this member's capacity.
The fact is that I have already answered both of those questions. We brought taxes down and the Reform Party opposed it. The Canadian economy has produced over a million new jobs, 34,000 last month. That is a record we are proud to stand behind.
Taxation December 5th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, perhaps the hon. member should have looked at this morning's news. He wants to talk about employment. The fact is that there were 34,000 new jobs created last month.
There are members on that side of the table who talked about one million jobs being created some time before the year 2000. I am glad to announce that since this government has taken office, over one million new jobs have been created.
Taxation December 5th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, they have already come down. In fact, the Minister of Human Resources announced a week ago that the employment insurance premiums would be cut by $1.4 billion. In the 1997 budget we brought taxes down by more than $2 billion over three years, helping students and the physically disabled. At the same time, we put more money in the hands of those families with children.
The issue really is, why did the Reform Party oppose those reductions in taxes?
Division No. 46 December 1st, 1997
moved that the bill, as amended, be concurred in.
Human Rights November 27th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, it was extremely fortuitous in fact that the APEC meetings took place in Vancouver under the leadership of the Prime Minister. It demonstrated to investors and to workers in all of Southeast Asia that in fact the major industrial countries were prepared to come together to make sure that the international financial system continued on at a stable pace.
What has happened, as the hon. member knows, is that negotiations have been taking place with the International Monetary Fund. We will be meeting a number of the countries in Chile over the next week—
Canada Pension Plan Investment Board Act November 26th, 1997
moved:
Motion No. 21
That Bill C-2, in Clause 91, be amended by adding after line 22 on page 72 the following:
“(4) The Investment Board and its auditor shall provide the Auditor General of Canada with any records, accounts, statements or other information that in the opinion of the Auditor General of Canada are necessary to audit the annual financial statements of the Canada Pension Plan.”
Canada Pension Plan Investment Board Act November 26th, 1997
moved:
Motion No. 5
That Bill C-2, in Clause 47, be amended by replacing lines 10 and 11 on page 25 with the following:
“47. (1) The Minister shall cause a special examination to be carried out at least once every six years in respect of the”
The Economy November 26th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, let me simply say that 10 year bonds have been down 27 basis points in the last two months and 30 year bonds are down 39 basis points. In fact 30 year bonds are now at a record low as are mortgages.
In terms of EI premiums, the minister of human resources announced last week that they were cut from $2.90 to $2.70. When we took office they were on their way to $3.30. As far as CPP premiums are concerned, the reason the federal government—
The Economy November 26th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, the Leader of the Conservative Party, having himself been a member of a government, knows that the Minister of Finance does not comment on the value of the dollar.
What he should also understand is that in fact interest rates are a matter of inflationary expectations. What occurred the last time the government raised the overnight rate is that long-term rates came down. It is long-term rates upon which investment decisions are made and upon which large consumer items are purchased.
In fact, what the Bank of Canada is doing is very responsible.