Paul Martin

[Canada Pension Plan, October 29th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, for the first time in two years of debate the Reform Party finally admits that there is an existing liability of $600 billion.

Last night in committee, with the leader of the Reform Party at the table, there was an expectation that instead of sound bytes and political rhetoric, Reform Party members would tell us how they intend to deal with it. They refused to do so. For two hours Reform members gave us smoke and mirrors.

Tell us, how much longer are you going to try to flog it by young Canadians? When are you going to come—

[Canada Pension Plan, October 29th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, the chief actuary said that if the federal government and the provinces did not act that the premiums would have gone to 14.4%. We acted and as a result of that they will be capped at 9.9% There is no cost-free way of solving this problem.

Reform Party members have an obligation to tell Canadians how they would handle a $600 billion liability. If they are not prepared to do that, then they should admit that they are going to renege on an obligation to working Canadians and those who have already retired.

[Canada Pension Plan, October 29th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, the consultation document that went out to the country was agreed to by all provincial governments, including the two NDP governments, as well as by the federal government.

The NDP was at the table for the discussions. All the issues the hon. member raises were extensively discussed. We will continue through track two to deal with a number of issues raised by the federal government. One of the members from Ottawa raised them, as well as a number of provincial governments.

[Canada Pension Plan, October 29th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, precisely because women depend on the public pension plans more than do men it is important that we guarantee not only their survival but their success.

Because of that this government along with the provinces put in place a series of measures which will guarantee to Canadians young and old, both men and women, that the public sector pension plan will be there for them.

This was an agreement among all the provinces. The fact is that there were differences with two provinces on certain things, but there were no—

[The Environment, October 28th, 1997]

Yes, Mr. Speaker.

[Canadian International Trade Tribunal, October 28th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, as the hon. member is well aware, the tribunal reports to the department and the decision is made by the Minister of Finance.

We received new information. We are reviewing it. We will discuss it with the tribunal and a decision will soon be made.

[Finance, October 28th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, during the very extensive negotiations and consultations with the provinces and with the public, which lasted over two and a half years, the province of Alberta played a very constructive role.

It is one of the major factors along with the other provinces as a result of which we were able to save the Canada pension plan. The real issue is whether the Reform Party is recommending that it would renege on the $600 billion liability owed to existing Canadians and those who are currently retired.

[Finance, October 28th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, the return that is projected is a 3.8% return, which is in fact a real return, roughly in line with that projected by most other major pension funds.

The great advantage of the Canada pension plan is regardless of market fluctuations the Government of Canada stands behind the CPP.

The Reform Party wants to subject Canadians to having a substantial portion of their retirement totally at the will of market volatility.

[Environment, October 28th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, there has been extensive work done within the Department of Finance. There has been extensive work done in conjunction with the Minister of the Environment on the whole issue of economic instruments on tradable permits. We have discussed this at the same time with our counterparts internationally within the G-7. We have advanced the yardstick substantially. Unfortunately when we took over government in 1993 we virtually had to start at zero.

[Canadian International Trade Tribunal, October 27th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, the tribunal sets its own rules. The tribunal advised us that it had received additional information and it requested more time to review the situation.