House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2006, with 48% of the vote.
Interest Rates October 2nd, 1997
Mr. Speaker, I am sure the hon. member knows that interest rates are at almost a 30-year low. Our interest rates are substantially lower than those in the United States.
We are not dealing with monetary tightening. The governor of the bank has simply eased off on the accelerator a little in order to maintain the tremendous economic recovery and the very strong job creation we are seeing.
Job Creation October 2nd, 1997
Mr. Speaker, anybody who follows the economy knows full well that the major problem of large industrial countries has been a perpetuation of the boom and the bust cycle. In order to avoid that, it is very clear the central banks have to act with a certain degree of lag time. That is what has happened.
If one wants to talk about government policies, let us take a look at the private sector. Since this government has taken office it has created over one million jobs. In this year alone there have been 260,000 jobs, the majority of them in the private sector.
Job Creation October 2nd, 1997
As you know, Mr. Speaker, job creation has been quite strong in the past five or six months, but it now has to be maintained, which means sustained and sustainable growth.
To this end, yesterday, the Bank of Canada took its foot off the gas every so slightly so it would not have to hit the brakes too hard down the road.
Goods And Services Tax October 1st, 1997
Mr. Speaker, I would suggest that the member across the way keep his shirt on and take a look at the facts.
The fact is that Quebec has not lost any money. The Canadian government is not in the habit of paying compensation to those who have lost no money.
Furthermore, when we look at other areas, such as research and development, technology, technological partnership, and so on, the Government of Canada is certainly prepared to give Quebec more than its fair share.
Goods And Services Tax October 1st, 1997
Mr. Speaker, as I have said repeatedly here in the House, the Canadian government is prepared to offer compensation to those provinces who have lost money. Quebec did not lose any money. In fact, Quebec made money when it harmonized. This is based on figures from the Quebec government. Information was exchanged with representatives of my counterpart, Mr. Landry. It is very clear.
Public Consultation September 30th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, the fact is we did consult during the election campaign. We actually think that an election campaign is when Canadians should be consulted.
The second thing is that there will be be extensive consultations by the finance committee and I hope the hon. member is part of it. The prime minister and the government have set out the rules of thumb on how it thinks the surplus should be dealt with.
What is important is that as a result of this government, for the first time in over 25 years there is going to be a surplus.
Public Consultation September 30th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, I remind the hon. member that if he is a part of the finance committee then he will be going across the country consulting with the people on that very question.
Even more to the point, the government went to the people, who spoke in the last election.
Goods And Services Tax September 29th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, the hon. member knows full well that we offered to compensate the provinces that lost money.
The fact is that some provinces, including Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia and Alberta, would not have lost money if federal and provincial sales taxes had been harmonized. In fact, Quebec did not lose money.
Let me just quote some figures. In the first year following harmonization, Quebec experienced a 2.7 percent increase, but no losses; in the second year, a 20.4 percent increase in sales tax revenues and no losses; in the third year, an increase of 17—
Canadian Pension Plan September 26th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, there are two ways to destroy the Canada pension plan. One is the way the Reform Party has brought forth, which is to do so openly. The second way is the NDP's way, which is to say “Do not change it, do not deal with the problems and let it crumble under its own weight”.
If the NDP wants to destroy the Canada pension plan, why is it not being honest about it?
Canadian Pension Plan September 26th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, that is in the bill exactly as the hon. member has said. Perhaps before asking the question he might want to read it.
What we have said very clearly is that there may be at some future time the intention to change that rule, but it is not the government's intention to do so now.
What is important to understand is the position of the NDP. Is the hon. member saying that he is against an independent investment board? Is the hon. member saying that he is against the Canada pension plan achieving a higher rate of return than has been—