Paul Martin

[Goods And Services Tax, March 21st, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, if I may cite the figures for Quebec sales tax revenues, which in fact come from the Government of Quebec, they reveal that, compared to the year preceding harmonization, Quebec's revenues in 1990-91 increased by $240 million. The next year, they increased by $1 billion; the year after that, by $888 million; the next year, by $465 million; the following year, $319 million and, finally by $504 million.

Since Quebec's decision to harmonize, its revenues have increased by $3.4 billion, that is, Quebec has not lost money, it has made money.

[Employment, March 20th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, there is nobody in this government, in fact there is no right thinking person in this country who is happy with the level of unemploy-

ment. The fact is that there is great pain and suffering out there. Young Canadians are looking for jobs.

We ought to understand the different approaches the respective parties are taking. We have created over 790,000 jobs in the private sector. At the same time it is important to understand that since we have taken office we have created 550,000 full time jobs.

I can tell this House exactly what Reform policies would lead to. Now that we have seen very clearly that the Conservatives are battling the Reform for bragging rights over the extreme right wing, let us look at what happened under its administration. Reform policies as practised by the Tory party: compared to the 550,000 jobs that we have created, in the last Tory mandate it lost 150,000 full time jobs. That is what these guys would do.

[Employment, March 20th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, the fact is that in our budget we dropped taxes by $2 billion over three years. We did it directly to help those Canadians who need the help.

We should understand that the debate between the Reform Party and ourselves is not over a desire to reduce taxes. Every single Canadian in this country, including every member of this caucus and this government, wants to reduce taxes. The issue is when and under what circumstances and at what cost.

Let us understand what Reform would do to reduce taxes. In order to reduce taxes and justify its tax cut, Reform will cut old age pensions by $5 billion. That is the difference between Reform's projections in its original budget and the projections it is making today. Reform members will cut equalization payments by $3 billion and will cut all kinds of people off in the seven receiving provinces. Reform has essentially said that it will cut the Canadian health and social transfer by $3.5 billion in order to justify its tax cuts.

In other words, the tax cut Reform is offering is a tax cut for the rich and it will eviscerate the programs that help the poor and the middle class in this country. We will not do that.

[Goods And Services Tax, March 20th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, I have explained time and time again in this House that compensation was offered to those provinces whose loss in revenues resulting from tax harmonization exceeded 5 per cent.

I would like to quote some statistics now. In Quebec, in 1989-90, the sales tax brought in $5.1 billion in revenues. In 1990-91, the first year of the harmonized tax, $5.3 billion; in 1991-92, $6.1 billion; in 1992-93, $6 billion; in 1993-94, $5.5 billion; in 1994-95, $5.4 billion; in 1995-96, $5.6 billion.

Each year following harmonization, Quebec has brought in more money that before harmonizing. That is why, like some other provinces, Quebec is not getting any compensation.

[Goods And Services Tax, March 20th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, I stated unequivocally yesterday that mutual assistance between regions was an inherent part of the Canadian confederation. And, yes, helping a province or region through difficult times involves using taxpayers' money.

Let us not forget that Quebec's equalization payments come from the taxes paid by Canadians, as does the financial support to Quebec's aviation industry.

Looking at how Canada builds its strength, the hon. member should know that the regions are there to support one another. Therein lies Canada's strength, and it will continue to be a building block for Canada.

[Employment, March 20th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, if the Reform Party is so concerned about jobs, why did the leader of the Reform Party say in 1993 in Penticton that it would bring forth a financial plan that would cost the country jobs, not add jobs. That is what Reform members are prepared to run on. We have created 795,000 jobs in the private sector since we have taken office. That is 795,000 jobs more than Reform said it was capable of doing.

Look at the state of the country when we took office. Interest rates were going up, taxes were going up, the country was dispirited. As a result of the actions of this government and of Canadians, our interest rates are at an all time low. There is no longer a debate about rising taxes; the debate is about lowering taxes. The fact is there is hope in this land. Our exports are up, our inflation is down. Canadians know full well it is because we have confidence in them and Reform has confidence in nothing.

[Employment, March 20th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, how can the hon. member complain about the 9.9 per cent CPP premium rate that was arrived at by the federal government and eight of the provinces which have joint stewardship over the plan when the plan put forth by the member's party called for a rate of 13 per cent to 14.2 per cent? How can the hon. member stand up here and complain about the Canada pension plan?

Will he say what his party's super RRSP will do for Canadians who have an automobile accident and are suddenly disabled? I will tell him. It will do nothing. It will put that person on the dole. What will Reform do for parents who need maternity leave? Our Canada pension plan protects them; Reform abandons them. What will the Reform do if there is a market crash? The Canada pension plan will protect them; Reform will abandon them. That is the problem: Reform abandons Canadians.

[Employment, March 20th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, perhaps the hon. member would be interested in some of the economic indicators that came out this week.

Real merchandise exports increased 4.3 per cent in January. Manufacturing shipments rose 2.2 per cent in January. Retail sales increased 1.4 per cent in January. The help wanted index rose 1 per cent in February. Real gross domestic product and market prices grew 2.9 per cent annual rate in the fourth quarter. The fact is that Canada is on a roll.

[Goods And Services Tax, March 19th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, Mr. Speaker, I speak now as a Quebecer. I think it is very dangerous for a member of the Bloc to complain when another region of the country is given help, because Canada's strength lies in the fact that regions help each other and that the federal government is always there when it is needed.

When the time came to help the Montreal aeronautics industry, the federal government was there. When the time came to help Quebec after the flooding in the Saguenay, the federal government was there. When the time came to make equalization payments, the federal government was there.

What I think the Bloc member should know is that Canada's strength lies in its regions' helping one another. We are a country, and he should stop trying to divide us.

[Goods And Services Tax, March 19th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, the members of the Bloc can keep asking the same question; the answer will not change. I have heard all I can stand.

Quebec has lost no money. It has lost no more than the five per cent. With the other programs, the transfers of technology and partnerships, the equalization payments, the transfers to help the aeronautical and pharmaceutical industries in Montreal, Quebec has received a lot from the federal government.

If Quebec deserved money for harmonizing the GST, it would have been given some. Unfortunately, for Quebec, it did not lose any money.