Paul Martin

[Taxation, May 28th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, as the hon. member knows, in the last budget, and in fact in the budget prior to that as well, we substantially improved the tax credits for people with disabilities. It is the government's intention to continue to do this.

I will certainly examine the issue the member has raised.

[Securities Commissions, May 24th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, the poor member seems to really have a weak grasp on what a functioning economy is all about.

Certainly, a functioning economy is my business. Job creation is my business. Investment in the Canadian economy is my business, and our government's business. This is where we and the Bloc Quebecois members over there differ.

[Securities Commissions, May 24th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, before asking questions, the member over there ought perhaps to at least read the speech.

What I said was that Canada has at least 30 different financial sector regulators. Moreover, some will say the number is even in excess of 40.

This imposes an enormous cost on Canada's financial system. If we are to be competitive with other countries, we will need far more discipline and a far more efficient system. That is what I said.

[Charitable Organizations, May 23rd, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member asks the question from a wealth of personal knowledge and experience. He also asked it from a deep appreciation of the invaluable contribution that Canadian charities have made to the fabric of our society right across the land.

I can assure him that the Minister of National Revenue and myself, through our departments, are working very closely with the voluntary sector to explore all avenues that will result in more effective and more transparent regulation on charities.

[Accounting Standards, May 22nd, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, transparency, certainly, is appearing before a House of Commons committee. The Canada Foundation for Innovation has appeared seven times in front of parliamentary committees and members have the opportunity to discuss with the president the kinds of projects which are being financed.

I must say that when we look at the billions of dollars that have gone into research and Canadian industries in the new economy in terms of environmental technology, biotechnology, nanotechnology and information technology, all of those industries are now growing in Canada compared to other countries. Venture capital is faster here than in the United States. Our policies are working.

[Accounting Standards, May 22nd, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, first, all of those foundations are audited by private sector auditors. Second, those foundations, as an example the Canada Foundation for Innovation and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, were mentioned in the speech and were welcomed by the venture capitalists, because basic research forms the foundation with applied research, the commercialization of the research and the job creation that follows.

Yes, I did lay out a very detailed plan as to how we build a modern economy and it was applauded.

[Airline Security, May 8th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Transport has already explained that extensive security measures have already been put in place throughout the entire airline system. Further measures are going in week after week. The situation is being brought up to where it really must be. The government has made it very clear that it is not going to make any money on this but it is going to ask those who benefit from the service to pay for it.

I simply remind the hon. member that of the $7.5 billion in national security expenditures, over $5.5 billion were paid for by the general taxpaying public.

[The Economy, May 6th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, it will certainly lower borrowing costs in Canada. It will certainly encourage investment.

What is every bit as important is that when Canada was downgraded in 1995, this was deemed confirmation of the difficulties we faced. This upgrade to the highest credit rating is confirmation of the remarkable fiscal turnaround engineered by Canadians. This is not arid numbers on a balance sheet. This is a great Canadian victory.

[Taxation, May 2nd, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, the government is constantly reviewing tax policy and obviously we are constantly reviewing those areas to which the tax policy applies, and we will continue to do that.

[Pensions, April 30th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, quite the contrary. I have, on a number of occasions, met with those in the city of Windsor and elsewhere who were concerned with this issue. I am quite prepared to continue.

The fact is that this is part of a treaty with the United States and we are bound by the provisions of that treaty. Canada negotiated that treaty under this government and improved it substantially.