House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2006, with 48% of the vote.
Taxation March 14th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, the member says that the conference board used our figures.
It did projections over a 20 year period. We have always said that projections over 20 years are not realistic.
Take the last 15 years in the United States. Last year, the United States predicted an incredible surplus and this year they are looking at a deficit. We say that projections over 20 years are not realistic.
Taxation March 14th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, again, looking at the figures quoted by the leader of the Bloc Quebecois, the conference board, according to its projections, is predicting, as he just mentioned, a deficit next year for Quebec, and the PQ government.
However, we see this morning that what Quebec is predicting for next year is a surplus.
Taxation March 14th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, allow me to quote the conference board, which says that “This scenario assumes that the government will not allocate any of its surplus to tax reductions, new spending or additional transfers”.
And here is its conclusion, I am quoting the conference board once again, “The exercise is purely hypothetical—”.
The Economy March 14th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, if the Leader of the Opposition had been paying attention to government policy in the House what he would see is that as a result of the actions of the government, our corporate taxes, in a couple of years, will be lower than the United States'. Our capital gains taxes are now lower than the United States'. Those are the kinds of policies that will lead to increased productivity. On our debt, we have the highest reduction in the debt ratio of any industrial country over the last number of years. The fact is, we have produced and Canadians are producing.
Strategic Infrastructure Fund March 13th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, what the Department of Finance said was that savings from the debt paydown will be used for this purpose, in other words, building strategic infrastructure. However, we did not say that would be the only source of funds.
Infrastructure March 13th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, the deal can be seen in the unprecedented number of major infrastructure programs in terms of highways, in terms of clean water, in terms of the amount of money, with the doubling of funds, that has gone to the municipalities for green infrastructure, the strategic infrastructure fund under the Deputy Prime Minister, and in terms of the very active and in fact unprecedented work that has been taken by the caucus transport committee on urban issues.
The fact is that this side of the House and that side of the House in that corner have taken their responsibility very--
Infrastructure March 13th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, two weeks ago, at a very important meeting with a number of the big city mayors, a number of ministers present here today met with them, discussed their financial problems, talked about the necessity of a new deal and recognized the very severe financial constraints under which they operate.
It is our intention to continue with those discussions because we recognize the urbanization of Canada. At the same time we also recognize the very real needs which exist in the regions of Canada. We will approach both with the same degree of dedication.
Taxation March 13th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, I repeat once again that I am certainly prepared to discuss with my provincial counterparts any topics they wish to address.
Now, speaking of taxation, I ought perhaps to just remind the Bloc Quebecois critic that, with the October budget, Canada reduced taxes by the greatest amount ever in our history: $100 billion over five years.
Taxation March 13th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, whenever I meet with my provincial counterparts, we talk about all aspects of taxation. We did so at our last meeting, and we will do so at our upcoming meetings.
That having been said, I am happy to see that the Bloc Quebecois leader now agrees that by making projections for the next five years, the Conference Board has clearly established that there is no fiscal imbalance.
Taxation March 13th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, I am certainly prepared to talk with my colleagues about topics that interest them.
That having been said, it is the Chambre de commerce du Quebec and the Conseil du patronat that are denying fiscal imbalance, not me.
According to the Conference Board projections for the next five years submitted by the Séguin commission, there is no imbalance.