House of Commons photoLost his last election, in 2019, with 34% of the vote.
Agriculture November 25th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, I would like to point out that the idea for this particular transaction originated with the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities. It is currently supported very strongly by SARM, the president of which is a former Conservative provincial cabinet minister in Saskatchewan.
It is also strongly supported by people like Nettie Wiebe, who is a former president of the National Farmers Union and a prominent New Democrat. This is not a partisan matter.
David Dingwall November 25th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, to the best of my knowledge, that matter is in the hands of the lawyers and the government will be guided by the appropriate legal advice.
David Dingwall November 25th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, there was a very telling news report last night on one of the national networks that reviewed a number of the announcements that the government has made: labour market partnership agreements, new military equipment, help for farmers, help for softwood lumber, help for senior citizens, residential fuel, aboriginals and so forth. The reporter pointed out that the member's party, which criticizes the government every day in the House, has made not one commitment to retract any one of those investments that the Government of Canada has made.
I only take it that it supports every one of those investments.
International Cooperation November 25th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, it was not indeed a fraud. As a matter of fact, as I made mention in my earlier answer, $342 million is going into the relief of diseases in Africa, specifically including AIDS.
I would also point out to the hon. gentleman that one particular area where Canada has been especially active is in the alleviation of the debts of the most heavily indebted poor countries of the world. We have put the better part of $4 billion to $5 billion into that over the last number of years. Canada was not a johnny-come-lately on that file. We were indeed the very first and we led the world.
International Cooperation November 25th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, let me just make a point, which the Minister of International Development has pointed out. In the last budget there was an increase of $3.4 billion, which will serve to double Canadian aid to Africa over the next two years and double Canadian aid, generally, around the world between now and the year 2011.
In the meantime, we are also investing $342 million in special measures in relation to diseases like malaria, tuberculosis, AIDS and others. We are putting $500 million into global peace and security that is being used in places like the Sudan and Darfur.
This government is very actively engaged.
Economic Statement November 25th, 2005
No, Mr. Speaker.
Economic Statement November 25th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, the correct figure is $538 million.
Income Trusts November 25th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, wrong, wrong and wrong. The opposition clearly is trying to put the country on the road to an election, but I wonder why that party always insists on the low road to anywhere.
The Canadian Association of Income Funds said, “We believe the government's decision is very positive.” The Canadian Chamber of Commerce said, “...the government recognized that there are inequities in the tax system. They're going after the right target here”. The Canadian Tax Foundation said, “It's good news for investors, and it's good news for people who raise capital in the market”.
If everybody else can get it, why can that party not get it?
Income Trusts November 25th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, it is amazing that everybody in the country can get it except those guys across the way.
The head of the Yellow Pages income trust has said that what we did this week showed managerial courage. Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan said, “ this will go a long way toward eliminating the current arbitrage among businesses. The minister and his advisers appear to have listened to the concerns of the pension community”. BMO Financial Group said, “By our yardstick, the minister of finance has come to the best public policy outcome, and for that he deserves credit”.
Finance November 25th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, it is clear that the opposition does not intend to retract, so let me just deal with the record over the last 10 years.
Under Conservatives, the federal debt was very nearly 70% of GDP. Today it is less than 40%. Under the Conservatives, our foreign debt was 43%. Today it is 15%. Under the Conservatives, debt servicing costs were 38%. Today they are 17%. Under the Conservatives, unemployment was 11.2%. Today it is less than 7%.