House of Commons photoLost his last election, in 2019, with 34% of the vote.
Finance November 25th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, the opposition members cannot get away with a diversionary tactic. Their leader in the House yesterday made absolutely unacceptable remarks. Those remarks cannot stand.
The Leader of the Opposition is on his way to British Columbia. He should take the opportunity to meet there with the Prime Minister, apologize for his remarks, retract the offensive comments and for once, depart from his pattern of meanness and show a little dignity and courage.
Finance November 25th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, on fiscal matters, the hon. gentleman is flatly wrong, but let me deal with another issue.
I understand today that the opposition leader is travelling to British Columbia, where the Prime Minister is at the aboriginal summit. I hope the opposition leader will take the opportunity to apologize to the Prime Minister for the outrageous smears that he made in the House yesterday, and that members of his shadow cabinet repeated outside the House.
We have seen this kind of thing before from the Leader of the Opposition. This time I hope he shows a little dignity.
International Cooperation November 24th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, in the earlier answer I referred to the very significant dollars, billions of dollars, that this government has committed to increase foreign aid. What I did not refer to were the other billions of dollars, between $3 billion and $4 billion, that we have contributed to eliminate third world debt, the debts owed by the poorest countries of this world to the rich countries of this world. Canada is a leader in that crusade. When this campaign is concluded in about six years not one poor country on the face of the earth will owe $1 to Canada. The debt will be gone.
International Cooperation November 24th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, the fact of the matter is that in the budget in February we increased our foreign aid commitment by $3.4 billion which was the largest increase ever. That was later increased in the summer by another $500 million. We are investing $342 million in a variety of programs to assist in health improvements in Africa; $500 million to focus on peace and security; and we are also investing in the work at Doha to try to get a trade result in the international trade talks that will be friendly to the lesser developed countries of this world.
Ethics November 24th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, the hon. gentleman's allegations are simply untrue. We can go through the points that he raised in his preamble and refute them one by one. On one for example, he referred to a particular contract that was let fully within the rules and it was fully published on the Internet before those folks across the way had even read the morning newspaper.
Canada Revenue Agency November 24th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, what a crock of unmitigated horse feathers.
Let us look at the record. From its peak at 68% of GDP when the Conservatives were in office, Canada's debt ratio today stands at just 38%. It is on its way to 25% and then 20% within 15 years. Our debt load when those people across the way were in office was the second worst in the G-7. Today it is the very best. The proportion of our debt that was in foreign hands when they were in office, 43%. Today it is just 15%.
That party drove this country into the ground.
Canada Revenue Agency November 24th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, that type of question is really beneath contempt.
The Canada Revenue Agency is administering the tax rules of this country in a fair and equitable manner. It tries to be efficient and effective in the work that it does. On the other issues, no one in this country is above the law and the government will ensure that that is in fact the case.
Child Poverty November 24th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, the increase in the basic personal amount of tax exemption, the reduction in the lowest rate up to $36,000, will be of great assistance to low income Canadians.
Most importantly, this fiscal update included probably the best innovation in tax policy and social policy in the last decade, that is the creation of the working income tax benefit. That will help low income Canadians get over that welfare wall, get into the job market, and enjoy economic success.
Income Trusts November 24th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, it is very strange to see how everybody else in the country can understand it, but this one finance critic from the Conservative Party cannot understand it.
I quoted the real estate association. I quoted the income funds association. I quoted the Canadian Association of Retired Persons. Let me quote from BMO Nesbitt Burns, which states that this result “doesn't penalize the existing trusts and gets rid of a high rate of double taxation on dividends. I see this as a very positive move...”. Goodman & Company says, “This is outstanding”. The Yellow Pages Group believes “the decision to cut the taxation on dividends will make Canada more competitive”.
Income Trusts November 24th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, the hon. gentleman knows that is untrue. In fact, he contents himself with dealing in the realm of political fluff.
I would prefer to quote the Canadian Association of Income Funds, which says it is “pleased with the federal government's decision to take a practical and even-handed approach in leveling the playing field”, or the Canadian Association of Retired Persons, which says, “Kudos to the federal finance minister”, or the Real Property Association of Canada, which says we are to be congratulated for the serious work that we have done on this file.