We invented it.
House of Commons photoLost his last election, in 2019, with 34% of the vote.
Agriculture November 22nd, 2005
We invented it.
Government Policies November 22nd, 2005
Mr. Speaker, I was very interested this morning to watch the reaction of the opposition leaders to the news about the purchase by National Defence of some very important military equipment. They wandered off into a bunch of other subjects and asked where the announcements were on softwood lumber, on agriculture and on other things? In their very own words, they were demanding more.
Government Policies November 22nd, 2005
Mr. Speaker, if the hon. gentleman wants to look at the record on senior citizens, this is the party and this is the government that removed the foreign property rule. We raised the RRSP limits. We are increasing the guaranteed income supplement. We are reducing taxes. We are removing 240,000 seniors from the tax rolls altogether. We have rendered the Canada pension plan actuarily sound for 75 years and we have indexed the entire tax system to protect seniors from inflation. That is a record to be proud of.
Equalization November 21st, 2005
Mr. Speaker, the hon. gentleman is plainly, flatly false in his preamble. He says that the $799 million that has flowed to Saskatchewan over the last 18 months is just in respect of previous anomalies in the formula. That is not true. The amount of $126 million relates to previous anomalies, but $672 million represent an increased amount. The hon. gentleman is simply wrong.
Taxation November 21st, 2005
Mr. Speaker, the government tries to maintain consumption taxes at the lowest possible level. That involves having a tax base that is fairly broad to ensure that the rate can be as low as it can be. On the other hand, there are exemptions and exceptions. Exceptions are made in the case of certain materials that are used with respect to education.
Taxation November 21st, 2005
Mr. Speaker, the government assists education across the country in a variety of ways, some of it through the direct transfer system between levels of government and some through tax rebates. In the case of the elementary and secondary school system, a rebate is in place. It is not the full 100% that applies to municipalities, but it is at a very generous level. I believe the number is 68%.
Government Contracts November 21st, 2005
Mr. Speaker, again I repeat the point that the contract was conducted fully within all of the rules and as a matter of complete transparency that all of those details were duly and properly published on the Internet before any issue was raised by the opposition.
Government Contracts November 21st, 2005
Mr. Speaker, the hon. gentleman's allegation is simply false. As a matter of fact, the contract was by and with the department. It was fully within all the rules that apply to these circumstances and, most important, it was fully published on the Internet.
Seniors November 18th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, a number of measures are before the House right now, brought forward by the government to assist senior citizens.
First, we propose to increase the GIS on both January 1, 2006 and January 1, 2007, assuming the House stays in session and does its business. Second, we have implemented an energy rebate program to help offset the high cost of energy for those who are in receipt of the GIS.
Again, if the House pays attention and passes the necessary legislation, we will make our best effort to ensure all eligible seniors get their money.
National Revenue November 18th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Minister of National Revenue, this obviously is a question of technical tax interpretation. I would be more than happy to take it under advisement and to provide the hon. member with a written explanation, including the rationale behind the tax policy.