Ralph Goodale

[Taxation, October 21st, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, a review of equalization is already under way. I expect to receive a report on that during the course of this coming winter.

I would also point out that in addition to increasing transfer payments to the provinces by $100 billion, we have also reduced the tax burden on Canadians by $100 billion.

If the provinces believe that they need more taxes, we have provided them some room that they could occupy, if they think that is the right thing to do.

[Taxation, October 21st, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, the government has already announced in the course of our last two budgets that we are not only taking existing transfer payments to an all-time record level, which they are now at, but over the course of the next decade, we have already indicated the resources that will be added to those transfer payments, totalling in excess of $100 billion.

[Lobbyists, October 21st, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member has obviously put some allegations on the floor of the House.

I would emphasize once again that the registrar is a completely independent officer. The registrar does not take instruction from the government and I am sure that the hon. member would not wish it to be otherwise.

[Lobbyists, October 21st, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, the registrar administers the act in a completely independent manner. The registrar seeks no advice from any minister in the Government of Canada. If the registrar has reason to believe that there has been a contravention, he will take the appropriate steps to ensure that the law is enforced.

[Clothing and Textile Industries, October 20th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, as I have indicated to the House on previous occasions with respect to textiles, first of all, we announced last Christmas a very significant assistance package. Since then, we have been proceeding to implement that package.

We are looking at various solutions on the re-importation of materials that hopefully both the apparel and the textile industry can agree upon. We have been working with both sides of the industry since March to arrive at that kind of amicable solution that they all can agree to.

[Motions for Papers, October 19th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, under the rules of the House, I ask that this matter be transferred for debate.

[Unanticipated Surpluses Act, October 7th, 2005]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-67, An Act respecting the allocation of unanticipated surpluses and to amend the Income Tax Act.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)

[Home Heating Prices, October 7th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, criticism is fair enough, but I think the hon. gentleman should be careful with his facts. The mileage allowances that were discussed yesterday were in fact as a result of an automatic process quite independent from the government and over which the government had no discretion.

The deputy government House leader has indicated that he intends to take the portion of that, the part relating to politicians, before the Board of Internal Economy which, Mr. Speaker, you chair. All members of the House can then exercise their judgment on whether that is appropriate or not.

In addition to that, there is an income tax mileage allowance adjustment that the Government of Canada deals with, and we will be raising that allowance.

[Home Heating Prices, October 7th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, our plan involves $2.4 billion to $2.5 billion. That is obviously a significant amount of relief. We have invested primarily in the most vulnerable of our citizens, those citizens for whom we have a delivery responsibility in terms of the social services programs through the guaranteed income supplement and the national child benefit.

We invite the provinces to participate with us which some have indicated they intend to do. As I indicated on other occasions, there will be other measures taken by the government to improve the disposable incomes of all Canadians.

[Softwood Lumber, October 7th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister's message yesterday in New York was very clear. All countries must live up to their international agreements. The duties on softwood must be refunded and free trade must be fair trade.

The Prime Minister did not make a linkage between softwood and energy, but he did make the point that NAFTA itself is drawn into question when NAFTA's rules are obviously ignored. Energy is a part of NAFTA. That is a fact, just as market opportunities in China and India are a fact.