Ralph Goodale

[Budget Surplus, October 7th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, the Government of Canada is very proud to be investing in the learning and innovation systems of this country. That is extremely important to the future of every Canadian.

We provide $2.1 billion in cash transfers through the CST. We provide $1.7 billion in the transfer of tax points. We provide $600 million through the equalization system. We provide $5 billion in direct federal contributions in student aid, research and development and tax measures, plus early learning and child care, literacy, workplace training, immigration settlement, foreign credentials and aboriginal investments.

We are supporting--

[Budget Surplus, October 7th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, I would point out that 7 of the 10 provinces are currently reporting their own surpluses. Thanks to federal fiscal responsibility, the accumulated federal debt is coming down. However, I would point out that it remains almost twice as large as all the combined provincial and territorial debt taken together.

In this last year federal transfers to the provinces have reached an all-time record high, and on top of that, we have announced in the House increases over the next 10 years that will amount to $100 billion more.

[Budget Surplus, October 7th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member seems to question the fiscal prudence of the Government of Canada.

I would point out to her that fiscal prudence, balanced budgets, surpluses and debt reduction have resulted in this country achieving a triple A credit rating. That translates into the lowest possible interest rates and across the board savings for every Canadian borrower including individual consumers, businesses, municipalities, the Government of Canada, and every province and territory in this country.

[Budget Surplus, October 7th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member should perhaps wait for the legislation which has not yet been tabled and, as you know under the rules of this House, I cannot anticipate that legislation.

However, I would point out that the government has followed over the last number of years a very considered policy to pay down debt, to reduce taxes, and to invest in the most important priorities of Canadians which include areas such as health care and education which are of interest as well to the provinces.

[David Dingwall, October 7th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. gentleman knows that Mr. Dingwall's expenses are being examined very carefully and we will receive that report in due course.

I wonder if we should also have an examination of the expenditures of Conservative candidates like John Baird and Jim Flaherty who continue to draw salaries from Ontario taxpayers while campaigning for the federal Conservative Party. Maybe that should be investigated.

[Softwood Lumber, October 7th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. gentleman makes reference to photo opportunities. I can understand that the Conservatives are rather sensitive about that after the rather disastrous tour that their leader had this summer with his abortive attempts at photo opportunities.

The fact of the matter is that last night in New York City the Prime Minister of this country gave a forceful defence of Canadian rights and interests in the arena of world trade and he spoke to the business leaders of America who have to hear that message loud and clear.

[Clothing and Textile Industries, October 6th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, what we indicated yesterday is that there are two sides to this industry: the apparel side and the textile side. A proposal is being developed to deal with the re-importing of product. We have been working with both sides of this industry since March to develop a proposal to which they can both agree. We want both sides to be winners.

[Gasoline Prices, October 6th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, I am afraid the hon. gentleman does not understand the tax system. He seems to imply that energy companies in this country, wherever they may be located in Canada, do not pay taxes. In fact, they do. The last statistics I saw indicated that to federal, provincial and municipal governments they contributed something in the order of $16 billion per year.

[Gasoline Prices, October 6th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, the fact of the matter is that a major component of our announcement today was action being taken by the Minister of Natural Resources and the Minister of Industry to strengthen transparency and competitiveness in the marketplace.

We want to make sure that the information on price fluctuations, the reasons behind those fluctuations, their size, their rate of increase and their rate of decrease, all of that, is laid bare for all Canadians to see. Then the appropriate consequences can follow.

[Gasoline Prices, October 6th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, what we put before the House today in the new legislation is a package that amounts to $2.4 billion. That is a significant contribution to try to relieve some of the pressure of higher energy costs.

We are focused upon the most vulnerable where we have the delivery platforms already in place, in terms of the national child tax benefit and the GIS supplement for seniors.

We invite the provinces to participate with us. We are glad to hear that some provinces are willing to do that. As I said, we are looking for other ways in which we can improve the disposable incomes of Canadians and we will do that.