House of Commons photoLost his last election, in 2019, with 34% of the vote.
Natural Resources March 7th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, the government negotiated in good faith with Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador and achieved a very important agreement for both provinces, keeping faith with the commitments that were made by the Prime Minister in the summer of last year.
The appropriate legislation will be presented to the House as part of the budget implementation process.
The Budget March 7th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, last week I was very pleased to hear the comments of representatives of the United Nations with respect to child poverty. They pointed out that in this budget the step forward we are taking on early childhood development and child care is a major advance and that the tax reductions we have included focused upon the lowest income taxpayers in the country are a major advance. These are on top of the child tax benefit, on top of the other initiatives to create jobs. They make it possible for all Canadians, including those with the lowest incomes, to enjoy an improved quality of life.
The Budget March 7th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, progressively over several budgets we have invested heavily in this area, something like $11 billion or $12 billion altogether in various ways to advance post-secondary education, including assistance to students. We invest now about $4.7 billion every year to support post-secondary education and make access issues easier to overcome.
I am pleased to report that in this budget we put in another $1 billion to advance the cause of post-secondary education and the innovation agenda in this country.
Housing February 24th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, there is no more aggressive advocate for social housing and affordable housing in Canada than the current minister responsible for CMHC.
There is $1 billion at the present moment within the fiscal framework that we are working on very closely with the provinces to distribute it across the country for new affordable housing. We have $2 billion a year that we are putting into the ongoing sustaining of social housing. We have committed that in the future we will invest an additional $1.5 billion in housing issues in the country, as soon as we get the initial--
The Budget February 24th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, that is most unparliamentary to comment on the demeanour and the countenance of the Leader of the Opposition.
I would rather refer to another issue that the NDP is very fond of and that is the environment. I note the news releases issued by a variety of organizations. The Canadian Wind Energy Association supports the budget. The Canadian Urban Transit Association supports the budget. The Canada Green Building Council supports the budget. The Forest Products Association of Canada supports the budget.
This budget is so green, it should have been announced on St. Patrick's Day, so that clean air and renewable energy will--
The Budget February 24th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, there was about $1 billion of investment in yesterday's budget with respect to research and post-secondary education, and the indirect costs that universities have to bear. The government also invests somewhere between $4.5 billion and $5 billion every year in various forms of student assistance and university support, on top of the Canada social transfer which puts about $15 billion per year into the hands of the provinces to help deal with issues related to post-secondary education and other concerns. Education is, and will continue to be, a priority of the government.
Airports February 24th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, as the finance minister who just delivered $710 million to Saskatchewan, I think I have demonstrated that I care.
The rental increases that the hon. gentleman refers to, and not just in Saskatchewan but elsewhere, are not rental increases that will take place this year. They will take place next year. I can assure the hon. member as I have assured the people of Regina that this matter will be dealt with in ample time.
Airports February 24th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Transport has not broken his word. The hon. gentleman has indicated the answer to his question in the very question. He said the rental increase with respect to Regina and other places is scheduled to take place in 2006. I would remind him this is still 2005.
The Budget February 24th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, the Government of Canada is just completing one five year tax reduction program that has achieved for all Canadians a cumulative tax cut of $100 billion. That is the effect as of 2004. For the average Canadian family of two children and $60,000 income, that represents a tax reduction over the last five years of 35%.
The Budget February 24th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, the Government of Canada is addressing a number of the requirements of the provinces with respect to their fiscal requirements. We are increasing health care by $41 billion over the next 10 years. We are increasing equalization by $33 billion over the next 10 years. We are increasing our support for child care. We are increasing our support for cities and communities. We are increasing our support for infrastructure. We are increasing our support in a number of realms that will be most helpful to Quebeckers and to all Canadians.