Indeed, Mr. Speaker, last year we instituted a new floor under the equalization system that effectively eliminated the equalization clawback for Saskatchewan last year.
House of Commons photoLost his last election, in 2019, with 34% of the vote.
Natural Resources February 3rd, 2005
Indeed, Mr. Speaker, last year we instituted a new floor under the equalization system that effectively eliminated the equalization clawback for Saskatchewan last year.
Taxation February 3rd, 2005
Mr. Speaker, following the recent federal initiatives regarding health and equalization, this year Quebec will receive close to $1 billion more from the Government of Canada. Next year, it will receive more than $1.8 billion. As for previous years, we have shown great flexibility. For 2004 alone, we erased an amount of close to $1 billion that was owed by Quebec to the Government of Canada, and we also postponed the repayment of another $2.4 billion.
Taxation February 3rd, 2005
Mr. Speaker, over the years a number of provinces have raised questions about the calculations pertaining to equalization. Different provinces have different perspectives about what should be included, what should not be included and at what rate of inclusion and so forth.
Because of that, the Government of Canada has done two things. First of all, we have established a pool for equalization at an all time record high and it will escalate year by year at the rate of 3.5%. Second, we have established an independent expert panel to take issues like this very good one raised by the member of the Bloc Québécois into consideration to determine how to shape equalization for the future.
Natural Resources February 2nd, 2005
Mr. Speaker, fairness for Saskatchewan was recognizing a $120 million error in the structure of the equalization program and fixing that error by sending that money to Saskatchewan.
Fairness for Saskatchewan was putting a floor under the equalization system last year which has resulted in an incremental $590 million for Saskatchewan in this year alone.
Fairness for Saskatchewan is assisting that province to graduate from equalization all together. People in Saskatchewan want fairness from the Government of Canada. They want to see the government engaged in their province doing good and constructive things, but they want--
The Environment February 1st, 2005
Mr. Speaker, a successful battle against greenhouse gases will involve a variety of measures. It will obviously involve economic instruments. It will obviously involve strategic investments in science and technology. It will involve the encouragement of common sense behaviour on the part of individual citizens and businesses across the country. The Government of Canada will approach this matter in a comprehensive way because we intend to honour our international obligations.
Finance January 31st, 2005
Mr. Speaker, we have cut taxes in every budget since 1997. In the course of the last election, we made a number of commitments to Canadians: commitments on health care, equalization, child care, cities, defence, foreign affairs and a number of other matters. Canadians can be assured the government will keep all of its promises.
Finance January 31st, 2005
Mr. Speaker, as the hon. gentleman knows, I am now deep in the midst of prebudget consultations. I have had the opportunity to meet him and the finance critics for the Bloc Québécois and for the NDP. All of their views and representations will be taken into account as reflected in the throne speech debate, as reflected in the finance committee's report and as reflected in the debate that is happening in the House today and tomorrow. All of that will be very carefully weighed and respected.
Budget Implementation Act, 2004, No. 2 December 14th, 2004
moved that Bill C-33, a second act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on March 23, 2004, be read the second time and referred to a committee.
Textile and Clothing Industry December 14th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, as I indicated earlier, in cooperation with the Minister of Industry, the Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and all members of the government caucus, we have been working on a comprehensive package of measures to assist the textile and apparel industry.
That will consist of a combination of tariff relief, duty remission and sectoral adjustment assistance. Over the course of the next five years we expect to triple our support for this industry.
Textile and Clothing Industry December 14th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, the apparel and textile industry consists of several hundred companies across Canada which employ close to 150,000 Canadians. I have repeatedly indicated that a number of urgent issues affecting the industry will be addressed by the government before the end of this year. In fact, I intend to do so later today.
Combined federal support for the apparel and textile industry currently amounts to about $41 million per year. Due to the hard work of Liberal government caucus members, that support will more than triple over the next five years in a combination of tariff relief, duty remission and sectoral adjustments.