Ralph Goodale

[Budget Surplus, November 17th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, indeed we do. I have already mentioned the money that has gone into agriculture, for example.

The honourable gentleman mentioned issues related to the environment. We have in fact invested $2.7 billion to deal with climate change. We have invested another $4 billion to deal with the cleanup of contaminated sites. We have invested in ethanol, wind power and carbon sequestration. We have a very elaborate agenda for dealing with the environment and under the environment minister, it will increase.

[Taxation, November 17th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to answer that question as a former minister of agriculture in this House.

We have put on the books of this country a $5.5 billion safety net system to assist farmers in difficult circumstances. We have, over the course of the last year and a half, put in place $2 billion to be of particular assistance in the case of BSE. We are fighting the fight for farmers at the WTO in order to maintain their trade rights and their marketing rights around the world. Indeed, as further requirements arise in agriculture, they will get a very sympathetic ear from this finance minister and this Prime Minister.

[Taxation, November 17th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, that opportunity happens many times during the year: the debate on the estimates, the debate on the public accounts, the debate on the budget, and the debate in the finance committee of the House of Commons and its prebudget consultations. Indeed, I look forward to the very learned and constructive contributions of all members of Parliament to the shaping of the future surplus.

[Taxation, November 17th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, what have we done with the country's fiscal strength?

We have had seven consecutive surplus budgets, $61 billion in reduced debt, $3 billion in lower interest costs every year, consistently low interest rates, low inflation, a AAA credit rating, the fastest growing standard of living in the G-7, $100 billion in tax cuts, 10 consecutive cuts in EI rates and $200 billion in the social and economic priorities of Canadians, like health care, Canada pension and early intervention for children. We are building the future.

[Taxation, November 17th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, a number of years ago, when the Prime Minister was the minister of finance, the government implemented the biggest tax cuts in Canadian history, $100 billion.

The financial statement yesterday spoke about the value of a competitive tax system and the need to maintain that kind of tax system in Canada, and we will do that. That is all part of having the best fiscal record in Canadian history and the best fiscal record in the G-7.

[Taxation, November 5th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member makes a representation. Some others in Saskatchewan have made the same representation. Some have made the opposite representation actually. I am anxious to ensure on behalf of the Government of Canada that all tax rules and regulations are applied properly and fairly.

Quite frankly at the end of the day when we stack up political records, one against the other, I will match the hon. gentleman any day and I will beat him five times to Sunday.

[Taxation, November 5th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, as the hon. gentleman will know, the administration of tax rules falls to the Minister of National Revenue, not the Minister of Finance. It would be helpful if he understood the machinery of government.

In the last number of months I have had the opportunity to make representations to the Minister of National Revenue on behalf of Saskatchewan sports organizations. I am also pleased to say that the government is making very sure that the rules apply in an equitable and fair-minded fashion, evenly and fairly to all Canadians with no discriminatory impact in Saskatchewan or anywhere.

[Textile and Clothing Industry, November 5th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, first of all I would be very happy to receive that representation. I have not had the opportunity to see it personally yet, but I am sure it is on the way to me. In the meantime I would say to the member and others in the House, including many on the government side, that we are very anxious to ensure a secure and prosperous future for the textile and apparel industry.

The issues are not simple ones. They require a thoughtful approach. We are applying that approach and we expect to achieve success.

[Textile and Clothing Industry, November 5th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member will know that the issues affecting the textile industry and the apparel industry in Canada are complex and interconnected. Some benefit from tariffs, some do not. Some benefit from tariff relief, some do not.

We are trying to work our way through this complex collection of issues and existing support measures to ensure that we provide the right kind of support to our industry, support that gives real hope and opportunity to Canadian workers, including workers in Quebec.

[Textile and Clothing Industry, November 5th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, the government is indeed working very hard on this file: my department with the Department of Industry and with many members in our caucus who are very concerned about the future impacts. We are looking for the appropriate way to make sure that the textile and apparel industry in Canada is properly supported.

In the meantime, I am pleased to report to the House that as of this morning employment increased in Canada in the month of October by another 34,000 jobs, following 43,000 jobs in September, for a total of 190,000 new positions this year.