House of Commons photoLost his last election, in 2019, with 34% of the vote.
Equalization February 25th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, we are in the last year of a five year period for equalization. The new period begins on April 1. There is legislation before the House at the moment to extend the present arrangement. I am in discussions with provinces and others about the renewal formula.
When the renewal is in place, it will provide over the next five years something in the order of $1.3 billion or more to the receiving provinces, on top of the basic entitlement.
Equalization February 25th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, we have already made the commitment that the first $2 billion from the surplus will indeed go to health care. We have the legislation before the House right now that will ensure that the provinces can take that money in the fiscal year in which they wish to receive it.
We have established a process agreed to by all first ministers to work on health care sustainability over this spring and summer leading to further conclusions later on this year. The process is already in place and should not be pre-empted.
Finance February 24th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, first, of course, I must totally reject the preamble to the hon. gentleman's question.
I am very pleased to announce that I shall bring down my first budget for the Government of Canada in the House of Commons on March 23, 2004, at 4 p.m.
Equalization Payments February 24th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, the entitlements under the revised formula for equalization across the country will be going up by some $1.3 billion over the course of the next five years.
Obviously, we want an equalization program that is strong and robust. We wish to help municipalities in this country. I have noted that the mayors of Quebec City, Montreal, Laval and Gatineau have all applauded the measures taken by the government with respect to cities.
Equalization Payments February 24th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, in my discussions with the finance minister from the Province of Quebec, he indicated to me that his number one priority was to secure the $2 billion that was indicated in the last health accord.
In fact, we have delivered on that $2 billion. We have put legislation in the House that will ensure that it is delivered and delivered in the fiscal year in which each province wishes to receive it. We have met Quebec's number one priority.
Equalization Payments February 24th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, indeed, we are changing the equalization formula. After more than a year of extensive discussions with the provinces and others, we are introducing a number of changes, the vast majority of which favour the calculation toward Quebec.
Budgetary Surplus February 23rd, 2004
Mr. Speaker, the finance ministers of the provinces generally said to me that they thought health care was the leading priority.
Their first priority was to get the $2 billion that had been committed conditionally last year. That of course has been done, $2 billion, and it is the subject of legislation in the House right at this moment. This will make sure that the provinces can receive those funds, each one of them within the fiscal year that is most advantageous to them.
On top of that, the first ministers have all agreed on a process leading toward greater sustainability in health care to be pursued this spring and summer.
Budgetary Surplus February 23rd, 2004
Mr. Speaker, in the period that we are now in, we are in the process of the renewal of the equalization formula.
I am pleased to say that the Government of Canada has worked very hard on the arithmetic. We have a proposal that would increase the value of equalization by some $1.3 billion over the course of the next five years.
I have undertaken in my conversation with the finance ministers on Friday to see if there are some other ways in which that arithmetic could be improved further. I would point out that is $1.3 billion on top of about $9 billion that flows every year through equalization.
Equalization Payments February 19th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, the equalization program is a very valuable federal program at about $10 billion a year. The largest beneficiary province in the country is the province of Quebec. That is a natural part of the cohesion that holds this nation together. I can assure the hon. member that when the renewal package is concluded, it will be retroactive to April 1 of this year.
Resumption of Debate on Address in Reply February 16th, 2004
Madam Speaker, I rise on a point of order. Earlier today in question period in providing an answer to the opposition, I made reference to three specific reports that were filed a number of years ago verbally with the Department of Finance.
I have had the opportunity this afternoon to review the record, to just check on that arithmetic. I have also re-examined the report of the Auditor General and in fact my reference should have been to five reports, not three.