Mr. Chair, the minister is freezing EI premiums at a higher rate until after the election.
House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2015, with 71% of the vote.
Business of Supply May 14th, 2014
Mr. Chair, the minister is freezing EI premiums at a higher rate until after the election.
Business of Supply May 14th, 2014
Mr. Chair, why is it okay for the minister to pad his books with higher EI premiums to create a phony surplus on the eve of an election, but it is not okay to gradually increase CPP premiums to help Canadians have a better retirement?
Why are higher payroll premiums okay for Conservative politics but not okay for Canadian pensioners?
Business of Supply May 14th, 2014
Mr. Chair, does the minister agree with the following quote from Finance Canada's briefing materials?
In the long run, expanding the CPP would bring economic benefits. Higher savings will lead to higher income in the future and higher consumption possibilities for seniors.
Business of Supply May 14th, 2014
Mr. Chair, there should be some adjustment for time.
Business of Supply May 14th, 2014
Mr. Chair, does the minister believe that an annual income of $12,500 per year from CPP is enough for a Canadian senior to live on? If not, does he agree with his predecessor who wrote to the provinces saying that we should consider a modest phased-in and fully-funded enhancement to define benefits under the CPP?
Business of Supply May 14th, 2014
Mr. Chair, I am actually quite glad that the minister recognizes that in fact economic growth can help Canada take care of its debt issue and he actually agrees with my leader in that regard. In fact, the expert testimony I was quoting was the hon. member when he appeared before the finance committee.
I would like to move on to CPP. Does the minister agree with the following statement?
...I am concerned that some Canadians may not save enough for their retirement. ...I heard strong support for the Canada pension plan and the central role that it plays in our government-supported retirement...system.
I believe that we should consider a modest, phased-in and fully funded enhancement to defined benefits under the CPP in order to increase savings adequacy in the future.
Does the minister agree with that?
Business of Supply May 14th, 2014
Mr. Chair, at the House of Commons finance committee pre-budget consultations, we heard testimony that:
Debt reduction is a priority, but not the number one priority.... The measures we have been advocating are designed to create a more dynamic and growing economy, which increases the GDP, which by itself reduces the proportion of debt to GDP. It's the ratio that is more significant than the actual absolute dollar amount.
Does the minister agree with this testimony before the finance committee that in fact Canada can grow its economy and that growing the economy will help Canada take care of its debt problem?
Business of Supply May 14th, 2014
Mr. Chair, if the minister believes that unnecessarily high payroll premiums are a job killer and we have long-term unemployment in Canada, twice that of 2008—in fact around 130,000 Canadians have been unemployed for over a year today, compared to 60,000-some back in 2008—why is the minister waiting until 2017 to reduce EI premiums? Why will he not cut EI premiums next year?
Business of Supply May 14th, 2014
Mr. Chair, if the minister believes that unnecessarily high payroll taxes are a job killer, why is he projecting a surplus of $2.4 billion in 2015 and $6.4 billion in 2016 under his current levels of EI premiums, and if he actually wants to live by his previous statement, will he cut EI premiums to reflect the sustainability of the program?
Business of Supply May 14th, 2014
Mr. Chair, what is the minister's view on the relationship between payroll taxes and job creation?