House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2015, with 64% of the vote.
Taxation March 28th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, our approach is clear.
We are balancing the budget without increasing taxes. I know that the NDP wants to increase the GST by more than $10 billion, impose a carbon tax of more than $20 billion and tax job creators to the tune of more than $30 billion. That is obviously the socialist approach.
We have a very different approach on this side of the House, where we encourage job creation by lowering taxes.
The Environment March 27th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, as I said, we are working with every level, with the private sector and with other levels of government, certainly, to communicate this message. I would be delighted, as I said, to work with any members of the Liberal Party who share our objectives.
I think what I am saying to the leader of the Liberal Party is that I think this is a good idea. I wish he had such good ideas a bit earlier.
While I am on my feet, I do want to thank him for his service, for bringing his intellect, his patriotism and his tenacity to the House of Commons.
The Environment March 27th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, I can assure the House that this government is coordinating its activities with the other governments in Canada, the vast majority of which strongly support this project. We will continue to convey that message.
Obviously, if the members of the Liberal Party agree and are willing to join in on this effort, I am always happy to accept such an offer of assistance.
The Environment March 27th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, I can certainly assure the leader of the Liberal Party that our government is making its views known at every level of the American government on an ongoing basis on this matter that is important, in our judgment, to trade, to jobs and to energy security on both sides of the border.
Obviously, I would be delighted to work with all Canadians who favour these good things for our country. If the leader of the Liberal Party could point me to any, I would certainly be willing to take that list.
Taxation March 27th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, we will have a vote on the budget tonight, a budget that has been very well-received by Canadians.
I know we will have very strong support on this side of the House. I hope members on that side of the House will finally give up these attempts to convince people they would somehow be better off with higher taxes, somehow be better off at raising tax rates on employers, somehow better off by hiking the GST back up to 7%, somehow better off by making a carbon tax at $20 billion.
The OECD and others have recognized that Canada is on the right track, balancing our budget, keeping our debt low and keeping our taxes down.
Taxation March 27th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, I know that the NDP is in favour of raising taxes in order to sink us deeper in debt and increase spending. However, that is not what Canadians want.
Today the OECD indicated that Canada is keeping its taxes low. That is our commitment to the Canadian people.
Taxation March 27th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, the exact opposite is true.
I know that the NDP wants to increase the GST for consumers across Canada. It wants to raise taxes for job creators and, more specifically, it advocates a carbon tax of more than $20 billion.
Our commitment, recognized today by the OECD, is to balance the budget while keeping federal taxes low.
Taxation March 26th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, if the Liberal Party members were actually listening to Canadians, they would understand that this is a very important issue to the Canadian economy, their most important issue on which they expect governments to act, to work to create jobs. This is something we want to do in partnership, not just with provincial governments but, quite frankly, with job creators and with job seekers. They are the ones we have to put together to actually make things happen. This government is determined to act and we have the strong support of the Canadian people to do it.
Taxation March 26th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, we made this announcement because, on this side of the House, we are taking action. It is important to act and to tackle our problems head-on. There is a shortage of certain skills for jobs that are available. We want to work in collaboration and in partnership with the provinces and the private sector so that we can be sure to fill these positions. It is essential that we take action and find jobs for the unemployed people in our country.
Taxation March 26th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, one of the biggest economic problems we have in our country is not simply that there are not jobs for people, but in many cases there are not people for jobs that could be filled. This is something this government has heard in talking to Canadians all across the country. It is a matter that we are determined to address.
Obviously we are planning to sit down and discuss this with the provinces, the private sector and our partners. We do want to see a partnership on that. However, it is absolutely important that we move ahead and ensure that our funds are used to get people into jobs where they actually can work and support their families.