Stephen Harper

[The Economy, May 25th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, let us be clear. The academic community, the G13 presidents with whom I met last week, praised this government for the steps it took on post-secondary education.

There is a fundamental difference here. The opposition wants us to raise business taxes. We want to lower them. It wants us to raise the GST. We will not do that. It wants us to impose a carbon tax to pay for Kyoto. We will not do that. It wants us to raise EI premiums to pay for a 45-day work year under EI. Those are not the positions of this government. We are for lower taxes and a strong—

[The Economy, May 25th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, first, I congratulate the Leader of the Opposition for finally, after several months, asking a question about the economy, which is actually something Canadians care about.

Our debt levels in Canada are obviously significantly lower than the vast majority of other developed countries because of the wise management of the Minister of Finance. We are also ensuring that we come out of this recession well positioned, including having some of the lowest tax rates in the developed world. That is why we are for lowering taxes. The other side, I know, is for raising them. That is the wrong way to go.

[The Economy, May 25th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to see that the Leader of the Opposition is finally focusing on the real issue, the economy. As I have stated a number of times, the world economy remains fragile and that is why it is our focus. Our debt levels are much lower than those of other countries and our taxes are going down. That is essential in order to be competitive.

[The Environment, May 12th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, the G20 is the world's primary principal economic forum. That is its mission. The main issue of discussion at the G20 will be the global economy. I anticipate that a range of subject matters will be talked about, including climate change.

The government's position is clear. We support the Copenhagen accord which, for the first time, includes all major emitters. We support the financing provisions under that accord. Where does the Liberal Party stand?

[The Environment, May 12th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, I hear that it is the Liberal leader's birthday. He apologized.

I just answered that question. There have been discussions among the members of the G20 and G8, and I expect that there will be discussions on all major issues, including climate change. Canada's position is clear. We support the Copenhagen accord.

[The Environment, May 12th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, I already answered that question when the Liberal leader was not here.

[Nuclear Non-Proliferation, May 12th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, I am not sure what advisory panel the leader of the NDP is talking about. I can certainly say there have been consultations with all of the members of the G20 and the G8. I anticipate that all important subjects, including climate change, will be covered at the summit.

The position of the Government of Canada is very well known. We are strongly supportive of the Copenhagen accord, which for the first time in history involves commitments from all major emitters. I hope the NDP and the opposition parties will finally get on board with this international climate change accord.

[Nuclear Non-Proliferation, May 12th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, Canada is committed. Our Canadian Forces are participating in six United Nations international missions, including our contribution to the mission in Afghanistan.

I hope the NDP will also one day support this United Nations mission in Afghanistan.

[Nuclear Non-Proliferation, May 12th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, I think the government has been clear in the past. This is a long-term result that all of us would like to see. There is a lot of work to be done to get there. We are concerned today with nuclear weapons that are proliferating in the hands of both some dangerous states potentially and non-state actors. Those are the challenges with which the government is seized.

[Foreign Affairs, May 12th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, on the contrary, Canada is a strong supporter of the Copenhagen accord, which is the first agreement to include all the major emitters. I hope the Bloc Québécois and the other opposition parties will also support this very important international agreement.