House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2015, with 64% of the vote.
Tax Harmonization March 31st, 2010
Mr. Speaker, we introduced a bill in the House to give all provinces the opportunity to harmonize their sales tax with the GST, and the NDP voted against this bill.
This party says that Quebec has the right to sign the same agreement as the other provinces.
Tax Harmonization March 31st, 2010
Mr. Speaker, I would like to clarify the position of the NDP. It has said that it is against GST harmonization. Today, it is asking for GST harmonization.
What is the NDP's position?
Aboriginal Affairs March 31st, 2010
Mr. Speaker, the member is correct, today is a historic day. It was 50 years ago that Prime Minister Diefenbaker extended the right to vote to all first nations people in this country, a measure that was long overdue. There is nothing more fundamental than our right to choose those who govern us and, obviously, all advances for aboriginal people since then have been based on that step forward.
In the recent Speech from the Throne, we committed to carrying this work forward, with additional work to promote the rights of aboriginal people, to promote infrastructure for aboriginal people, education, child and family services. We want to ensure that our aboriginal people are full partners and have the full opportunities of Canadian society.
Employment Insurance March 31st, 2010
Mr. Speaker, we cannot change the past. We can only work toward a better future. That is what we are doing. The former government took $60 billion from the employment insurance fund for other priorities and that money has been spent. We struck an independent commission to determine employment insurance premiums based on associated employee and employer costs. That is our commitment.
Employment Insurance March 31st, 2010
Mr. Speaker, if I could make $60 billion appear out of thin air, I would do it, but I am not able.
The fact is that money has been spent. It is gone. The fact is we do not want that to happen in the future. That is why we have brought in a system where rates are set independently and set to cover the genuine costs of the program.
Employment Insurance March 31st, 2010
Mr. Speaker, we are delighted to join in solidarity with the leader of the NDP on the issue of prostate cancer. We are delighted to see him looking so good and so healthy in the House of Commons, and looking ever better in that blue tie.
In terms of the EI premiums, EI premiums are set by an independent commission every year in order to cover the costs of the program. It is true that the previous government took $60 billion out of the EI account, which it spent on other programs and other priorities. The fact is that money is gone.
Taxation March 31st, 2010
Mr. Speaker, what the member is saying is not true. If Quebec wants the same agreement that Ontario got, it can be signed today. And the federal government will offer the same conditions. Up until now, Quebec has not wanted to do that. We are ready to negotiate and to find a solution.
Tax Harmonization March 31st, 2010
Mr. Speaker, on the contrary, the government is willing to sign agreements with all the provinces. When we offer conditions to some provinces, we are obliged to offer the same conditions to other provinces.
The conditions are clear: we will not pay for two separate taxes. We want real harmonization, which means a single tax for consumers and industries in Quebec. I hope we will achieve that goal.
Tax Harmonization March 31st, 2010
Mr. Speaker, the Government of Canada has signed agreements with several other provinces to harmonize their tax with the GST. Under these agreements, we are obliged to offer the same conditions to Quebec. We hope that Quebec will really harmonize its tax instead of having two separate taxes. We will continue negotiating with Quebec to that end.
Afghanistan March 31st, 2010
Mr. Speaker, on the contrary, the Government of Canada's position is very clear. The military mission will end in 2011.
It is also clear that other countries want something else. However, it is the Government of Canada and the Canadian people who make the decisions for our country.