Stephen Harper

[Employment Insurance, April 28th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, as the House knows, the jobs crisis is, of course, a worldwide crisis. This government has taken a number of important measures. We have extended the EI benefits for all recipients. We have hired new people, close to 900 people, to process EI much more quickly. We have seen a 40% increase in the processing of claims. We have 82% of those paying EI receiving benefits. We have also increased the training both for EI and non-EI recipients. We will continue to do whatever is necessary to help the unemployed and prepare them for the jobs of the future.

[Credit Cards, April 23rd, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Finance has already expressed his concerns about this situation.

Obviously, we encourage transparency in credit markets, even for ordinary consumers. The Minister of Finance has already said that we are looking at various options to encourage this transparency.

[Foreign Affairs, April 23rd, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, as I just said, that is a longstanding federal government policy. We will examine the court's decision and consider an appeal.

[The Economy, April 23rd, 2009]

First, Mr. Speaker, to be clear, this government has cut personal income taxes in every single budget it has brought forward.

In spite of the opposition of the Liberal Party, this government has cut taxes for our retirees, including income splitting for our pensioners, and in spite of the fact that the Liberal Party opposed it. This government was running surpluses when times were good so we can afford to intervene in times like these.

Let me tell the House this. No matter how many distortions of fact the Liberal Party tries, no one is going to buy its plan to raise taxes.

[The Economy, April 23rd, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, with interest rates near zero, several central banks have been looking at new options. The Bank of Canada is pursuing the course set by other central banks.

Clearly, we are in the midst of a global recession. However, the International Monetary Fund is saying that Canada's performance will be better than many other countries. There is no need to raise taxes, as the Liberal Party is proposing.

[Foreign Affairs, April 23rd, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, for years this government has been continuing exactly the same policy that the previous government had. The facts in our judgment have not changed. We will be looking at the decision very carefully and obviously considering an appeal.

[The Environment, April 22nd, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, if the leader of the New Democratic Party had decided to read our economic plan before voting against it, he would have found that there were important measures in there to help the unemployed, which the unemployed wanted. There is an important program to vastly expand the retrofit programs in the country. There are programs to address every thing the leader of the NDP has raised.

It is time he read these things. It is time he gets on board with them and help the people of Canada.

[The Economy, April 22nd, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, as I just said, this government has brought in the largest stimulus package in Canadian history. We are pushing those programs out the door right now, including important assistance for the unemployed and for workers.

I think the parties opposite, before they demand additional stimulus, should at least get on board and vote for the things that are being done for the workers of our country.

[The Economy, April 22nd, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, this government is taking action with the biggest stimulus plan in the history of Canada. This plan includes significant measures for the unemployed, including those who need training for new jobs. That is important and I encourage the New Democratic Party to join us in helping them by not voting against benefits for the unemployed.

[The Economy, April 22nd, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, on the contrary, this government has provided a great deal of money to help the forestry sector across the country. For example, we have helped finance more than 500 companies in this sector through Export Development Canada. And we did so without jeopardizing the free trade agreement with the United States.