House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2015, with 64% of the vote.
The Economy December 1st, 2008
On the contrary, Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Finance announced last week in the economic and fiscal statement that we are increasing support for our pensioners, that we will increase assistance to the credit sector, the manufacturing and automotive sectors, that we will strengthen Canada's financial sector even further with a number of measures, and that we will double our spending on infrastructure next year. That is quite a lot in two weeks.
The Economy December 1st, 2008
Mr. Speaker, let me say quite simply in terms of what we all know the hon. Leader of the Opposition is up to. I understand he wants to be prime minister. It is a great honour and a great experience, but I can tell you, Mr. Speaker, that I would certainly not want to find myself governing this economy today in a situation that required me to follow socialist economics and to be at the behest of a veto of the separatists.
The Economy December 1st, 2008
Mr. Speaker, this government has been governing in a minority situation for almost three years, even though it may not have been perfect. We received a vote of confidence from this House on the Speech from the Throne. My personal opinion is that they should at least wait for the budget to determine the future of a government recently elected by the citizens of Canada.
The Economy December 1st, 2008
Mr. Speaker, in the fiscal and economic update last week the Minister of Finance announced among other things that he would be providing EDC and BDC with additional money to extend to the manufacturing and auto sectors, and that there would be special help for retirees who are dealing with losses in the stock market. He announced that there would be numerous measures to strengthen our financial system, and he also announced that we would be doubling infrastructure spending over the next year to a record high.
When the hon. gentleman speaks about playing politics, I think he is about to play the biggest political game in Canadian history.
The Economy November 27th, 2008
Mr. Speaker, I am sure when the Minister of Finance gets up, today he will do what he has always done, and that is he will speak strongly for a Canadian economy that has performed well compared to our competitors under difficult economic circumstances. He will take measures to strengthen our response to this global crisis. He will lay out a road map for further action. He will ensure that we protect our structural deficit. When it comes to government spending, he will ensure that parliamentarians, beginning with Conservatives, lead by example.
The Economy November 27th, 2008
On the contrary, Mr. Speaker, the government has been acting for a year now. That is why the Canadian economy has created more jobs than the other major industrialized countries have and why we are one of the few with a budget surplus.
We are acting, and that is why the people of Canada gave us a stronger mandate. We will continue to act prudently, but we will act.
The Economy November 27th, 2008
Mr. Speaker, this government acted early and strongly to deal with the economic crisis, including measures that we undertook as far back as a year ago, some of which are still coming into effect. The Minister of Finance has been very aggressive throughout this crisis. That is why Canada's job creation and fiscal position remains the strongest in the G-7.
Protecting the entitlements of political parties is not going to do anything for the Canadian people.
The Economy November 27th, 2008
Mr. Speaker, the government did many things last year. A year ago, for example, we cut the GST. The British government finally decided just this week to do the same in view of the economic crisis.
We are going to act today and will take more action in the weeks to come, especially in cooperation with the provinces. I am planning on meeting the premiers in January to discuss joint measures.
Political Party Funding November 27th, 2008
Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Finance will deliver his economic and fiscal statement a little later today and I ask the leader of the Bloc to wait for that statement. However, I can assure this House that we will take measures, just as we took measures last year, to address this crisis based on how it develops.
Canada is in the strongest position of any G-7 country and we intend to maintain that position.
The Economy November 27th, 2008
Mr. Speaker, due to the strong and early actions of the government, this country has the strongest fiscal and economic position in the G-7. It is recognized by every country in the world at the international events that I have been at.
This country is virtually alone at this moment in continuing to run a surplus. We will not go into structural deficit. We will continue to have the best fiscal position in the industrialized world, and that is a strength all Canadians want.