Ninety per cent producers.
House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2011, with 78% of the vote.
Canada Grain Act February 1st, 2008
Ninety per cent producers.
Points of Order February 1st, 2008
Mr. Speaker, I would be glad to share that press release. I believe it was some time in the last two years, but I will certainly make sure that I provide it to the House.
I was simply referring in my comments, no disrespect to the hon. member or her representation of her constituents by any means, to the fact that was quoted in the release, that the Liberals had 12 years to improve on the manufacturing job prospects in this country.
Manufacturing Industry February 1st, 2008
Mr. Speaker, I will be very guarded in my response about what Kitchener Centre deserves as representation.
However, let me remind this House the importance of jobs in this country. Every one of us in this House realizes the seriousness of lost jobs, but we are seriously pleased with the number of better jobs, higher paying jobs that the initiatives of this government have brought.
Let me also remind the hon. member that the business that comes out of Ontario that goes to feed the oil and gas industry in Alberta--
Manufacturing Industry February 1st, 2008
Mr. Speaker, I am glad the hon. member raises this question. It gives us one more opportunity to talk about what this government has done.
Let me remind the hon. member what the United Steelworkers said: “The crisis didn't just start when the Conservatives took office”. The Liberals had 12 years to deal with this stuff and they did nothing.
Let me also share what we have done in the immediate past. We have taken aggressive action, over $9 billion in support to the manufacturing industry.
World of War February 1st, 2008
Mr. Speaker, it is an honour to rise today to highlight a young and proud constituent of mine, Sarah Clark. She is just 13 years old, yet she has the maturity to recognize what is important and when it is time to honour those who keep us safe.
Sarah has composed and recorded a CD entitled, World of War, that honours our forces, both those who are serving us now and those who have died to ensure our freedom.
After a recent school visit to the Canadian War Museum, she composed a heart warming tribute to our soldiers. Her beautifully haunting voice reminds us of the perils of war and the sacrifices made by our brave men and women who volunteer to share the freedom that we too often take for granted.
Sarah reminds us on this red Friday that it is not just our right as Canadians to enjoy all the freedoms that we share, but indeed a human right that should be enjoyed by all corners of the world.
I thank Sarah. It is indeed a privilege to represent her voice in Parliament, a voice which embodies the many thoughts and feelings that so many Canadians, both young and old, hold so dear.
Colleagues, please drop by my office to hear her beautiful tribute.
Mr. Speaker, while we are all concerned with the future of the manufacturing and forestry sectors, it is important to pause and take note of the larger economic picture in Canada and indeed in Quebec.
We have solid economic fundamentals demonstrated through our robust labour market. The unemployment rate is at a 33 year low. In Quebec alone we have witnessed tremendous job growth at 2.4% in 2007, well above the national average, and it was the province's best showing in five years.
Even the CIBC world markets report released today states that manufacturing sector job losses are being offset with higher quality, well paid work in an assortment of sectors ranging from public administration to computer services, oil and gas extraction, and many more.
What is more, some observers suggest the long term trends are for even tighter labour markets, indeed potentially labour shortages in Canada, especially in Quebec. According to a December 2007 Conference Board of Canada report, Quebec faces a worker shortfall of nearly 400,000 by--
Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup for the opportunity to outline the extensive support that this government has delivered for the manufacturing and forestry sectors. This government acknowledges that these sectors are important components of our economy and we have advanced both broad based and targeted tangible measures to demonstrate our commitment to help these sectors succeed.
Indeed, since 2006 we have provided over $9 billion in support for the manufacturing and forestry sectors. Measures include support for workers and communities, such as the recently announced $1 billion for the community development trust. This important program will help provinces and territories assist one industry towns facing major downturns, communities plagued by chronic high unemployment, or regions hit by layoffs across a range of sectors, including manufacturing and forestry.
Reaction to this announcement has been very positive. British Columbia's Liberal forestry minister, Rich Coleman, has called the trust very good news. Manitoba's NDP premier, Gary Doer, also praised the trust, remarking he was “very pleased with the flexibility because it allows us to target in Manitoba some of the industries that are under pressure”.
We have also moved to create a more competitive tax system to help manufacturing and forestry businesses be successful and sustain that success.
Indeed, the tax reductions announced by this government, the majority of them broad based, will result in over $8 billion in tax relief for manufacturers and processors over the period of 2006-07 to 2012-13. This includes tax reductions totalling about $2.5 billion in this and the next five years. The October 2007 economic statement included reducing the general corporate tax rate to 15% by 2012. A budget 2007 measure allows manufacturing firms to write off their investment in machinery and equipment much more quickly. There are permanent faster writeoffs for computers and buildings used in manufacturing to better reflect the useful life of these assets. These are important measures that will go far in ensuring that our manufacturers can thrive in a competitive global marketplace.
For instance, referring to this government's action to lower corporate rates to 15%, Jayson Myers, who is president of Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters and chair of the Canadian Manufacturing Coalition, stated the following:
The reduction in the federal corporate tax rate is an extremely important step in sustaining Canada's ability to retain and attract business investment. It keeps us in the game as countries around the globe are lowering their tax rates to do the same. This reduction is important to the long-term competitiveness of the Canadian economy.
These are not band-aid solutions but measures in the best interests of the economy and job creation. We are leaving more money in the hands of manufacturers to invest in new technology to become more productive and competitive.
Manufacturing and Forestry Industries January 28th, 2008
Mr. Speaker, I might remind the hon. member that we are in the second longest period of economic expansion in our history and that is thanks to this finance minister and this government.
I might also suggest to the hon. member that he might pay a little more respect to the CIBC's numbers because those are the numbers that I was quoting. Perhaps he should talk to his former colleagues about the strength of this economy.
Manufacturing and Forestry Industries January 28th, 2008
Mr. Speaker, it is rather ironic that the hon. member stands in the House and raises that sort of a question. We are talking about jobs.
I would add to the hon. industry minister's comments. Canada's economy created more high paying jobs in 2007 boosting the quality of employment by the most since 1999. According to CIBC, the employment quality index jumped by 2.8%.
The government is reacting to the concerns of Canadians who are losing jobs. We are building on that strength.
Canada-United States Tax Convention Act, 1984 December 13th, 2007
Mr. Speaker, in the 1997 tax treaty protocol, Canada and the U.S. agreed to make cross-border social security benefits taxable only in the recipient's country of residence. My understanding is that has already been dealt with in a previous tax treaty.