Small Business  Mr. Speaker, after all three parties agreed during the campaign, small business owners were counting on legislated tax cuts to help grow their businesses and create jobs in our communities. The Liberals broke their word, and their omnibus bill gets rid of this important help for small businesses.

Business of Supply  Madam Chair, I am going to let the remaining time go to my colleague, the member for Churchill—Keewatinook Aski.

Business of Supply  Madam Chair, it is our understanding that just over half of small businesses have a succession plan while 76% plan their retirement in the next 10 years. Does the minister believe it is fair that it is more costly to transfer a business to a child or family member than to a stranger?

Business of Supply  Madam Chair, could the minister let us know what the current level of household debt is in Canada?

Business of Supply  Madam Chair, the PBO report says it is 171%. This is the highest level recorded since 1990. Could the minister explain why someone earning the average income of $40,000 or the median income of $31,000 in Canada would not qualify for the so-called middle-class tax cut?

Business of Supply  Madam Chair, I would first like to ask for unanimous consent to split my time with the member for Churchill—Keewatinook Aski.

Business of Supply  Madam Chair, I would like to thank my colleagues for their agreement. I would like to indicate to the chair that I will be using eight minutes to ask questions of the minister and the remainder will be with my colleague. The main estimates show a cut of $10 million in funding for economic and fiscal policy framework.

Business of Supply  Madam Chair, did the department conduct analysis of the cost to employees, both in terms of lost jobs and reduced hours and wage increases?

Business of Supply  Madam Chair, the PBO said that more than 1,200 jobs would be lost on top of reduced hours and pay. Budget 2016 said that future cuts would be deferred. Until what date would that be?

Business of Supply  Madam Chair, does the minister know what the annual cost to Canadian enterprises for credit card merchant fees is?

Business of Supply  Madam Chair, the Retail Council of Canada has estimated over $5 billion a year. I ask, does the minister believe that it is fair that small businesses have to pay credit card processing fees as high as 4%?

Business of Supply  Madam Chair, does the department have any intention to introduce mandatory regulations to cap merchant fees. If so, when?

Business of Supply  Madam Chair, does the minister know how many Canadian small business owners planning to retire have succession plans in place?

Seniors  Mr. Speaker, by 2050, one-third of Canada's population will be over the age of 60. We know that services will need to be vastly expanded and enhanced to address the growing demand of aging Canadians. We need to expand long-term care and radically improve home care. We need to support caregivers and ensure that seniors have access to affordable housing so they can retire with dignity and respect.

Budget Implementation Act, 2016, No. 1  Mr. Speaker, I agree that we cannot have a healthy economy without healthy business. We need to put forward initiatives that will create jobs and help drive the economy. I talked earlier about the multiplier effect of spending money locally and keeping money in the hands of small business.