Finance committee  A loss of $25,000 or $50,000 might be more devastating than a numerically larger sum. If, like so many middle-class Canadians, one had retirement savings that provided an income barely adequate to meet expenses, then a few thousand less in capital would make a tremendous difference in monthly cashflow.

Finance committee  The summary of the five-year fiscal projection in the middle of page 38 lists the planned debt reduction, the reduction of the GST, and the interest savings dedicated to personal income tax reductions; you'll see the numbers $800 million, $1 billion, $1.1 billion, $1.3 billion, and $1.4 billion in tax reductions over that time. I know that's trivial to you, but it's not to most middle-class Canadians.

Federal Accountability Act  We are finishing the Chrétien work and making it even more modest to ensure that it is middle class Canadians, and not the interests of a few high powered financial contributors, who have a bigger voice in politics. This was a welcome change of which I think all members took great note.

Status of Women committee  In my view, it is forceable confinement and forcing people to have sex for money, whether they come from another country or from our country. We had a model here the other day who was talking about how middle class Canadian women have been trafficked, and they do it through modelling agencies. There are many agencies, many ways to do it. The fact of the matter is that it keeps coming back to more police resources and more training.

Budget Implementation Act, 2006, No. 2  Tuition has almost tripled since 1992. It is becoming increasingly out of reach for even middle class Canadian families, much less ordinary hard-working Canadians. The student debt crisis averages over $21,000 per student. In some cases it reaches $50,000. Imagine trying to enter the workforce carrying that burden.

Finance committee  We do not know whether a similar program is available for skilled workers in other disciplines, but if it isn't, it could be. Again, changing personal taxation for middle-class Canadians to be more competitive with the United States will also encourage younger Canadians to put their skills to work in the country that helped them develop those skills, to the benefit of us all.

Federal Accountability Act  The act would ban that practice and limits political financing to $1,000, which would have the effect of forcing political parties to inspire everyday, middle class Canadians in order to win their donation as opposed to catering to the interests of the moneyed, powerful elite. Second, it would bring in ironclad protection for whistleblowers. Those whistleblowers who see wrongdoing in the government would have the legal authority to disclose it to an independent watchdog, who would carry out a fulsome investigation.

Budget Implementation Act, 2006  Canadians said that they work hard and that they do what they can to maximize their household incomes but that the tax bites taken out of their incomes and put into the government coffers were too much. We listened to Canadians and we did not believe middle class Canadians and their families, who work hard but receive less and less in return, were being treated fairly in our tax system. We also knew, from the election and from Canadians across the country, that they wanted a change in the level of taxes they were paying.

Finance committee  Chair, what Canadians were up against: government was taking too big a bite out of their paycheques. Middle-class Canadians and their families told me that they were working harder and harder, but getting less and less in return. I kept telling them to wait until the budget day. Now that day is over and we have kept our promise to Canadians.

The Budget  I support the budget because it will improve the lives of the people who sent me here, middle class Canadians. It cuts their taxes. It assists their families. It eases household finances. It gives them new hope for the future. I hope that all members support the budget, or at least have something constructive to say about it.

The Budget  There will be a reduction in the GST from 7% to 6% putting thousands of dollars in the pockets of new home buyers; a payment of $1,200 to every family with small children; help for students, farmers and apprentices, and our brave servicemen and women; real tax relief that touches the lives of every Canadian, more than the Liberals ever promised and certainly more than they ever delivered; a big tax break for seniors; tax relief for small business; and a better deal for investors. In total, honest, substantive, effective and enduring tax relief for middle class Canadian families who for more than a decade have suffered the neglect and uncaring arrogance of the last government. Tomorrow night millions of Canadian taxpayers will go to bed saying “thank God for the Conservatives and the Minister of Finance”.

Supply  For the lowest income, 20% of Canadians, their incomes have collapsed by 10%. Working class and middle class Canadians have lost the equivalent of three weeks salary a year on the Liberal watch. Liberals can stand up in the House and say that everything is fine but, except for corporate lawyers and CEOs, the reality is that Canadians are having a tougher time of it than they were 15 years ago.

Energy Costs Assistance Measures Act  We are not taking it from those whose very profits have come from those poor Canadians as well as other middle class Canadians. That is the point. The oil industry has made a substantial profit. One senior executive told me that in his entire lifetime in the industry there has never been a year like it.

Energy Costs Assistance Measures Act  He also said that this is basically taking tax revenue from ordinary Canadians and then passing it back to them. Because of that, I guess, he concluded that middle class Canadians should not be getting this money. He said we should concentrate on low income Canadians. I have a question. I am wondering why he does not think that those hit hardest by energy prices should get some relief as well.

Unanticipated Surpluses Act  Economists have argued, and they are absolutely right, that instead of providing this one-third formula the government should just lower taxes for middle class Canadians. I know the government always pleads poverty but we have seen spending go up 52% since 1999. Money has gone to public service, Liberal friends and to David Dingwall. We have seen it go to the NDP.