Small Business  Mr. Speaker, small business owners want and need a robust economy to succeed. We are making investments to support that growth. Small business owners need strong consumers. There is the middle-class income tax cut, the Canada child benefit, investments in infrastructure, incubators, and accelerators, and the list goes on.

Taxation  Mr. Speaker, once again, we have lowered taxes on small businesses; we have lowered taxes on middle-class Canadians. We are working with Canadians to ensure that we have a strong economy and that we create jobs. Budget 2016, which I encourage the member to read in its entirety, makes many investments, including $11.9 billion in infrastructure spending, which will help small businesses, and $500 million for broadband in rural and remote areas.

Taxation  Mr. Speaker, what I have said in the House before is that saying it does not make it true. Let us look at the facts. We are working with small-business Canadians. We are working with the Small Business Matters Coalition. We are working with stakeholders. There are 3.2 million Canadians whom we are representing on this side of the House.

Small Business  If they would like to listen, I can give them some details that they are welcome to read as well. Five hundred—

Small Business  Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for his question. We have a plan that will work very well for Canadians and small businesses. We have a budget and we encourage members opposite to read the budget. They can make hand gestures all they want, but we know that we have a plan. Canadians know that we have a plan, and that is what they elected us to do.

Small Business  Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague for her question and for the work she does with small businesses. E-commerce is increasing at an amazing rate. It represents a huge opportunity for Canadian entrepreneurs. One of my constituents in Waterloo runs her own business making custom jewellery.

Taxation  Mr. Speaker, on the celebration of Vaisakhi on the Hill, let me take this opportunity to wish everyone a happy Vaisakhi. I want Canadians to know that small business is implicit throughout the entire budget. When it comes to small business owners, they are middle-class Canadians.

Small Business  It is the opposite, Mr. Speaker. This government supports small and medium-sized businesses. We are committed to helping them grow. We are committed to helping them innovate, to become more productive and to become expert oriented. We have launched the Canexport program, which has received a wonderful response.

Small Business  Mr. Speaker, this government ran on a platform. We committed to work with small and medium-sized businesses, and we committed to reduce the administrative burden as well as the tax burden on small and medium-sized businesses, and that is exactly what we will do. I know the members opposite are excited to see the budget that we will be introducing on March 22.

Small Business  Mr. Speaker, I again thank the member for the question. I appreciate the opportunity to rise in this House to remind Canadians that we made a commitment to lower the tax burden on small and medium-sized businesses, and that is exactly what we will do. We know that members opposite are very good at picking apart words and misinforming Canadians.

Small Business  Mr. Speaker, I agree with the hon. member that entrepreneurs are key to Canada's prosperity. This week I presented eBay Canada's entrepreneurial awards, and for the first time all three recipients were women. This government is committed to increasing opportunities for women entrepreneurs, young people, and under-represented groups.

Tourism Industry  Mr. Speaker, it is a great time to visit Canada. We are meeting with Canadians from coast to coast to coast. We have been present. On the weekend I was at the Boston Globe Travel Show with provinces so that we could promote the tourism industry. We will be supporting the connecting America program so that Americans know to visit Canada.

Small Business  Mr. Speaker, I look forward to working with all hon. members in the House and Canadians across the nation to ensure small businesses are represented. Small businesses are drivers of the economy. They employ 90% of the private sector workforce and account for about 40% of the GDP.

Small Business  Mr. Speaker, it is both an honour and a privilege to stand in the House. I would like to thank the good people of the riding of Waterloo for having me here to represent them. As Minister of Small Business and Tourism, I am committed to representing small businesses across this nation.