The Income Tax Act  Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for the question and for his eloquent and passionate speech. What would we do with $250 million? We could do a lot of things. The first thing I would do is make sure our war widows actually receive the support they need to live in their own homes with the dignity and integrity they so deserve.

The Income Tax Act  Mr. Speaker, I would like to address the comments about this not being the forum. I would suggest to the hon. member that he take that up with his colleagues who have been in the House of Commons today speaking against the bill, including the chair of the environment committee, as well as other distinguished politicians who have had many years of service in the country.

The Income Tax Act  Mr. Speaker, I am glad to participate in today's debate on Bill C-48. I think it is important that we talk about the decisions made in the House which affect the actual economy of the country, not only in the short term but in the long term. That is what the bill is about. It is a very serious issue: a decision on how to spend our resources.

Income Tax Act  Madam Speaker, this is not about not supporting those workers and industries. We can look at the closure of the Petro-Canada refining station in Oakville as one specific example. It has chosen not to upgrade the plant. Instead it has chosen to produce dirty gas until 2005, then import gas from Europe and brand it with its own company flag.

Income Tax Act  Madam Speaker, we all know in the House, as well as in other provincial and municipal governments, decisions have to be made about what we want to focus on, how we want to progress, what we want to spend our resources and then set the conditions for the future. I know the member for Etobicoke North is from Ontario like myself.

Income Tax Act  Madam Speaker, I have a few questions to which I would like answers. Last night we had votes in the House of Commons, as we often do on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. There was a vote last night on a bill proposing a small tax deduction for volunteer emergency workers. The bill proposed that they would be able to get a small tax deduction for volunteering their time and expertise in a number of different emergency situations, which costs them personally but provides so much value to communities because they get that confidence, they save money and they provide security for people in their homes, at their businesses and on their streets.

Income Tax Act  Mr. Speaker, when we look at the situation in Oakville, this government will actually receive approximately $1.5 billion per year from this measure and, at the same time, it will put those workers out. Does the hon. member believe that money should go to those workers to ensure they have a future and can provide for their families?

Income Tax Act  Mr. Speaker, when we are discussing economic issues, it is frustrating to hear the example of China being brought forward. Many people have indicated that in order for Canada to compete with China, we should bring our quality of life down to its level, that we should have its pollution, its environment, and its wage level.

Income Tax Act  Mr. Speaker, I want to go back once again to the situation in Oakville. I just received some more information. We know that the Petro-Canada plant there is closing. It is going to produce dirty gas. Instead of actually improving the facility and keeping the jobs, it is going to import gasoline from Europe and re-brand it even though it is another company's gasoline.

Income Tax Act  Mr. Speaker, one of the things that we have learned recently in the oil and gas industry is that the refinery in Oakville is to be closed by Petro-Canada. It will be closing up shop and producing dirty gas until 2005, then importing gas from Europe and distributing it across its grid in Ontario, even though it could be an Esso product or something else.

Infrastructure  Mr. Speaker, after nine years of creating potholes on the road to Damascus, the new Liberal leader says he now wants to pave it. As finance minister, he hiked the gas tax but did not give a penny to cities. Last September he opposed 10 year targets, but now he says he does not. My leader, Jack Layton, has been clear on the stance of supporting cities.

Infrastructure  They may be a fans of the Who. I am a fan of the Guess Who. My question is for the sitting finance minister. Is the position of the Liberal government that sharing the gas tax means Canada does not need a permanent infrastructure program? Is that the real agenda?

Owen Burey  Mr. Speaker, on October 2, 2003 a kind and gentle man, Reverend Owen Burey, passed away at the age of 67. Reverend Burey was originally from Jamaica but made his mark in Canada in many ways. As the Pastor of Sandwich First Baptist Church, Reverend Burey taught and enlightened our community to understand the historical significance the church played in the underground railroad, as many of the bricks of the church were made by slaves escaping through the underground railroad as payment for a meal and safe haven that had been provided by a member of the congregation.

The Environment  Madam Speaker, it is a pleasure to rise today and thank all parties, my colleagues from the New Democratic Party, the Bloc Quebecois and the Progressive Conservative Party who have spoken in favour of this motion. I want to touch on a couple of points that I think are important.

The Environment  Yes, Madam Speaker.