Taxation  Mr. Speaker, I want to quote some interesting words that were stated in the House of Commons: “The monstrous increases in capital gains...[are] making the rich vastly richer and creating a kind of aristocratic feudal economy”. Do members know who said that? The member for Carleton did.

The Economy  Mr. Speaker, do members know what the average income in Ottawa-Carleton is? I do; it is $58,400. The average person in Ottawa-Carleton could only dream of earning $250,000 in a given year, but the Conservative leader thinks his average constituent should pay tax on their hard-earned salary at a higher rate than someone who is earning more than $250,000 in capital gains alone.

Taxation  Mr. Speaker, I would like to begin by thanking the Bloc Québécois for its vote on tax fairness yesterday. They understand the importance of social solidarity and fairness, just as Quebeckers do. They understand that a teacher should not pay tax at a higher rate than the ultrarich.

Taxation  Mr. Speaker, I want to once again point out that we have made an important decision. The House supported an important measure, a measure for fairness that will fund extremely important investments for Canada and Quebec. Through this measure, Quebec will receive $3 billion. I think that, in terms of health care, Quebec will be really pleased—

Taxation  Mr. Speaker, Quebeckers understand the importance of fairness. They understand that it is very important for a nurse not to pay tax at a higher rate than the ultrarich. They also understand that we need revenue to invest in health care and child care. Quebec needs these revenues too.

The Economy  Mr. Speaker, we all certainly learned something yesterday. After eight weeks of dithering and evasion, we learned which side the Conservatives are on. The Conservatives had a chance to be very clear and say that a teacher or a welder should not pay tax at a higher rate than a multimillionaire, but they just could not help themselves.

The Economy  Mr. Speaker, for one thing, the Conservative leader should get his facts straight. Of course, what we are talking about is a two-thirds inclusion rate, not a two-thirds tax rate, but he never bothers to actually get his numbers straight. The Conservative leader also does not bother to actually stand on the side of working people.

Taxation  Mr. Speaker, our government understands the importance of fairness. We understand that a teacher should not pay tax at a higher rate than a multi-millionaire. We also understand that our decision will give Quebec an additional $3 billion that it can use to invest in health care, for example.

Ways and Means  moved that a ways and means motion to introduce an act to amend the Income Tax Act and the income tax regulations be concurred in.

Taxation  Mr. Speaker, the only party trying to mislead Canadians is the Conservative Party, because it has been trying to pose as the party of the little guy. Today, the Conservatives had to make a choice. It was a hard choice for them. It took them eight weeks of struggle, but, at the end of the day, the Conservatives made the choice they always make.

Taxation  Mr. Speaker, today is an important day for Canadians. Today, every member must make a choice. Each and every one of us must decide whether we are in favour of fairness, whether we think that a nurse should pay less taxes than a multimillionaire. In our party, we know what we think.

Taxation  Mr. Speaker, we have already, today, at last, established that the Conservatives are against parents, that they are against a nurse or a welder paying taxes at a fair rate. They want a nurse or a welder to pay more tax than a multi-millionaire. What else are the Conservatives saying?

Housing  Mr. Speaker, let us remember that this member is from a party whose leader got seven affordable units built when he was in charge of housing. Let us remember that the Conservatives' housing plan would actually put more tax on home builders, and let us remember that this is the party that believes in cuts, cuts, cuts.

Taxation  Mr. Speaker, today is an important day for Canadians, because, today, after eight weeks of truly undignified dithering and deflecting, the Conservatives have finally shown their true colours. We now know what they really stand for. They had a chance to stand with the plumbers, welders, nurses and teachers, but they have decided that multi-millionaires should pay lower taxes than working Canadians.

Agriculture and Agri-Food  Mr. Speaker, as the daughter of a farmer, I understand our farmers' situation. I want to point out that we increased the lifetime exemption for farmers. I also want to point out that Quebec had a choice and that the Quebec finance minister decided to follow the federal government's lead on capital gains because Quebec needs revenue, for example for health care.