International Trade committee  With our own trade relations and economies bound together, my view on policy is that we should be lock-step with the Americans. Wherever they are, we are. That would certainly include Mexico. I was serving in Greece when the Mexicans negotiated a free trade agreement with the European Union. Literally the next day the Mexican ambassador, who is a close friend of mine, was promoting the links between Europe and Mexico.

International Trade committee  Quite honestly, if we don't grow up and realize that this is the game that's being played by France, by Germany, by the U.K., by Australia, by the United States, where a one-day visit to Greece, when the President came there—and Mr. Cannis will remember this—cost something like $5 million.... That's one day. It's overhead. But out of that, hopefully, you get the return on investment, and I'm 100% confident that you will.

Finance committee  In London we had an example of an athlete who earned the right to represent Canada at the next world games in Athens, Greece. That athlete is a remarkable example of what Special Olympics is able to provide. I'd like to ask Christina Judd Campbell, a Special Olympics athlete, to tell her story.

Finance committee  But how long can we put off looking at civil service pensions and benefits compared with those of the private sector before we become Greece? This is the challenge our members are facing. We ask that government take a much harder line in looking at public sector contracts, wages, benefits, and particularly pensions, in order to help get us out of the glue.

Finance committee  Professionals are concerned. We're watching what's happening in other countries, including Britain and Greece. For us, we need to proactively work with government and identify ways to help save money. Who better than the people who are inside? We've brought issues and concerns, and also solutions, to government.

Human Resources committee  Prisoners who do paid work while serving their prison sentence pay contributions that are taken into account for calculation of their state pension upon their release. Greece does pay state pensions to some convicted prisoners. The prisoners who do not qualify for state pensions are those convicted of financial-related crimes such as fraud, theft, robbery, and damage to public property.

Sustaining Canada's Economic Recovery Act  However, I think he neglected to point out that in terms of debt to GDP, which is a very important measure in terms of debt to GDP, Canada is in a much better position than the other countries he is talking about in Europe, such as Greece, Ireland and Spain, regardless of the fact that their household debt figures, which he mentioned, are somewhat comparable. I have a question for him. As far as e-government is concerned, the g-tech annual conference just finished up today here in Ottawa.

Sustaining Canada's Economic Recovery Act  I was shocked to learn that the average debt-load per household in Canada is about $42,000. We know Greece is having some difficulties and the average debt-load there is just over $30,000. Who is worse off, I ask? The Conservatives have mortgaged our future, our children's future and our grandchildren's future.

Sustaining Canada's Economic Recovery Act  Today according to the OECD, average Canadians have among the highest debt per capita, almost $41,000. When we compare that with some countries that are in grave difficulty, like Greece for example, we find their debt per household is just over $30,000. Let us figure that out. The member talked about tax savings accounts and all the government has done, and that is fine when the average Canadian has money to save.

Committees of the House  Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the sixth report of the Standing Committee on Finance concerning Bill S-3, An Act to implement conventions and protocols concluded between Canada and Colombia, Greece and Turkey for the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income. The committee has studied the bill and has decided to report the bill back to the House without amendment.

Finance committee  Yes, each of the three countries also has to ratify the agreement in accordance with its legislation. The latest reports indicate that Greece has completed the process and is ready to ratify the treaty. As for Colombia, I am told that the Senate approved the treaty at the end of September. It is now in the hands of that country's House of Representatives, which will debate the matter.

Finance committee  Fine. To date, we have never signed an agreement with Greece. This is the first time we are signing a tax agreement with them.

Finance committee  Among the bottom four, interest payments, royalty, and periodic pension payments are all the same, but when it comes to dividends the rate is different for each country. Colombia and Greece are at 5% and Turkey is at 15%. In all other cases the amount varies as well. I'm just wondering why that would be, and why it wouldn't be standard for all treaty countries.

Finance committee  We have an hour set aside for the study of Bill S-3, an act to implement conventions and protocols concluded between Canada and Colombia, Greece, and Turkey for the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income. We do have....

Finance committee  This is dealing with an act to implement conventions and protocols concluded between Canada and Colombia, Greece, and Turkey for the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income. We were just asking members, and I think it was agreed at the subcommittee, that we have about two meetings on this piece of legislation in the fall.