Jobs and Growth Act, 2012  However, that is exactly what the member for Outremont is proposing with his $21.5 billion carbon tax. That is exactly what all of the NDP members who spoke on the bill are proposing with their--

Jobs and Growth Act, 2012  Mr. Speaker, the main difference is that the NDP wants a carbon tax, what it is calling a cap and trade system, and the Conservatives do not.

The Budget  The member opposite talks about the National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy. It has tabled more than 10 reports encouraging a carbon tax. Now we know why the Liberal Party holds that organization so dear, because the Liberals truly want to bring in a carbon tax on every family in this country. Well, those of us on this side of the House will not let them do it.

The Budget  These are the priorities that Canadians have identified. Why should taxpayers have to pay for more than 10 reports promoting a carbon tax, something which the people of Canada have repeatedly rejected? That is a message the Liberal Party just will not accept. It should agree with Canadians. It should agree with the government to no discussion of a carbon tax that would kill and hurt Canadian families.

Jobs and Growth Act, 2012  Speaker, it is unfortunate that the hon. member is wasting his time making things up. What he should explain is his plan to impose a $21.5 billion carbon tax. It is right there, on page 4 of their program, the program they fought on. That is why they are stuck there in the opposition. The program we fought on actually resulted in the budget that was approved in the House last June.

Jobs and Growth Act, 2012  Speaker, I was glad to hear from the member for Ottawa—Orléans, in both his speech and the response he just gave in respect to the $21.5 billion carbon tax that the NDP would like to implement. I found his speech rather interesting, in the way he intertwined the importance of the national perspective that this economic plan, this strategy, will have on the rest of the country.

Jobs and Growth Act, 2012  While the government focuses on a plan to promote job creation through competitive taxes, the opposition is dreaming up schemes for higher taxation, as I mentioned in this House nine days ago. For instance, there is a carbon tax on everything, and taking $21 billion out of the pockets of hard-working Canadian taxpayers. Speaking of lower taxes from this side, this government has offered tax relief in 140 instances since 2006, and has reduced rates for people in the lowest tax brackets in particular.

Regional Development  Speaker, I thank the hon. member from northern Ontario for talking about just one of a number of passions that we have in northern Ontario. I know one thing we do not have a passion for, and that is to have a $21.5 billion carbon tax that will increase our cost of living, stifle small business and put major projects, whether it is snowmobile trails or the Ring of Fire, simply out of reach.

Taxation  Speaker, while our government is focused on a low tax plan to create jobs, the NDP is pushing a high tax scheme to kill jobs like the NDP's massive carbon tax that will take over $21 billion out of the pockets of regular Canadians and kill jobs. Our Conservative government will not let that happen. We will fight the NDP's big tax plans and stay focused on our pro-economic growth action plan 2012.

Foreign Investment  Now, for the purposes of foreign investment, the NDP thinks it is the most important industry the world has ever seen. If the NDP members believe the latter, why are they proposing a $21.5 billion carbon tax that would not only raise gas prices for Canadian consumer, but would also devastate the resource sectors that have driven economic success in so many provinces across this country?

The Environment  It is the NDP members who have been standing in the House trying to suggest that our drawing attention to their proposed carbon tax is not accurate. Yet here it is in black and white in their own platform at the costing on page 4: $21.5 billion authorized by the registered agent.

Jobs and Growth Act, 2012  As Canada's energy needs continue to grow, we must play our role in encouraging new green energy technology because it is a win-win proposition. Unlike the NDP, we would not impose a job-killing carbon tax that would tax everything we consume, everything we need and everything we do. Instead, we will continue to lower the tax burden for all Canadians. The bill would also make important changes to registered disability savings plans.

Job and Growth Act, 2012  I want to read a bit of this report and get the member's reaction: Taxes are the hinge that links citizens to one another and to the common good....We should also consider eliminating... the ‘boutique’ tax credits of recent budgets...consider implementing taxes on very large inheritances of wealth which pass morally-unjustifiable class privilege...Significant [tax] revenues could be raised by the introduction of a financial transactions tax, and by cracking down on tax evasion through offshore tax havens. Green taxes — such as a carbon tax—

Job and Growth Act, 2012  Mr. Speaker, the $21 billion carbon tax the NDP is advocating will increase the price of groceries, consumer goods, housing, fuel and, yes, it will increase the cost of candy that we buy for our children on Halloween. That, my friends, is unacceptable and the NDP members should be ashamed of themselves for declaring war on the children of this country.

Business of the House  Believe it or not, the NDP finance critic actually dismissed the hiring credit as yet again another across-the-board cut for small businesses. We want to see taxes lowered. We do not want to see higher taxes or an NDP carbon tax. That is why we have a budget bill that keeps those taxes low. I am pleased to say that we will be voting on C-45 on Tuesday night at second reading, which will give us the opportunity to send it to the finance committee for consideration.