Housing  Mr. Speaker, the people struggling with the pyrrhotite problem in the Mauricie region are victims of a human and economic tragedy. The Conservative government ignored them for 10 years. I am proud to say that during the election campaign, the Prime Minister and those of us on this side of the House made a promise to help pyrrhotite victims.

Business of Supply  Madam Chair, nine million Canadians will benefit from the middle-class tax cut. This is a significant measure that has been in place since January of this year. I can say that if we take that and the measures we have for families through the Canada child benefit, these are the types of measures that will help the middle class and Canadian families.

Business of Supply  Madam Chair, the most important thing is that this budget is actually working for middle-class Canadians. As a result of our tax cut, nine million Canadians are better off since January of this year. With the Canada child benefit, we would lift hundreds of thousands of children out of poverty, and nine families out of 10 would be better off, with an average $2,300 in additional income for the family.

Business of Supply  Madam Chair, my hon. colleague asks an excellent question. That measure could be one of a series of measures we will consider for future budgets.

Business of Supply  Madam Chair, like the minister said before, we are happy to take that question under advisement and get back to the member at a later stage with a more fulsome answer to that.

Business of Supply  Madam Chair, as the hon. member knows, it is a very important question. We will take this question under advisement and come back with further details at a later stage to the member.

Business of Supply  Mr. Chair, I would like thank my colleague for this very great question. Budget 2016 is a budget that works for all Canadians. It works for our seniors. It works for our students. It works for middle-class Canadians and for Canadian families. However, let me be more specific about students.

Business of Supply  Mr. Chair, I would like to ask the Minister of Finance to tell us more about the fairness of Canada's tax regime. The Minister of Finance and I crossed the country, from coast to coast to coast. I went from Moncton to Yellowknife. The minister travelled from Nova Scotia to Vancouver to listen to Canadians.

Business of Supply  Mr. Chair, thank you for the clarification. I am pleased to have this opportunity to address the committee members today on behalf of the Government of Canada. A strong economy is based on a strong middle class. Canadians understand that, as do we. That is why our highest priority is to build an economy that works for middle-class Canadians and their families.

Business of Supply  Mr. Chair, I will go to the podium, if you do not mind.

Business of Supply  Mr. Chair, I am pleased to say that our government is the one that is fighting tax evasion. We have made a record investment of $444 million to give the Canada Revenue Agency the teams and technologies needed to combat tax evasion. I can also say, as my colleague knows, that the Minister of National Revenue has indicated to the Standing Committee on Finance that she will be conducting a study to analyze the issue of the tax gap in Canada.

Business of Supply  Mr. Chair, as I said, when the Minister of National Revenue appeared before the Standing Committee on Finance, she indicated that Canada would begin that study. My colleague is well aware of the response given by the minister. The hon. member has to understand that we are going to take steps to start this study and we will come back to the House with precise figures on the tax gap in Canada.

Business of Supply  Mr. Chair, when the Minister of National Revenue appeared before the Standing Committee on Finance, she was clear. She struck a committee to review all of Canada's tax treaties. When the minister has concluded that work with her special committee, which was created in order to propose measures to deal with international tax evasion, I think she will be able to come back to the House with some recommendations.

Business of Supply  Mr. Chair, I would first like to thank the minister for his excellent speech on Canada's economic situation. Could the minister explain what the government is doing to lay the foundation for sustainable economic growth in Canada and how these measures will help middle-class Canadians prosper?

Income Tax Act  Mr. Speaker, as the hon. member knows, I have a lot of respect for him. He is always a very good speaker, and has presented one view, obviously his view, of the issue. I would just like to get back to people. We all represent people. Let us be honest, I do not know too many people in my riding who can save $10,000 in their TFSAs after having to spend money for their children, their mortgage, and their cars.