Budget Implementation Act, 2016, No. 2  It would simply add to the regulatory burden. The government is fond of saying how it has cut the taxes of middle-class Canadians. It is just not true. The average income of people in my riding is under $40,000 a year. Guess how much they receive from the income tax cuts from the Liberal Party? Zero. They receive nothing.

Budget Implementation Act, 2016, No. 2  Only the Liberals would consider that all of these things they have done are good for middle-class Canadians. When it comes to paying back the massive Liberal borrowing, every single Canadian's taxes are going to increase for many years, and Canadians know that.

Budget Implementation Act, 2016, No. 2  We are also working with the provinces and territories to strengthen the plan. Earlier in October, we introduced a bill to amend the plan in order to help middle-class Canadians achieve their goal of living a dignified life in retirement with guaranteed income security. We are making a considerable investment in the well-being of seniors. Canadians who work hard contribute to our society throughout their lives and our government believes that every Canadian deserves to grow old with respect and dignity.

Canada Revenue Agency  Mr. Speaker, middle-class Canadians who pay their fair share have every right to be upset when wealthy taxpayers use sophisticated schemes to avoid their tax obligations. The Government of Canada invested an unprecedented $444 million to counter what is happening offshore.

Taxation  We lowered taxes for nine million Canadians. This is something we are doing to help middle-class Canadians do well.

Budget Implementation Act, 2016, No. 2  What is important is that we continue investing in small businesses. As my hon. colleague knows, the more money we have in the pockets of middle-class Canadians, the more they will spend in their local economies and the more that will feed small business. We know, as well as the hon. member, that small businesses are the backbone of our community and our country.

Budget Implementation Act, 2016, No. 2  This bill provides measures that will help families, provide seniors with greater flexibility, protect consumers, and improve the fairness and integrity of the tax system. When working-class and middle-class Canadians have more money to save, invest, and grow the economy, everyone benefits. That is why, in budget 2016, the government decided to invest in the Canadian economy to set the stage for long-term growth.

Budget Implementation Act, 2016, No. 2  We understand, as well, that a strong economy starts with a strong middle class. When middle-class Canadians have more money to save, invest, and grow the economy, everyone benefits. A strengthened middle class means that hard-working Canadians can look forward to a good standard of living and better prospects for their children.

Canada Revenue Agency  Madam Speaker, middle-class Canadians have a right to be upset about the fact that some companies are not paying their fair share of taxes and wealthy taxpayers are evading their obligations. We have invested a historic amount of $444 million precisely to continue putting all the necessary measures in place to ensure that people pay their fair share of taxes and that Canadians are happy with their government.

Finance committee  As I close, I would remind this committee that unfairly traded goods pose a clear and present threat to the livelihood of the over 22,000 middle-class Canadians employed directly in steel production and the additional 100,000 Canadians whose employment is indirectly supported by our sector. Steel production in Canada involves significant advance manufacturing processes, and Canada's steelworkers are well educated, highly skilled, and trained throughout their careers.

Finance committee  However, the current environment is challenging for us, with low interest rates, federal tax changes, increased regulatory burden, and new mortgage lending rules, which are all making it more difficult to serve our markets, mostly middle-class Canadians. My remarks today will focus on two key priorities: allowing for a regulatory pause to assess the full impact of recent mortgage change rules before any new risk-sharing measures are considered, and implementation of a risk-based approach to the common reporting standard.

Canada Pension Plan  The Liberals talk a lot about retirement, but never about creating jobs. As usual, the Liberals are living on another planet, not the one that middle-class Canadians live on, and they are not creating any jobs. Our current economic situation is disastrous, and the Liberals continue to spend recklessly. On top of that, some households will have to pay up to $2,200 more a year, when we know that they worked so hard to save that money.

Canada Pension Plan  Change can be hard, but change is necessary. This brings me back to Bill C-26. Today, middle-class Canadians are working harder than ever before. Many are worried that they will not have the savings they need to live with dignity during their retirement years. Many people were unaware of just how difficult it was if one had not saved enough money when reaching that age of 65.

Canada Pension Plan  I am not saying that we should never make any adjustments, but I am saying that when our economy is like it is now, the last thing we should be looking for are ways to increase taxes on the average Canadian, the middle-class Canadian, the low-income Canadian. The last thing we should do is to say that the government is taking more. It is doing it with the carbon tax. It is doing it with payroll tax increases.

Canada Pension Plan  Today many Canadians are worried that they will not have enough money for retirement. We all heard this when we were knocking on doors during the campaign. Middle-class Canadians I know who have worked hard their whole lives are working harder than ever but are still concerned that they will not be able to afford retirement. This is wrong. This is not a great policy for Canadians, and we should all make sure we make the necessary changes today so that retirement income exists in the future.