Pensions  Speaker, this summer, the Minister of Finance reached a historic agreement in principle between the federal government and the provinces to enhance the Canada pension plan. This deal was part of the government's commitment to help middle-class Canadians at every stage of their lives by putting more money in their pockets when they retire. This week the government has moved forward with implementing the agreement. Would the parliamentary secretary please update the House as to the work being done to enhance the Canada pension plan?

Taxation  It would make Canadian businesses more innovative and competitive. It would bring new and exciting job prospects for middle-class Canadians. It would reduce the carbon pollution that threatens the future of this planet. Job creators across Canada actually agree with us. The president of Shell Canada said, “balancing Canadian economic development while protecting the environment will be enabled by a reasonable price on carbon...”.

Taxation  They know that pricing carbon pollution will bring new and exciting job prospects for middle-class Canadians. It also includes a number of leading Conservative politicians, including Ontario Conservative leader and former member of Parliament Patrick Brown, who says: Climate change is a fact.

Taxation  Speaker, we do care for Canadians. That is why the first thing this government did was reduce taxes for middle-class Canadians. Nine million Canadians today pay less taxes because of this government. We went on to introduce the Canada child benefit, which is helping Canadian families. We then went on to enhance the Canada pension plan, or CPP, which is going to help Canadians now and in the future.

Paris Agreement  We committed over $60 million for clean transportation, $2 billion to communities to improve their water infrastructure and make buildings more energy efficient, and over $1 billion to support clean technology projects. Canadians wanted change and we are delivering. Creating good jobs for middle-class Canadians is part of our commitment, as is our $120-billion investment in infrastructure over the next 10 years. We will create jobs by updating our regulations in the construction and technology sectors.

Human Resources committee  Over the years, even before you entered politics, you worked very hard at several levels to make our society more inclusive, more respectful and more mindful of the needs of middle class Canadian families as well as those who would like to improve their lot. You have already done excellent work and I encourage you to carry on. I know that you have already introduced a bill that aligns itself well with the discussion we plan to have over the coming weeks as well as the mandate I was personally given as Minister of Families, Children and Social Development.

Human Resources committee  Sustainability of development is certainly a key aspect, for which we have announced measures that will enhance the opportunities for middle-class Canadians, both to earn a secure level of living and to contribute to a society where our economy and our firms will benefit from the type of investment that the challenges, and the opportunities, of climate change pose to us.

Human Resources committee  Therefore, not only will the enhancement help to ensure a more secure retirement for middle-class Canadians, it will also contribute to our efforts to reduce poverty now and in the future. All of these actions I have discussed reflect our determination to reduce social inequality and to ensure prosperity for all Canadians.

Canada Revenue Agency  We are determined to crack down on tax cheats who choose to participate in tax schemes that place an unfair burden on middle-class Canadians. The CRA has received funding to update those tax schemes and find the people who are threatening the integrity of our tax system.

Finance  Mr. Speaker, for middle-class Canadians buying a home is probably the most important investment they will make in their lifetimes. Since increasing the down payment requirement in December, the minister has been doing a deep dive with his provincial and municipal counterparts.

Education  Speaker, post-secondary education must remain affordable and accessible. That is why we are investing $1.53 billion over the next five years for middle-class Canadians. As of August 1, we increased student grants by 50%, which will benefit 363,000 students. We must also remember that the previous Harper government froze Canada's student grants since 2009.

Finance committee  In terms of those specific actions, the federal government can take immediate steps to improve affordability and contribute to the prosperity of middle-class Canadians. First, Canadians must get the maximum benefit from infrastructure and transit investment. To this end, the federal government should encourage its government partners to mandate appropriate densities along transit corridors and nodes.

Employment  Speaker, in the last election, Canadians had a choice between a government that for 10 years was unable to create the kind of growth for Canadians that middle-class Canadians needed, because Conservatives kept insisting on lowering taxes for the wealthiest and giving benefits to millionaire families. What we did instead was actually invest in our communities with historic investments in infrastructure.

Government Operations committee  [Inaudible—Editor] treating jobs that middle-class Canadians have in the postal services as some type of welfare. These are actual jobs that people do. They provide logistics services to Canadians. Mr. Kirk, you talked about fulfillment and a gap in fulfillment.

Budget Implementation Act, 2016, No. 1  It offers assurance for families, dignity for seniors, respect for our veterans, a future for our youth, renewed hope for aboriginals, a humanitarian global presence, sustainable environmental policies, fairness and equality. When middle-class Canadians have more money in their pockets to save, invest, and grow the economy, it is all Canadians who benefit.