Business of Supply  Increased investment means more jobs for Canadians and for their families. We have heard the studies from independent, third-party voices like Jack Mintz and the Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters that our low-tax plan is and will create hundreds of thousands of jobs. If the Liberals do not believe them, maybe they would listen to former Liberal deputy prime minister, John Manley.

Business of Supply  Maybe the Liberals could look at the recently released study by a respected academic, University of Calgary economist Jack Mintz, who predicts over 200,000 jobs will be created due to our low tax plan over the long term. In the words of Professor Mintz: We’re just beginning to stake our claim as a country that is good for business.

Pensions  I reported earlier tonight that Professor Kesselman, who is an expert on pensions from out west, has endorsed the NDP's view in a discussion that there seems to be a consensus coming on increasing the CPP. Jack Mintz, the head of the task force itself, has agreed with that. On balance, why is the Liberal Party still holding on to this idea of a supplemental CPP that will not apply to these particular people?

Pensions  To ensure we got expert advice, we created a research working group with the well-respected academic, Jack Mintz, as chair. After reviewing the research, all federal and provincial governments agreed to examine options to improve Canada's retirement system. Our government and provincial governments across Canada consulted with Canadians on ways to improve our pan-Canadian retirement income system.

Pensions  Recently, Professor Kesselman, a pension expert, agreed with the NDP's proposition to increase CPP with a goal of doubling it over 35 years. Professor Jack Mintz, who was part of the task force of the government, agreed with Mr. Kesselman. Having that before us, I am just curious as to whether the member has any knowledge of how soon we can expect the government to start to move on this particular portion of the file.

Pensions  Madam Chair, the parliamentary secretary talked about the difference between the increase in CPP and QPP and the proposal for a supplemental CPP and he pretty well discounted that. I note recently that Professor Kesselman and Jack Mintz also reached the same conclusions. We have had discussions on the bankruptcy and insolvency, Companies' Creditors Arrangements Act, CCAA, situation of Nortel, AbitibiBowater and others.

Retirement Income Bill of Rights  For example, we set up a joint federal-provincial research working group with respected academic Dr. Jack Mintz as director of research to conduct an in-depth examination of retirement income adequacy. The group's findings, made publicly available, were presented at the finance ministers' meeting in December 2009, where we agreed with our provincial and territorial partners to proceed with detailed analysis of areas to improve Canada's retirement income system.

Sustaining Canada's Economic Recovery Act  Speaker, we have the word of the finance minister that that is an area the government is looking at. Professor Kesselman, who is an advisor to the government, has endorsed it. Jack Mintz, the person who ran its consultations, wrote the paper for it. I am optimistic that something will happen on this file.

Sustaining Canada's Economic Recovery Act  Specifically, we are proposing a phasing in, in consultation with the provinces, of the doubling of CPP. I reported to the House just last week that pension expert Professor Kesselman and Jack Mintz, who worked for the government during the studies they have been doing, both agreed with the NDP plan for the increase in CPP. Our plan, as it is proposed, would increase the benefit from $908 a month to $1,817 to help secure a livable retirement for Canadians.

Pensions  Speaker, last week Ontario's finance minister endorsed New Democrats' call for an increase in the CPP. Jack Mintz, the research director of the government's own pension reform task force, has embraced our plan. Pension expert, Professor Jonathan Kesselman, who compared key pension proposals, concluded that the expanded mandatory CPP was the way to go.

House debate  Here is another fact: the Canadian Manufacturers reflected on what the Liberal Party's plans may be by saying: Canadian business investment needed to sustain an economic recovery is threatened by [the] Liberal Party Leader['s]...pledge to scrap planned corporate tax cuts...I do not think we can afford the uncertainty right now if you want companies to make big investments in Canada. According to respected academic Jack Mintz of the University of Calgary, “If the federal opposition parties get their way, these remaining corporate tax reductions will be put off, reversing our march to more job-creating”.

Pensions  Speaker, the Conservatives are continually trying to mislead people. More promises of consultation is all we hear from them. Even Jack Mintz, one of their favourites, is asking why Ottawa is holding back on pension reform. The former employees of Nortel want to know why the government is doing nothing to help them and all Canadians want to know why the government is standing between them and a secure retirement strategy.

THE BUDGET  Let me back this up and illustrate the sheer hypocrisy of the government by giving quotes from leading commentators following budgets from the time the Conservative Party came to office. After budget 2006, here is what well-known economist Jack Mintz had to say: The one policy that could have some impact on productivity--a rollover to avoid capital gains taxes when replacing one taxable asset with another--failed to even get mentioned in the budget.

Disposition of an act to amend the Excise Tax Act  It was related to details of a bill that is the responsibility of the provincial government of Ontario. Jack Mintz talked about the savings and creation of 591,000 net new jobs. He talked about exempting educational services, groceries, basic health, prescription drugs and child care. The HST would not be applicable to those.

Disposition of an Act to amend the Excise Tax Act  However, both B.C. and Ontario have been arguing that it makes sense because it is going to provide an additional stimulus in their provinces to create jobs. In fact, about 591,000 jobs will be created in Ontario, according to Jack Mintz . We might wonder where this money is coming from. Earlier I had an opportunity to pose a point to a member and ask for his comment. It had to do with the difference between this tax and what happens when GST is charged on a product.