Questions, Statements, and Debate

Hansard Record, House of Commons, December 8, 2009

Mrs. Carol Hughes (Algoma—Manitoulin—Kapuskasing, NDP):

Madam Speaker, before I ask a question of my colleague, I want to read a letter from one of my constituents, Carole Lalonde, from Elliot Lake.

She says:

Hope U are fighting for us NOT to have HST in Ontario. It may help the Ontario gov't, but it sure would NOT help us, the seniors, and lower income people. This is going to cost us an additional 8% on so much, and our income stays the same. I don't hear of any plans to increase our pensions, and we could sure use it. Everyone gets a raise except the ones that need it the most.

My colleague spoke about pensions and she spoke quite eloquently about the needs of women. Could she maybe speak a little more on that and respond to the fact that too many seniors live in poverty,

Hansard Record, House of Commons December 8th Ms. Irene Mathyssen (London—Fanshawe, NDP): Madam Speaker, I would like to share my time with the member for Sault Ste. Marie.

I believe it is essential for me to speak today, on behalf of my constituents, against this insidious new tax. I say this because when it became clear that the party in power was determined to inflict a new tax on the people of Ontario and British Columbia, I sent out a mailing to the residents of London—Fanshawe. I asked them what they thought of the HST, the new tax that Conservatives and Liberals plan to enact on July 1, their gift to Ontario and British Columbia on Canada Day.

I communicate quite regularly with my constituents and they respond in significant numbers. We have a good dialogue, and I always appreciate hearing from them.

However, the response to the HST survey was astounding. I received hundreds and hundreds of mail-backs, emails and letters. I have never had such a response.

Mr. Jim Maloway (Elmwood—Transcona, NDP):

Madam Speaker, I note the member pointed out that she had an outpouring of support from her constituents for her position against the HST. She is backed up in that by the Ipsos Reid Canwest News survey just out yesterday, which shows a whopping 74% of the people in Ontario are against this tax.

Ms. Irene Mathyssen (London—Fanshawe, NDP): Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the opportunity to ask the minister a couple of questions.

I want to begin by assuring him that New Democrats all across the country are profoundly concerned about taxes that are being downloaded onto consumers in order to give yet more tax breaks to multinational and profitable corporations.

Ms. Irene Mathyssen (London—Fanshawe, NDP):

Mr. Speaker, this morning I had a conversation with a young man by the name of Khaled Al Sabawi. He is a young man who went to the University of Waterloo. He was born in Palestine but has lived in Canada since he was two.

Ms. Irene Mathyssen (London-Fanshawe, NDP):

...However, we need to be cognizant about what is missing from this bill and I would like to go back to that. While the CPP adjustments are very good, providing an increase in security for seniors, some flexibility, and a reduced incentive for early retirement, these are still lacking. They are lacking because they do not provide enough security for seniors.

Ms. Irene Mathyssen (London-Fanshawe, NDP):Mr. Speaker, I thank all the members who have made a contribution to this debate.

This bill, my made in Canada bill, will go a long way toward building new markets for Canadian suppliers, strengthening sustainability and fulfilling our environmental commitment while encouraging Canadian entrepreneurship. This bill will help support sectors in crisis, including the auto, steel and forestry sectors, and replace the government's ad hoc approach with a consistent policy.

OTTAWA – November serves as Women Abuse Prevention Month and New Democrats are incredibly disheartened by the Conservative government failure to address violence against women.