Sound Economic Management Without a Carbon Tax Week

May 15th, 2008

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In keeping with our theme for the week of strengthening democracy and human rights, today we will continue to debate Bill C-47 to provide basic rights to on-reserve individuals to protect them and their children in the event a relationship breaks down - rights that off-reserve Canadians enjoy everyday.

We will debate our Bill to give effect to the Tsawwassen First Nation Final Agreement, Bill C-34, and our Bill – Bill C-21 - to extend the protection of the Canadian Human Rights Act to aboriginals living on reserve. 

We will also debate Bill C-29, which is our Bill to close the loophole that was used by leadership candidates to by-pass the personal contribution limit provisions of the election financing laws with large, personal loans from wealthy powerful individuals and Bill C-19, which is our Bill to limit the terms of Senators to 8 years from the current maximum of 45. 

Next week, Mr. Speaker, will be Honouring our Monarch Week.  Members of Parliament will return to their ridings to join constituents in celebrating Queen Victoria, our sovereign with whom Sir John A. MacDonald worked in establishing Confederation, and honour our contemporary Head of State, Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. 

The week the House returns will be Sound Economic Management Without a Carbon Tax Week.  The highlight of the week will be the return of the Budget Bill to this House on the 28th of May. 

The Bill ensures a balanced budget, controls spending, invests in priority areas, and keeps taxes down while avoiding a carbon gas and heating tax on Canadian families.  As well, the Budget Bill makes much needed changes to the immigration system.  This will help ensure we keep our economy competitive.  This House can be assured that we are committed to passing this Bill into law before the House rises for the summer recess. 

We will start the week by debating at third reading Bill C-33, our biofuels Bill to require that, by 2010, 5% of gasoline and by 2012, 2% of diesel and home heating oil, be comprised of renewable fuels.

We will debate Bill C-55, which is our Bill to implement our Free Trade Agreement with the countries of the European Free Trade Association.  It is the first free trade agreement signed in 6 years and represents our commitment to finding new markets for the goods and services Canadians produce.

We will also debate:

• C-5   dealing with nuclear liability issues for our energy sector. 
• C-7   to modernize our aeronautics sector.
• C-43 to modernize our customs rules.
• C-39 to modernize the grain act for farmers.
• C-46 to give farmers more choice in marketing grain.
• C-14 which allows enterprises choice for communicating with customers; and
• C-32 to modernize our fisheries sector.