Peter Van Loan, MP, York-Simcoe This week Members of Parliament returned to Ottawa. While the elites may be talking about other issues, I know that York-Simcoe residents care primarily about the economy.
The global economic downturn has taken a devastating toll on our American neighbours, and most other developed economies. By comparison, Canada has done much better. But we need to stay focused to succeed and emerge from the downturn in a strong position.
In the House of Commons, we will see a debate on these fundamental issues this fall.
For example, Canada has a strong fiscal position. We have the lowest debt and the lowest deficit of any of the major developed economies (the G-7 countries of USA, Great Britain, Germany, France, Japan, Italy and Canada).
The opposition Liberals argue that this gives us room for new rounds of stimulus spending, more programs and bigger government.
The view of our Conservative Party is that we must keep debt and deficit down to maintain our strong position. That's why we have a three point plan that will cut our deficit in half next year. It will put us on track to be the first of those major countries to eliminate our deficit, according to the International Monetary Fund.
Another area for debate will be taxes. The Liberals have voted against all of our tax reductions, including the reduction of the GST from 7% to 5%. They now say tax cuts must be reversed. In addition to an increase in the GST, and their policy convention voting to introduce a carbon tax - the Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff is spending much time talking about his proposal to reverse the tax cuts for job-creating businesses.
Our Conservative Party believes that our tax reductions are one of the reasons our economy has been faring so much better than the others. The tax cuts have put an average of $3000 a year back in the pockets of the typical Canadian family. This has meant more money to spend on family priorities - and stronger economic growth.
In fact, as a result, Canada has been posting the strongest economic growth of any of the major economies - something that is projected to continue into the future according to the International Monetary Fund.
As you watch the debate unfold in the House of Commons, you will be able to see the clear choice. Watch who is asking for more spending, more programs and bigger government. Remember that you will have to pay for that, through higher taxes or more government debt (even higher taxes later).
And on the other side, you will see a Conservative Party defending a record of lower taxes and a deficit reduction plan.
It is a refreshingly clear choice, at a time when many complain that all politicians stand for the same thing.
(This article appeared first in the Innisfil Scope, September 22, 2010. It has been posted as well on Minister Van Loan’s website, our source,
http://www.petervanloan.com/do... )
