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GST - April 10, 2006

Mr. Merv Tweed (Brandon—Souris, CPC): Mr. Speaker, on January 23 Canadians turned over a new leaf. No longer did they want a government that made promises and then sat back and did nothing.

In 1993 the Liberal Party campaigned to scrap the GST. After much time, much talk, and even recommendations from the member for Malpeque to lower the GST by at least one point, the Liberal Party did nothing.

Thirty-two per cent of Canadians do not pay income tax and would not save a dime from the Liberal income tax plan. A Conservative government has promised a tax cut that will benefit every single Canadian. Every member of your family and mine will see the benefit of the reduction of the GST from 7% to 6% and eventually to 5%. We will leave more money in Canadians pockets every day.

What a novel idea, a government that says what it will do in a campaign and then actually delivers. Reducing the GST from 7% to 6% to 5%, something Canadians can take to the bank.

Mr. Merv Tweed (Brandon—Souris, CPC): Mr. Speaker, yesterday the Auditor General released a report that stated that the Liberal government was underfunding the RCMP. In Manitoba alone the government has cut 25 officers from the highway patrol unit.

Last Friday a local business woman from my constituency of Brandon--Souris had to call three RCMP detachments and wait five hours before an officer showed up, following a robbery at her rural grocery store. She stated that she felt very frustrated as they helplessly were forced to watch thieves take off with their goods.

In light of the Auditor General's report, the increasing street crime in Canada's cities and the lack of police manpower in rural communities, I call on the government to admit its Liberal soft on crime approach has failed Canadians and to state that a new Conservative government will end the useless long gun registry and give more support to our front line officers.

Mr. Merv Tweed (Brandon—Souris, CPC): Mr. Speaker, it has been 246 days since the government announced its new deal for cities and communities. The government has been signing deals since March and other provinces have been able to move forward with their plans and projects.

My province of Manitoba has lost six months' worth of valuable construction time, an entire season. Manitobans deserve their fair share. The only ones who seem to get the cash when they want it are the government's cronies who do not have to wait for approval, they just put it on their expense accounts.

It is within the government's power to make this deal happen. The Prime Minister must stop dithering and instruct Manitoba's lead minister to start rowing or get out of the boat. Maybe someone else can get this deal done for the benefit of all Manitoba communities. I urge the government to act today.

Mr. Merv Tweed (Brandon—Souris, CPC): Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to stand in the House today to congratulate the Jennifer Jones team from Manitoba on their victory last week at the Scott Tournament of Hearts.

Jones, third Cathy Overton-Clapham, lead Cathy Gauthier, and fifth Trisha Eck, along with a constituent of mine, second Jill Officer, won Manitoba's first national women's title since Connie Laliberte did in 1995.

Behind for most of the game, the pressure was on with Jones' last shot in the 10th end. A virtually impossible shot in front of her, Jones came through and nailed it. One analyst called it “the best game-winning shot” he had ever seen.

In addition to the Scott title, Jones and her rink also won the right to represent Canada at the world championships in Scotland next month.

On behalf of all Manitobans and Canadians, I would like to say congratulations to the Jennifer Jones rink on a job well done. They made us very proud.

Mr. Merv Tweed (Brandon—Souris, CPC): Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to highlight a very important event that will be happening in my constituency. November 13th will mark the official welcoming ceremonies of the 2nd Battalion of the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry to CFB Shiloh. Preparations have been taking place since the move was announced, and the 700 soldiers and their families moved in over this past summer.

The residents of Brandon--Souris have welcomed the Princess Pats with open arms, reaching out to them and making them feel at home in their new surroundings. Soldiers and their families have reciprocated by becoming active in and bringing a great deal of energy and enthusiasm to their new communities.

As member of Parliament for Brandon--Souris, I am very pleased to welcome these honourable men and women in uniform and their families to the riding. I look forward to meeting with them at the official welcoming ceremonies on November 13.

Statements (S031)