Hon. Alice Wong, P.C.

On April 13, 2016, Alice Wong asked two questions in the House of Commons on the topic of Taxation.

The following is a transcript:

Hon. Alice Wong (Richmond Centre, CPC):
Mr. Speaker, the Liberals love to make promises to Canadians, only to turn around and change their minds.

Instead of encouraging jobs and hiring, the Liberals have increased payroll taxes and EI premiums for small businesses. This does not affect just small business owners but also the millions of Canadians who work for them.

When will the Liberals stop killing jobs with higher taxes?

Hon. Bardish Chagger (Minister of Small Business and Tourism, Lib.):
Mr. Speaker, once again, we have lowered taxes on small businesses; we have lowered taxes on middle-class Canadians. We are working with Canadians to ensure that we have a strong economy and that we create jobs. Budget 2016, which I encourage the member to read in its entirety, makes many investments, including $11.9 billion in infrastructure spending, which will help small businesses, and $500 million for broadband in rural and remote areas.

I see the Speaker’s hand is waving, so I will stop, but the list goes on. I am thankful for the opportunity to stand to say how we are working with small businesses.

The Speaker:
I guess I had better help members by letting them know that when I start doing that, it means they have 10 seconds and counting. I would ask them to keep that in mind.

The hon. member for Richmond Centre.

Hon. Alice Wong (Richmond Centre, CPC):
Mr. Speaker, one thing is very clear: Liberals think borrowed money will somehow magically create jobs. Small businesses understand that jobs come from hard work and responsible spending. The Canadian Federation of Independent Business president Dan Kelly said, “Small business owners know that today’s deficits are tomorrow’s taxes”.

Why are the Liberals taxing job creators to pay for their reckless spending?

Hon. Bardish Chagger (Minister of Small Business and Tourism, Lib.):
Mr. Speaker, what I have said in the House before is that saying it does not make it true.

Let us look at the facts. We are working with small-business Canadians. We are working with the Small Business Matters Coalition. We are working with stakeholders. There are 3.2 million Canadians whom we are representing on this side of the House. We are working with the Canadian Federation of Independent Business and Dan Kelly himself. I have met with him and will continue to work with him.

We will continue to represent small businesses, and I encourage the member opposite to take some time to meet with me as well.

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