Gurbax Singh Malhi

Issues

Gasoline price rise is long-term challenge

The recent spike in gasoline prices has been a major concern for many constituents. Many rely on their vehicles for work or family needs, and the increased price of a fill-up can cause great hardship for the family budget. Winter heating prices are also a great concern.

•    On May 8, 2007, the House of Commons voted on a motion calling for the government to amend the Competition Act to give the Commissioner of Competition the power to launch investigations into the price of gas and the profits of refineries. The motion was passed 159 - 122, with all the opposition parties voting in favour, and only the Conservatives voting against. The motion is not binding on the government, but it does signal that our current competition laws aren't tough enough and an investigation of industry pricing practices is needed.

•    Federal taxes on gasoline have not changed in more than a decade. There is a flat 10-cents-per-litre excise tax on gasoline. The only other federal tax is the 6% GST, which is charged on most products. Among industrialized countries, only the U.S. has slightly lower gasoline taxes, and in most countries taxes are much higher.

•    In opposition, the Harper Conservatives promised to reduce gasoline taxes. Now that they are in government, however, they have broken that promise. The one-per-cent cut to the GST brought in on July 1, 2006 did not result in any decrease in retail gasoline prices.

On April 30, 2008 I stated in the House of Commons:

“Mr. Speaker, consumers are being slammed by gas prices,
 which are expected to hit $1.40 a litre this summer and
 could reach $2.25 a litre by 2012."

 High energy prices are especially hurting low income
 families, leaving little money for food and housing.
 Creative solutions are needed. That is why the Liberal
 Party has a plan to build a green economy, promote
 alternative energy sources and improve fuel efficiency.

Canadians are demanding action to help them cope with
rising energy prices today and ensure that Canada is a
leader in the green technology of the future. Instead, what
they have is a government that is like an exhaust pipe:
all it puts out is a lot of hot air.
 
Immigration:

Currently, 236,758 immigrants make Canada their home annually. Canada benefits from attracting and employing highly skilled immigrants, but we must do more to ensure that the immigration process is seamless, eliminating unnecessary hardships, and that new Canadians are able to work at their full potential by recognizing the credentials they hold.

The Conservative government, under Bill-C50, has given the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration unilateral authority to determine priorities for the processing of immigration and application requests. These measures could potentially reduce the number of new immigration applications that the Federal government accepts each year, particularly in the number of family class applications. In accordance with the feelings of my constituents, I voted against Bill C-50 – irrespective of what the rest of my Liberal colleagues decided to do.

Bill C-50:
•    Puts too much discretionary power into the hands of a minister to cherry pick the kinds of immigrants that the Conservative Party deems “acceptable”.

•    This legislation eliminates the right to equal opportunity for every application to be given fair review and consideration, regardless of background, country of origin, or skill set.

A progressive immigration policy founded on the broad principle of welcoming immigrants of all backgrounds and abilities has been a historic cornerstone of the Liberal Party of Canada, and I believe that Canada is stronger because of it. With declining domestic birth rates and an aging population, Canada is already facing critical skills shortages that will reach alarming levels unless we find a sustainable solution.  If we are to attract much-needed skilled labour and professionals from around the world, we must:

•    Encourage skilled immigrants to make Canada their home.

•    Realize and encourage family unification as a vital part of making Canada an attractive or even viable destination.

•    Ensure that temporary visa applications – in the event of a family wedding, death, or major function – are approved more frequently.

Climate change skeptics

The right-wing governments of George W. Bush and Stephen Harper have maintained close ties to a group of "climate change skeptics," some of them dissident academics who receive funding from the petroleum industry. Employing the same tactics the tobacco industry used decades ago to deflect health concerns about cigarettes, these skeptics seek to raise doubts about the conclusion by mainstream scientists that human activity has increased the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, contributing to climate change.

Green Shift – The Liberal Plan:

The Liberal Party of Canada's plan for the environment and the economy is a Green Shift that will cut income taxes, put a price on pollution, fight poverty and position Canada to be a leader in the 21st century global economy. Canadians know that we need to be bold, not blind, to the challenges we are facing today, especially climate change. It must be stressed that no new taxes will be levied on gasoline at the pump - there is already an excise tax in place which equates to $42 per tonne of carbon dioxide.
Using the revenue generated through carbon pricing, a new Liberal government will implement measures like:

•    Significant cuts to the first three marginal rates of income tax;

•     A new, universal child tax benefit worth $350 per child, per year, on top of all existing child benefits;

•    An $850 increase to the employment tax credit, which will also be made refundable and targeted at lower-income Canadians;

•    A more generous Working Income Tax Benefit to help Canadians over the welfare wall;

 •    Additional tax credits and incentives for business to encourage innovation and green investment;

 •    An increase to the Northern Residents Deduction, and indexation going forward; and
 
•    An immediate Green Rural Credit worth $150 for every rural tax-filer.

The Green Shift will be part of a broader environmental plan to help Canadians reduce their environmental footprint, become more energy efficient and save on energy costs. It will include complementary regulations and incentives such as home retrofits, energy efficient appliances and vehicles, and low carbon farm and forestry practices. It will include complementary regulations and incentives such as home retrofits, energy efficient appliances and vehicles, and low carbon farm and forestry practices.

As a result of these measures, by the fourth year of the plan a two-earning family with two children and a combined income of only $20,000 will receive a benefit of almost $2,400. A family with two children earning $40,000 a year will save nearly $1,900, and a family with two children earning $60,000 will save over $1,300, as will a family earning $80,000.

Bill C-61, Copyright Act:

Many of you have expressed concern about the Conservative government's new Copyright Legislation, Bill C-61.

I believe that Canada's Copyright Act must be updated to address rapid changes in technology. This is a highly technical bill that requires careful study to ensure it strikes the right balance between consumers and creators, and I will encourage my colleagues on the Industry Committee to carefully examine the legislation.

My Liberal colleagues and I are concerned about how this bill treats technological protection measures. One of our key concerns is the Conservatives’ failure to properly consult Canadians to ensure that the final bill fosters innovation, fairly compensates creators and treats consumers with respect. We need wide consultation – with consumers, creators and the business community - to ensure that we properly understand all of the impacts of the legislation. In particular, I believe it is very important that Canadian youth are consulted. Based on the feedback from these consultations, the Liberal Opposition is committed to amending the bill as required.