Discussion · Government Orders
Jean-Denis Garon Bloc Québécois
“The budget has some good steps, but it does not go far enough. It misses money to refill the employment insurance fund. It also should give forestry companies cash advances to cover American duties. Tax credits are not enough while companies have their money tied up in the United States. I want the government to work with us on this before these companies close.”
“Mr. Speaker, in all fairness, some measures have indeed been introduced, often at the urging of the Bloc Québécois. However, they do not go far enough. We had called for a wage subsidy. Measures have been put in place through the EI system, but we also asked for a provision to replenish the fund if necessary. That measure is not in the budget. We also called on the government to give our forestry companies an advance to offset the countervailing duties. Doing so would not cost the government a single dollar, since the advance would simply become an asset on its books. Of course, the budget includes measures to support investment, but there is nothing better than investing with cash. Instead, companies are being offered tax credits and incentives while their own money remains tied up in a trust in the United States, pending a resolution that will take several years. I believe this proposal would be good for the forestry sector, and I expect we will continue our discussions with the government. I am hopeful that this will eventually happen. I am just worried there will not be many forestry companies left in Quebec by then.”
Mr. Speaker, in all fairness, some measures have indeed been introduced, often at the urging of the Bloc Québécois. However, they do not go far enough. We had called for a wage subsidy. Measures have been put in place through the EI system, but we also asked for a provision to replenish the fund if necessary. That measure is not in the budget. We also called on the government to give our forestry companies an advance to offset the countervailing duties. Doing so would not cost the government a single dollar, since the advance would simply become an asset on its books. Of course, the budget includes measures to support investment, but there is nothing better than investing with cash. Instead, companies are being offered tax credits and incentives while their own money remains tied up in a trust in the United States, pending a resolution that will take several years. I believe this proposal would be good for the forestry sector, and I expect we will continue our discussions with the government. I am hopeful that this will eventually happen. I am just worried there will not be many forestry companies left in Quebec by then.