“NDP Motions gain unanimous support but no headlines” Hughes
Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing MP Carol Hughes
Although the opening session of the 41st parliament was dominated by the budget and back to work to legislation, there was more being done in the House of Commons that did not make the same kind of fodder for sensational news. In some respects, it is unfortunate since the motions debated in the last sitting week dealing with senior’s poverty and small business affect so many Canadians. Yet it is understandable that a news climate dominated by sensationalism and a preoccupation with conflict would not pick up on a story where all sides agreed and worked together.
The first of the New Democrat motions passed by the House called for an end to seniors’ poverty in Canada. The motion stated that it is fiscally feasible and called on the government to take immediate steps to increase the Guaranteed Income Supplement sufficiently to achieve that goal. This issue came directly from the New Democrat election platform and was in response to the meagre, half-measures the government had put in the budget.
After many speeches and much agreement on the floor of the chamber, the motion was put to a vote and passed by 291 votes in favour to 0 in opposition. The vote commits the government to a plan that will lift more seniors out of poverty. Given the Conservative majority, the ball is now in their court and we will see if their actions match their words on this crucial issue.
The second motion passed by parliament called on the government to recognize the important role Canadian small businesses play in creating employment in their communities by lowering the small business income tax rate in order to encourage job creation.
Again, the motion was chapter and verse from the platform New Democrats offered Canadians in the election. Once again, it was passed by the House this time 293 to 0. Again, the onus is now on the government to match their words with action.
As we saw in the budget the government offered no tax reduction for small businesses. In fact, the budget was a huge missed opportunity to support small businesses here in Canada. The Conservatives will speak about a hiring tax credit in the budget, but a close examination of their credit shows that small businesses will be no further ahead with it than before. It is a temporary measure that will only exist for one year. All it does is defray the increases in EI premiums that businesses have to pay, starting this year.
New Democrats called for a complete one-year holiday for employers bringing in new hires and we also disagree with the significant increases to Employment Insurance that employers and employees will be paying. They represent a significant tax on working and show the underbelly of the ‘low-tax’ budget all too clearly. We also clearly called for the small business tax to be reduced in recognition of the fact that it is small business that are creating most of the jobs in Canada.
That said, the government has a clear opportunity to show that they will respect the will of parliament by giving these motions life and implementing them. I am sure they will find agreement from all sides of the House when they do. And also sure that you will likely not read about it among the sensational headlines of the day should it happen.
