Michael Miltenberger

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. In the past, there have been cases where it’s been a permanent placement where over time they become… In one case I can recollect in my time, they became a resident of Ontario. It depends on the length of the stay, but most jurisdictions now you have to have an understanding that this is a very specialized service that’s being purchased for our citizens, our residents. On that basis, you enter into those agreements. Otherwise it would be problematic for the receiving jurisdictions in terms of pressure on their system over time.

We raised it from 1 to 2 percent. To go to 5 percent would be problematic just because of the cost to administer it and the value to us in the long run and the fact that Canada Revenue Agency looks very carefully at payroll taxes and has a fairly jaundiced view of their appropriateness. Thank you.

Our matching dollars were in the capital plan that was approved in November. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Finance and Health will be working together on this issue. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The payroll tax is administered under the Payroll Tax Act and is levied at the rate of 2 percent of employment earnings. The low-income earners get back the tax when they file. The question is in earners; as well, the answer is that the payroll tax is non-refundable. Although the refundable cost of living tax credit was introduced at the same time as a payroll tax, it is viewed as an offset to the payroll tax. The cost of living tax credit is calculated on the basis of net income and can be claimed by tax filers regardless of whether payroll tax is paid. Thank you.

The Member is correct, Mr. Chair. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would assume yes, but I would ask the Minister of Education if he could clarify that fact. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Deputy minister of Finance, Mike Aumond; deputy secretary to the FMB, Mr. Sandy Kalgutkar.

There is no list as the Member is suggesting. This was brought forward as a long outstanding issue where there were finally funds able to be put to use.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The winter roads, by design, are not meant to take extreme traffic. In some cases it happens, so yes. There is a working relationship with industry to try to make sure we maintain the roads both for the public as well as the industry that is putting a burden on those roads, and it’s in everybody’s interest.