37^th Parliament, 3^rd Session
(February 2, 2004 - )

Edited Hansard • Number 038

Wednesday, April 21, 2004

STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS

[S. O. 31]

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[Hansard – Page 2214]

Taxation

    Mr. Garry Breitkreuz (Yorkton—Melville, CPC): Mr. Speaker, the release of Monday's Statistics Canada report on the birth rate in the country should send a loud, clear message to the Liberal government.

    Families are being forced to have fewer children because they cannot afford to be a single income family and cannot afford day care or even find day care.

    The solution is simple: provide equal tax breaks for parents who choose to raise their own children. Parents should be given the option to raise their children at home without incurring a financial penalty.

    Do we not trust parents to make the right choices for the children they love? The benefits would be astounding if we did. We could see the job market open as parents leave formal employment in favour of raising their children, waiting lists at day care centres would evaporate, and the birth rate would most certainly increase.

    Our children, however, would receive the greatest benefit, as they would be brought up in the most nurturing environment, their own homes.

    Instead of punishing stay at home parents, why not provide equal tax treatment to those who choose their families over their careers?

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