The Canadian federal budget for the fiscal year 2006–2007, was presented to the House of Commons of Canada by Finance Minister Jim Flaherty on May 2, 2006. Among the most notable elements of the federal budget were its reduction of the Goods and Services Tax by one percentage point, income tax cuts for middle-income earners, and $1,200-per-child childcare payment (the "Universal Child Care Benefit") for Canadian parents. Prime Minister Stephen Harper called the bill an indication of what Canadians should expect from his Conservative minority government. Many aspects of the bill were criticized by opposition parties. The Liberal Party and New Democratic Party indicated that they would not support the budget, while the Bloc Québécois indicated that it would vote in favour of it. On June 6, 2006, the budget was introduced for a third reading in the House of Commons. Amid an apparent mix-up, no Members of Parliament rose to speak. Thus, the budget was declared passed by unanimous consent a week ahead of schedule. Highlights Initiatives to be delivered over periods ranging from one to five years: $1.1 billion for the Canadian Forces. $2 billion in general spending cuts. The creation of the Canada Employment Credit, a tax credit to be worth approximately $155 per employed Canadian by 2007. $1 billion for emergency preparedness, specifically against a potential flu pandemic. A decrease (in law) in the lowest income tax rate from 16% to 15.25% for 2006, and then to 15.5% for subsequent years. Increases to the amount that an individual can earn before paying personal income tax from about $8,300 to $10,000 by 2010. A reduction of the general corporate income tax rate from 21% in 2007 to 19% in 2010, and elimination of the 3% corporate income surtax after 2006. $160 million for hiring new police officers at the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. $3 billion to reduce the government's debt. No funding for the Kyoto Protocol. No funding for the Kelowna Accord. $150 million in new taxes on income trusts. Goods and Services Tax cut The Conservative government promised to lower the federal Goods and Services Tax from 7% to 6% in its first budget and to lower it to 5% by 2011. During the 2006 election campaign, the Martin government proposed income tax cuts for lower-middle-income earners. The Liberals claimed that the GST cut would effectively result in a tax increase for those in the lower-middle-income