Mr. Speaker, nothing could be further from the truth. Actually there is absolutely no change to the accord or the equalization program. What has changed is that the provinces mentioned now have a choice. They can take a balance of the two, provided they do not exceed. It is interesting that the member should talk about promises. I will not get into the negativity. I want to get into the positive messages to Nova Scotia in this budget.
Under the payments for Nova Scotia in millions of dollars, if we left it at the status quo it would mean a difference of about $95 million in this current budget and in 2008-09, an additional $59 million. Under budget 2007, under the O'Brien plan, equalization goes from $1.344 billion in 2005-06 to $1.465 billion in 2007-08. The total increase right across the board is millions and millions of dollars extra for both of those provinces. There are millions and millions of dollars more for Saskatchewan.
There are interpretations, but we are maintaining our commitment. We are maintaining the very commitment that the Prime Minister made. We are actually adding to it because of Canada's great economy at this time under the leadership of the Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance.
We need to concentrate on the great successes of this country. Canadians go to work every day and pay their taxes. We are reducing the debt burden on those Canadians. We are reducing their mortgage. The one reduction of $13 billion recently paid toward the debt will mean 600 and some millions of dollars that we will be able to return directly to Canadians in tax reductions through our tax back guarantee.