Finance committee  I think the IMF was concerned about the geopolitical tensions that are rapidly growing everywhere, whether it's in Europe, Russia, or anywhere else.

Finance committee  I'm an economist and I don't predict political events in the Middle East.

Finance committee  In my mind, yes, I do.

Finance committee  Yes.

Finance committee  I would say this, though, that no tax is a good tax. You always try to choose the most efficient and fairest tax. I'm just saying that in the past number of years that's not been the case.

Finance committee  Yes, if you look in the Department of Finance budget documents that dealt with stimulus, expenditures on infrastructure had about 1.5. Depending on the type of tax cut, it was less than 1, probably about 0.5.

Finance committee  No. What I'm talking about is that the current proposals as I read them, the proposal to extend the—

Finance committee  Yes.

Finance committee  It sounds like a good idea. I don't have any particular thoughts on that.

Finance committee  As I read it in the press the cost of income splitting would be a little over $2.5 billion federally and would impact on the provinces to the tune of about $1.7 billion, of which $1 billion would probably fall on lost revenues for Ontario. Given the fiscal situation of Ontario, I

Finance committee  Yes.

Finance committee  Let me make two points. I think what you say is absolutely true, but it's not just in Canada. The IMF has said that globally that's what is necessary. There's been a significant decline in public infrastructure globally. The G-20 finance ministers met in Australia and have made

Finance committee  I think that would be a distinct possibility. In a national strategy that would be an important element to look into. I think there are a number of other things you could also want to consider. You might want to consider, for example, that because 95% of infrastructure is provinc

Finance committee  I think of the circumstances that we've talked about. The primary focus of our fiscal plan right now should be on strengthening growth and job creation going forward. So I would say that when you look at extending the tax credit for fitness, any of that business, including splitt

Finance committee  I haven't seen that.