Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I think it's interesting to note that there's quite a bit of concern about the so-called fiscal imbalance and the federal government's progress on it. In fact, as the panel is aware and we're all aware, the former government denied there was fiscal imbalance and refused to deal with it in any way, shape, or form.
Our government has taken on that task. We have not only put out a paper just a few months after we were elected as to some proposals for this, but we are engaging in very intensive discussions with all the provinces in order to bring together a pan-Canadian proposal that will resolve this issue as best as possible. We know that whatever comes forward, there will be naysayers, and we want to make it as good as possible. We are targeting the next federal budget to bring forward some proposals.
So I would caution the panel about being too negative about this process. In fact, I think it's moving along with amazing quickness, because there are a lot of people to consult and a lot of work that has to be done in order for a truly good proposal to come forward, remembering that we started from ground zero on this. So this is going ahead, this will go ahead, and we are hoping that all the players in Quebec will work constructively with us instead of simply making negative comments about a very good and very reasonable process that is moving as quickly as possible.
That's a statement, not a question, Mr. Chairman, but I think it's very important that we do put that on the record and do get that in front of people.