You could say that if Quebec had taken up this one percentage in tax. To try and resolve the fiscal imbalance, the federal government must make proposals to the provinces. A hand must be extended and the government must specify that points are being transferred. If not, it must at least add a little phrase saying that whoever wants to take the points can do so. The government must open the door for the provinces so that they can take up the percentage point of tax. If nothing is done, it will be up to the provinces to join forces and say that if the GST goes down, they will increase their sales taxes.
In July, it was technically feasible. Quebec could have taken the point. If I had been Minister of Finance in Quebec, I would have taken it, and I would have told the federal government that I would be returning the amount to the population by reducing taxes once we had received a comprehensive solution to the fiscal imbalance. Obviously, I am not an elected official; so it is easy for me to say what I would have done.