Actually, the thing that was quite clear at the beginning of the government's mandate was that the Liberal Party had been elected on the promise that it would return the country to a balanced budget in 2019. Every Canadian following these proceedings will appreciate that, once again, I asked for an exact date as to when we would return to a balanced budget. The minister is forthcoming with fine explanations, but not an exact date.
I could ask the question 25 times, as I have in the past. I did so 16 times before the budget was tabled and have yet to receive an answer.
If the minister is unable to give us an exact date, then, I would ask this. Will Canada return to a balanced budget in the short, medium, or long term?