Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I first want to say how much I appreciate the contribution, hard work and suggestions that the Conservative committee members have put forward. Since the election, their ideas have gone a long way towards making measures better.
I agree with the points raised by the honourable NDP member Peter Julian. We have to tackle the revenue side of the equation, because giving way to the immoral use of tax havens is not cutting it. As far as this amendment is concerned, however, I do think it's important to remember what André Giroux, the Parliamentary Budget Officer, told us, as Mr. Fragiskatos mentioned. Mr. Giroux said that, with respect to Bill C-14, increasing the borrowing limit is not synonymous with introducing new spending measures.
Every expenditure has to be approved. Parliament overseas spending through supply votes, not the debt ceiling.
Keep in mind that playing with the borrowing limit is the tactic Republicans use in the U.S. to trigger crisis after crisis. When the government reaches the limit, it can't write any more cheques: public servants stop being paid, pension and employment insurance benefits stop going out, and government service providers shut down.
That is an irresponsible approach, and for that reason, I will be voting against the amendment, especially since a vote for the amendment is akin to a non-confidence vote—and all the consequences that go along with it.