Well, I can assure you that I don't quite agree with some of the comments I'm hearing from some of the other members today. Quite honestly, I suppose I'm not only surprised, but I'm a little disappointed.
As you said, we have an aging society. The demands on the future are going to be literally heavier and heavier if we don't eliminate the debt and reduce the debt. As the Treasury Board president said, $650 million each year thereafter requires prudent management.
My opposition colleagues seem to have an attitude of “have money, will spend”. Well, we have a surplus and the surplus doesn't just happen; all parties have contributed to the surplus through the House. I would suggest that we have an obligation, as the Treasury Board president said, to ensure we finally have a level of accountability for our spending.
Could the Treasury Board president elaborate a little on this? People have asked, if we have this surplus, why do we need more savings? Why do we need savings? Why don't we spend it? Could you give me an answer on that?