Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I will stick to public accounts questions. I think the honourable member has strayed considerably from public accounts.
We recall in public accounts we discuss the difference between tax evasion and tax avoidance. In his statement he mentioned tax evasion, and none of us know whether there's been tax evasion or not.
I look forward to studying our chapter on aggressive tax planning, and I'm sure we'll give the member some more feedback after we study that chapter.
That being said I want to pick up a little to get some clarity on EI. I understand, Mr. Matthews, that there's a specific section on EI. I'm not looking at that right now. This is just a general statement, an observation, that we paid out $17.3 billion in EI benefits as an expense yet we generated revenues of $21.7 billion. I think, Mr. Leswick, you mentioned that the balance of the account is still in a deficit position.
So is it fair to state the surplus that occurred in EI this year would go to the balance to offset that particular deficit, resulting in our being in less of a liability than before.
Is that a fair statement?