Mr. Speaker, It is interesting to listen to the hon. parliamentary secretary. I would encourage him not to break his arm patting himself on the back however.
On this first anniversary I find it interesting that the Liberals come to the House of Commons saying: "Give us your ideas". After being in opposition for eight years and burning to take power with all they had to offer the country, they end up asking: "Well, what are your ideas?".
I find the credit they take for the infrastructure project interesting. This project will add $6 billion or $8 billion to the debt. It will provide jobs for a few months which our children will end up paying for. I find this very interesting.
The question on my mind is with regard to the consultation process. Two of these processes are taking place right now, one by the Minister of Human Resources Development and the other by the Minister of Finance.
The first consultation I mentioned is one for which Canadians are asked to give the government their ideas, but it is a process that makes it extremely difficult for Canadians to take part. After the minister's announcement they were given until September 7 to get their briefs in. This was after applying for the information on the proper procedure to follow.
As far as the people of British Columbia are concerned, these consultations are being held November 16 and 17. It seems to be a very short timeframe for filing briefs, one that is impossible for anyone but the special interest groups who already have their briefs in. As a result, members of Parliament are having to gather the information, take it out to their ridings and perhaps return it to the minister.
With regard to the consultation process with the Minister of Finance, it seems to be much more an exercise in rubbing people's noses in the mess that has been caused by previous governments over the past 25 years, to soften them up for the process of what is to take place. I really question whether consultation is being required as much as preparing people for the onslaught of what is to come.
The Reform Party provided a program during the election campaign a year ago in which by focusing resources upon those people most in need we would be able to eliminate the deficit in three years. This would be done without the harsh consequences the Liberals keep trying to portray us as bringing onto the country.
The question I would like to ask the hon. parliamentary secretary is when will the Liberals really take seriously the process of consultation and open the doors for Canadians as well as opposition members to provide the ideas they keep calling for?