Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague for the questions. It allows me the opportunity to speak specifically to the rather targeted nature of the changes. A large part of the reason we are engaged in this discussion has to do with the fact that the Minister of Human Resources Development has invited Canadians to help priorize what is important to social policy spending.
I would say the member has hit the nail on the head. We have to make sure there are sufficient opportunities for those people who are not able to be employed. At the same time, we have to make sure there are opportunities for people, regardless of disability, who would like to work and very often can work, but are constrained by a system that requires them to define themselves as being unemployable to get benefits.
It is deplorable that people who otherwise would love to be working-in many cases that is the case in that particular community-are restricted by virtue of the programs they are participating in. I welcome the opportunity to point that out.
Regarding the rather philosophical nature of my discourse I can only say I really believe that is the tone we should bring to this debate as we launch it, because we want to involve Canadians. The first place to start is the values around which this review should take place.
Clearly my background as a proud member of the party that I support leans me toward supporting the kinds of programs that would offer opportunity to the people the member mentions. As we engage the nation in this debate we are all obliged to set out the parameters and bring a philosophical framework to the discussion.