Mr. Speaker, unfortunately time is of the essence. Budget consultations will have to be completed in seven weeks.
Yesterday the Conference Board of Canada and a number of business economists predicted that this year's budget plan would not be met and that more spending cuts were needed to prevent a financial crisis for the country. All these experts say that cuts in social programs are needed.
Could the minister tell these financial experts and anxious Canadians that his reforms will lower social program expenditures in the next budget?