Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for his intervention. I would like to expand on that.
We all know that every government, whether it be provincial or federal, has a responsibility. We know that the debt, as I stated today, of $700 billion is both a federal and provincial number. There are a number of provinces that need to get their financial houses in order. If the finance ministers of all provinces were to follow the example of the federal Minister of Finance, we would have a more open process across the nation. That would be wonderful.
As I stated earlier, one problem today with our debt is the fact that over 44 per cent of it is foreign owned. With the problems developing in other provinces, as my hon. colleague pointed out, we have to get control of it both federally and provincially. The consultation process, openness in asking Canadians for their input and listening to their ideas is the way to do it.