Mr. Speaker, I was surprised to hear the last speaker talk about the quasi rebirth of Canada under the infrastructure program. Of course new infrastructures will create some temporary jobs, but the public, the people of Canada were expecting much more than that in terms of governmental economic policy. In that respect, the red book gave the impression something concrete could be achieved.
When the hon. member talks about spending, why does she claim to support this budget if it failed completely, except for promising committees would be set up, to address the tax havens enjoyed by certain multinational corporations, in particular, and certain billionaires?
Over $16 billion are reported to be stashed away in tax havens every year, which could otherwise bring in hundreds of millions in tax revenue for the government. Why has it not been suggested that the infrastructure program, this program she speaks so highly of, be paid for with the money saved by passing a bill on tax havens and another on family trusts, instead of making mere gestures, such as the Liberals are making, while they ranted and raved against family trusts when they were the opposition?
Why not also collect these hundreds of millions? Why not accept to review each departmental budget item? We could easily save, not just hundreds of millions, but a few billion dollars which could pay for the infrastructure program without increasing the deficit?
I am surprised that the hon. member only mentions the costs and benefits of the infrastructure program. She is not looking for ways, however easy, to get money from those who have it, namely the rich, the multinational corporations in particular, who benefit from an overly permissive policy.
One last point. Canada's foreign policy should be reviewed. Take the Canadian embassy in Tokyo for example. We all know that the market value of the lot across from it, which is vacant, is $2 billion and that there are potential buyers prepared to pay $2 billion for a piece of land next to our embassy. Why not?