Mr. Speaker, my question is also for the Deputy Prime Minister.
Yesterday the Liberal Government of Newfoundland announced that it would balance its budget next year. In a budget distinguished by the absence of any new taxes or job creation programs, Finance Minister Winston Baker stated:
We must not make commitments today that will place an unmanageable financial burden on the taxpayers of tomorrow. We can no longer mortgage our children's future for short term political gain. That was the way of the past.
The economic challenges facing Newfoundland are certainly as serious as those of the federal government. If Newfoundland can commit to a balanced budget, why can the Government of Canada not do the same?