Mr. Speaker, the hon. member may be interested to know that this arrangement in terms of using surpluses of CPP as a basis for provincial use has been in place since the mid-1960s. It is not simply a program to lend to crown corporations.
If the member would speak to some of her colleagues who have been in provincial government she would know that the provinces also provide guarantees on whatever loans that are given to their agencies. Those are usually on a return interest of about 11 per cent, as I understand it. In effect the process has been in place for 30 years.
We are certainly glad the Reform party wants us to take a new look at this co-operative arrangement with the provinces and do something about it. Generally the program has worked very well. It has been a very important source for all provincial governments to invest in a wide variety of important infrastructure and educational institutions in their provinces. It is too bad the Reform party wants that program to come to an end.