Mr. Speaker, we have been through this territory several times, but I would be quite happy to try to repeat it for the understanding of the hon. member.
First, the proposed changes are designed specifically to help create jobs in this country. A large part of that amount goes to re-employment measures, which will enable people to get back to work. The remaining portion goes to help establish a fund to stabilize the premiums.
The hon. member was in this House during the 1990s. He knew what happened when the previous government had to raise the premiums by 95 cents over a period of two years. It threw the market into total havoc. It drove down the economy. It put an extra burden on workers. It destroyed jobs.
One thing about us compared to New Democrats is that we learn from history and we are not going to repeat that mistake again.