Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate the member on his question and on the degree to which he is well informed.
The previous government did lower the rates at the top end. It indicated a preference which we began to clear up in the last budget.
The member will remember that in the last budget we eliminated purchase butterflies. We eliminated the preferential tax rate for larger corporations. We eliminated the $100,000 capital gains tax exemption and we brought in new and tougher rules for foreign affiliates.
I can assure the hon. member that the same spirit of fairness that was shown in the last budget will be shown in this budget. I would like to congratulate the member for his desire to see fairness and equity in the tax system, unlike certain of those opposite.