Mr. Speaker, I appreciate that correction. Canadians might have a little sympathy for the government after seeing this spectacle of members opposite saying no taxes, while the opposition was saying through the last speaker no cuts and maybe we should have tax increases.
What bothers me particularly about the last comments from the opposition critic are the internal consistencies in his very statement. Those members speak often about logic, yet I hear them say: "We recommended a whole host of cuts. On one hand, cut national defence spending but of course not in Quebec. Cut Hibernia but help out MIL Davie", which we heard much about in the months leading up to the Christmas recess.
There were other thoughts about family trusts. The comments on family trusts, as in the minority report they proposed, reflect a complete misunderstanding of the role of trusts in Canada and the importance of family trusts to family businesses, to small businesses, to families; completely misrepresenting the importance and reality of trusts. In the fullness of time, I have confidence the finance committee will issue a majority report that sets the record straight.
With respect to three per cent and the three per cent figure, on one hand we have members opposite saying that it is not enough. On the other hand we get criticized by the opposition critic for adjusting our outlook to take into account the real world, reality, and to make sure we get there.
When we meet that target it will be the first time in a long time that we have met a target in the right direction. It will go a great distance toward restoring the credibility that members opposite suggest is lacking in financial markets and go a great way toward restoring the confidence we should have in our ability to solve our problems.