Mr. Speaker, a certain member of this House has recently reminded Canadians that he was Minister of Finance during the years 1977, 1978 and 1979. The budget deficits for those three years were $10.4 billion, $12.6 billion, and $11.5 billion for a three year total of $34.5 billion.
One can add up the budget deficits from 1976 all the way back to 1954, the first post-war budget deficit year, and only get to a total of $25.9 billion.
History tells us that two Liberal finance ministers went on a spending spree and overspent more in three years than their predecessors had overspent in 21 years. Canadians turfed that irresponsible government out in 1979.
Do you know who the Minister of Finance was for the 1978 and 1979 budgets? Why of course, it was the present Prime Minister. This country cannot afford the kind of experience that was brought to us by the present Prime Minister.