Mr. Speaker, I listened with interest and it sounded like a death bed repentance, a true confession, a catharsis for the hon. member.
I want to share this time with other members. The member talked very seriously about the implications of the reduction of transfers to the provinces.
The member well knows the transfers are a combination of tax points and cash and that under the existing EPF and CAP provisions, in certain provinces the amount of cash would be reduced to levels which would eliminate the leverage the federal government would have with regard to maintaining national standards with regard to education, health and so on.
I wonder if the member would admit or agree that the consolidation of the programs under one transfer, where there is a consolidation of tax points and cash, does assist the federal government to ensure appropriate national standards?