I have a problem with the comment about the tan I have. My wife was rushed off to hospital in sunny California. It was an emergency. That is why I have a tan. I do not appreciate it when members keep referring to that when I am trying to give a serious address on the budget. If they just make jokes about the tan, that is fine. But once they know what it is about I would appreciate a little more respect.
Our taxpayers' budget gives Canadians hope. It shows them a vision and defines a real problem, that of the debt and the interest costs to service that debt. It offers a solution of how to get to a zero deficit so that we can manage the country's finances. We have to get our fiscal house in order so we can start looking at the debt and at ways and means of reducing it. Our children and our grandchildren should not have to continue to carry this heavy, heavy load.
I repeat one more time. Our taxpayer's budget gives the Liberal government an opportunity to adopt that approach, to get to zero within the life of its term. Because if it does not, we will get elected and we will do it.
The debt and the rising interest costs to service that debt is the problem. I have tried to point it out. I have offered solutions. Our party has pointed it out. Our party has offered solutions. Despite all the wisecracks from the finance minister, despite all the rhetoric about how the Reform Party this and the Reform Party that, the Liberals are taking some of our agenda. Why not take all of it? Stop the digging.