Mr. Speaker, I explained that earlier. Consumers are turning increasingly to electronic money, to cards from various financial institutions. We must get used to this technology. But I think that the purpose of today's debate is not to determine whether four loonies weigh more than two $2 coins. Let us get real.
We are ready to help the government reduce the deficit, and we are ready to eliminate the $2 denomination, and I am convinced that, in the interest of eliminating the deficit, the Canadian public will certainly agree. The loonie which was put into circulation eight years ago, can be used for a much longer period of time that the dollar bill it replaced. If we did away with the $2 denomination, the loonie could be used more effectively.
The United States and Great Britain have eliminated the $1 coin and the $2 bill and the two pound note. Let us follow their lead and we might save even more that what we are now contemplating. The government just decided one day to issue a $2 bill and today finds itself wondering whether this denomination continues to serve any purpose.