Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for the question. With reference to his comments about the EI fund, it is a question that has been asked over and over again in the House. I will repeat the answer for the benefit of the member. I hope I can be very clear.
Since 1986 the auditor general has made the request that the government include the EI fund in consolidated revenues. I am not sure where the member pulled his figures from when he talked about a $10 billion surplus. We do not have a surplus in any fund. Any changes in the EI program would deal with the bottom line of government.
Since we have taken office we have provided a cumulative reduction in employment insurance of $4 billion. The government recognizes that employment insurance premiums should not be going up but should be going down.
We have dealt with the issue of employment insurance and we will see a continued reduction in premium rates.