Madam Speaker, as someone who is not quite at the age where I am thinking about getting on to the Canada pension plan, I have to admit that in the last few months I have become very much aware of the seriousness of this legislation and the consequences to the people of Canada. The amendment our caucus is supporting is a clause that has been part of the Canada pension plan since its inception in 1966.
When I listen to the comments of the member from the far right on this being a devastating affect, putting the Canada pension plan way under, that people of Canada want to see their money invested strictly for profit, I suggest that the provinces being able to access the Canada pension fund for investment to ensure they can continue is an investment and is profitable. It might not be a buck we can hand back and forth, run to the store with or down the street, whatever our little hearts desire, but it is profitable. It is an investment in the people of Canada.
I am surprised at the comments coming from that member. His party left in Saskatchewan one of the most devastating results of a government that so blatantly abused its power. I am surprised that the present government did not have to borrow from this fund to secure the locks on the jails of Saskatchewan because of that situation. It was able to borrow from this fund and is very credible in its approach to getting out of the mess that government put us in.
As someone who grew up in Saskatchewan I would go back from Manitoba year after year while that government was in place and watch my home province go down and down and down. It literally tore me apart. I have such pride in seeing the results of the present government and knowing that this amendment, this proposal, was the result of being able to see that province come back life. For someone to suggest that it is not important, that it is not a profitable investment, is absolutely disgraceful.