Madam Speaker, I have listened very carefully to the hon. member's comments on this bill and the amendment he is bringing forward on preferential loan rates to provinces.
I think Canadians are telling us that they are looking for people to manage their money. Over the past 20 years we have been lending money to provinces at a preferred lending rate, but where are we today? There is a shortfall of $600 billion in the fund. I do not think that Canadians were looking for that.
We have to provide Canadians with the best bang for their dollar. They are looking for maximum returns, guarantees that the CPP will no longer be affected. They are looking to have a Canada pension plan in 20 years.
I also heard the hon. member talk about New Brunswick and how this would help to create jobs. I will say that for 20 years we have been lending money to provinces at a preferred rate and the unemployment rate is still very high. I do not believe the status quo would work. There are other vehicles to create employment in New Brunswick. The way to do that is by electing a Conservative government in the next election.
We are talking today about saving the CPP. The hon. member mentioned keeping the status quo. Well today there is a $600 billion shortfall in the CPP fund. Imagine if the NDP were the government today and passed this type of bill. Maybe in 20 years the CPP fund would be a trillion dollars in the red. That is scary. I hope that Canadians can see exactly what is going on here.
I know that for my investment, my money, I want the best bang for my dollar. This is 1997, not 1966.