Madam Speaker, I would like to comment on the comments of the hon. member from the NDP that we are seeing more and more poorer Canadians and poorer children. I think a distinction has to be made here.
What we are talking about is preventing poorer and poorer senior citizens in this country. That is the concern that we have. Lending money to provinces at preferential or lower interest rates is not what we are talking about.
We want to ensure that there is a solid fund that will provide for Canadians who are planning for their retirement. We see the reason why there is a $600 billion shortfall in the CPP system. It is partly because these funds were loaned to the provinces at far too low interest rates.
We want to see a solid fund that is going to provide a regular income for retired citizens in a way that basically gives the people what they deserve and not having younger people paying exorbitant amounts for this.
I think the hon. member for the NDP is out in left field on this one.