Madam Speaker, congratulations on your appointment. I also congratulate the hon. member for St. Paul's on her initial speech to the House.
We are the highest taxed nation in the world, especially among the G-7 countries. Eighty per cent of our trade is going to the U.S. We are especially very heavily taxed in comparison with the U.S.
Canadian families have been struggling to balance their household budgets over the last several years. Canada is expected to balance the budget shortly.
Who does the hon. member think can spend the taxpayers' money most wisely, the taxpayer or the government?