Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the hon. member's question. As he knows, we are not borrowing any money right now to meet our budgetary requirements. In fact, we will balance the budget no later than the fiscal year 1998-99. We stated that when the books are balanced and when we find ourselves in a budgetary surplus then we will split whatever budgetary surplus is there 50:50 within our fiscal framework.
I will tell members what I told my constituents and those people who voted in the 1997 campaign in my riding. I told them that this is the first government in 30 years to be able to say we will balance the books, and this government will maintain our fiscal track record. At the same time, this government is compassionate and recognizes that there are social and economic priorities far beyond tax reductions. We will ensure that all Canadians are treated fairly, and I will stand on that record.
I am sorry the member for Elk Island does not recognize there are social and economic priorities and not just tax reductions.