Madam Speaker, I did not know that I would have to give a procedural course to another member across the way. Perhaps I can just recommend Beauchesne to both of them and that will solve the problem. We could have a seminar. It was actually given to all members when we were elected.
The question proposed by the hon. member is very serious. He said that the government is taking EI premiums and putting them into the consolidated revenue fund. I would like him to substantiate that allegation. No such action has been taken. No one has taken EI premiums for anything. That is blatantly inaccurate. I think what he means is that there is a debate right now as to whether the best course of action should be, not is, to lower EI premiums or to lower other forms of raising money, say, for instance, general taxation, whichever is the best process to put money back into the pockets of taxpayers. That is the debate. It is not whether someone has taken or is taking EI premiums.
As to the second part of the question, the hon. member said that these funds are being put in the consolidated revenue fund. In 1986 the Auditor General of Canada recommended in a report abolishing the special UI reserve where the premiums were held. That was abolished a year later in 1987. It has been almost 12 years since there was a separate EI fund. I know news travels slowly around here sometimes, but such a fund has not existed for 12 years. The debate is not on that; the debate is on what is the best process.
The Prime Minister has listened to representations from the member opposite and others. The question is, what is the best process to put some of that money back into the pockets of Canadians, not whether it is going to happen. That is an entirely different issue. How much of a cushion should there be in the event that there is a slowdown in the economy at some point in the future, which I certainly hope does not happen.
That is the debate that is before us. It is not whether someone is taking EI premiums. It is nonsensical to put it in those terms and does a disservice to everyone around here.
I would recommend that all Canadians read the Reform Party's policies. I know that is difficult at the best of times.