Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague across the way for his speech, but I am disappointed that he wants to put the question on this very important issue at this point in time.
Be that as it may, I have a question for the hon. member. His government is taking a significant amount of EI premiums and putting them into general revenues. These moneys are in excess of what is needed in the fund to pay out to people on employment insurance.
Current information shows that taking this money out of the pockets of the private sector has a significant dampening effect on the ability of the private sector to generate employment. The hon. member knows very well that the report of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business which came out 48 hours ago shows very clearly that the number one issue that impedes the ability of business to create jobs are the high taxes in this country.
I ask the hon. member whether he is prepared to ask the finance minister today to lower EI premiums by 50%.