Mr. Speaker, the minister mentioned NISA many times and said that we hang our hat on the NISA program. The minister also mentioned that there is $2.5 billion in NISA. Would the minister agree that it is an accumulated amount which is sitting in accounts and that, in fact, NISA contributions are not made specifically by the federal government? There is a contribution from the producers, from the provinces and from this government.
When we compare the $2.5 billion in Canada to the $20 billion in the United States, that is an unfair comparison. In fact, the Americans right now are acknowledging that they will put $6 billion into support programs and an immediate $2.9 billion will be in cash.
Would the minister please correct the impression that in fact the $2.5 billion came from the federal government and that it is enough to combat the $6 billion in the U.S.?