Mr. Speaker, yesterday we were able to announce the end of the deficit. The finance minister rose to tell us that we have and will continue to balance the budget.
The budget reflects the priorities of my community of Guelph—Wellington. Ninety per cent of all taxpayers will receive a reduction in taxes. Eighty per cent of the budget is made up of education and health care. This is in keeping with what all Canadians have told us their priorities are.
The students of Guelph—Wellington will be helped. Transfer payments to the provinces will be increased and more money will go to research and development. I am especially pleased to see the contract payment system become mandatory.
This government has listened and acted. Thank you Guelph—Wellington and Canada for making this possible. Balancing the budget has not been easy, but with compassion and determination, together we have done it.