Mr. Speaker, I will answer the question directly, but first let me state very clearly that the member who asked the question was not listening at all. When he said that instead of congratulating ourselves we should congratulate the people of Canada, did I not begin my speech by saying what the Prime Minister and Minister of Finance said, that the victory over the deficit is due to the hard work and sacrifice of Canadians over the past four years?
To even start a preamble to the question without recognizing what I have said in the beginning meant that this member was not listening at all. If he does not listen how can he get the right message to his question, whether in fact by reducing the debt we would be able to spend more on social programs?
We have an amount of money and we have a need at this time for health care and education. If we put all this money into the payment of the debt where will be get the money for health care and education? It is simple arithmetic.