Mr. Speaker, I will be brief to give other members an opportunity to ask questions.
My hon. colleague from the Reform Party talked about consultations and the short time available for consultations. I would simply like to compare that to the prebudget consultations.
I would point out to him that the auditor general has found a $25 billion surplus in the employment insurance fund and that it is up to the minister to decide what to do with that money.
In all the prebudget consultations we have had since 1993, I do not recall the government asking people if they agreed with the way the finance minister intended to use the surplus. That is a good indication of the government's philosophy with regard to consultations.
This morning, the Minister of Transport said—and his colleagues read speeches prepared by his officials—that we were initiating an important debate. I want to point out that the Standing Committee on Transport will be studying this issue until November 26. It was said that, within the committee, the majority is Liberal and does as the minister says. In the House, the majority is Liberal and does as the minister says. In the Senate, the majority is Liberal and does mostly as the minister says. What does the member think about consultations in that context?