Mr. Speaker, I am totally in agreement with what my colleague has just said.
As I have just said, we are going to vote yes, but with a great many reservations on certain unfortunate points, the very ones he has just listed.
This is why I said that this famous panel ought to have had greater powers, precisely so as to provide the municipalities with support in certain areas.
In my opinion, it is a cut and dried issue. If the federal government has buildings, or receives services in a municipality, then it should quite simply—particularly with the huge surpluses it has—at least pay for the services it receives, just like John Q. Public does.
This would enable the municipalities and provinces to breathe easier and to balance their budgets.