I was not in caucus to be able to stand and do anything. In 1995 I was recovering from a rather sudden career change, leaving politics for a couple of years due to health and fatigue reasons. The voters were sick and tired of me, I am sorry to say. I was out for a couple of years, only to recover and come back and have the great honour of serving in this government.
Let me say in direct response to the member that there are tough decisions which need to be made in government. To inherit a government as this government did in 1993 with a $42 billion deficit, it has to look at what is in the cupboard and what it can afford.
The courageous actions of the Canadian people, supported by the policies of the government, have led us to the time today where our economy has never been stronger.