Madam Speaker, that is the member I was referring to a little earlier.
The member for Kelowna stood in his place with righteous indignation. Did he speak to the issue of the equalization program? No, he did not do that. Did the member for Kelowna or the member for Kootenay—Columbia address the specifics of the equalization program? No. Did members opposite in the Reform Party want days to discuss the equalization program? Yes. Are they going to discuss the issues? No.
The member for Kelowna talks about his party's policy on the equalization program. Maybe the hon. member could save that debate for his united alternative meeting this weekend because there is a policy on equalization in the country and it is working terrifically well. It has been examined for two years by federal and provincial representatives. Does the member want to attack the issue at hand? Does he want to look at all the points that are important to the equalization program? No, he does not. To his constituents in Kelowna I apologize on behalf of the member.
I understand my time is up. I appreciate the opportunity to contribute to the debate and to show how government members are trying to articulate the importance of this cornerstone of the federation.