Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to make some comments in order to set the record straight in terms of the fiscal leadership of this country.
The government claims that all of a sudden it balanced the budget. I point out quite clearly that it was Canadians who sacrificed themselves in paying high taxes who balanced the budget.
I would also like to point out that it was the Progressive Conservative government of Ralph Klein that actually led this country with respect to fiscal responsibility and debt reduction. Things like the balanced budget legislation of the Progressive Conservative government of Gary Filmon actually set that road as well.
I will say one thing quite clearly, nobody would have balanced a budget, including this finance minister, if Mike Harris and Ernie Eves did not actually get the economic engine of this country going again, that being Ontario.
I would also like to point out that because of a tax cut of Mike Harris and Ernie Eves, the province of Ontario is taking in more money, not less money, so that the province of Ontario has a chance to reinvest in health care. They are going to be giving some money back in health care. I would point out that by giving some of the money back to health care, I would equate that with taking away a loaf and only giving back a slice.