Mr. Speaker, I listened with interest to what the member had to say and I agree with him that Canadians are fair and generous people who really do not mind helping out their neighbour.
However there is a feeling among many that Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia seem to be left holding the bag with this equalization business. That perception is very real. Part of the problem is that the whole process of the equalization formula is complex, convoluted and confusing. Nobody really understands why one province will be the beneficiary of funding while another will not. Without getting into detail, we have to look at some of the provinces and how wealthy they are in resources and ask why that province is getting funding when another is not.
In all seriousness, how would the member give this whole notion a better public relations face?