Madam Speaker, the member is debating Bill C-65, which has to do with equalization payments. I know that he is the finance spokesman for his party and is well aware of the fundamental principles, one of which is that on a province by province basis we do not take individual provincial tax rates into account but rather the average of five provinces. It would be very difficult for any province to structure tax rates which would allow it to maintain equalization payments.
Frankly, I was astounded by the answer that was given to the question posed by the parliamentary secretary. The insinuation by the member was that equalization is a disincentive. He denied it and then he went on to explain how it is a disincentive. It is sucking and blowing at the same time. He cannot have it both ways.
The question to the member is simple. Does he believe that the equalization program, agreed upon by all of the provinces and the federal government following two years of consultation, is a disincentive for growth in a province which would otherwise have opportunities for jobs? Does the member believe a province would turn down opportunities for economic growth simply to maintain equalization payments?