Mr. Speaker, the issue of equalization is fundamental to Canada. Equalization has represented a cornerstone of the social and economic policies in Canada. The equality of opportunity that has been provided by equalization is pivotal and important if we are to ensure that throughout Canada people have access to the levers of the free market and a global economy.
It is very important that we recognize the differences of the country and encourage people to succeed in their provinces and to access opportunity. Without equalization, without this commitment to what is essentially Canadian, we would be imperilling that opportunity and that tenet of Canadian policy.
I mentioned earlier that in Manitoba there is some significant concern over the reduction in equalization payments that this adjustment process would result in. It reminded me of an article I read last spring in the Winnipeg Free Press of Saturday, May 17, 1997. It followed the Reform Party's announcement on equalization and was called “Securing Your Future”. They were calling for a cut in equalization payments by 12% or $1 billion. They were looking at readjusting equalization so as not to include some of the provinces that are currently receiving it.
Manitoba would be one of the provinces that would be cut out of equalization. I will give an idea of the impact on Manitoba. Manitoba's deputy premier Jim Downey at that time called the Reform plan to cut equalization payments to only three payments frightening. He said that at first blush it would cause a remarkably severe impact on Manitoba and a loss of $1 billion or about one-sixth of the province's gross revenues. He said it would essentially wipe out 25 provincial departments or the entire education budget. He was explaining what the impact in the short term would be of this type of draconian policy.
We all believe in the free market. We must all understand that the free market is only successful if all Canadians have access to the levers of it. In a knowledge based society equality of opportunity means equality of educational opportunities and health care. All these policies tie together.
We will not stand by and see a ghettoization of Canada. It is a remarkable achievement in our country that we have been able to provide some semblance of equality across the country in terms of opportunity.
We would like to see the government move forward not just with an equalization policy to equalize opportunities but with something more fundamental than that, an industrial strategy for our country, which is clearly lacking; a commitment to reducing interprovincial trade barriers; a commitment to reducing taxes; a commitment to reducing the regulatory burden on individuals and on small businesses; and a commitment to ensuring that Canadians can not only compete in a global environment as we enter the 21st century but can succeed in that environment.
Our party has always been committed to these goals. We would like to see the government commit in the upcoming budget to the type of fiscal policy and type of economic policy that would lead Canadians proudly into the 21st century. Maybe some day equalization will not be necessary because all regions of the country will succeed and all Canadians will have an opportunity to participate in the type of economic growth that everyone deserves.