Mr. Speaker, I find it interesting that the hon. Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance brings up the formula when there is admission by the auditor general that it is too convoluted, that the formula is manipulated, that it can be changed and interpreted in different ways. The formula is not that clear. That is the whole problem with this equalization transfer program. It is not clear. It can be manipulated.
I respect that he differs with my opinion on the transfers, that the conclusion that they had under given money or under transferred money to Newfoundland was not political. I appreciate that he does not agree with me. I would not expect him to agree with me, representing the federal Liberal Party and supporting the provincial Liberal Party.
Part of the problem, very clearly, is that we have low income families in British Columbia, Ontario and Alberta that are sending money to subsidize the Irving family in the Atlantic Canada provinces.
It is not fair for low income taxpayers and families in the three have provinces to support very wealthy families and individuals in the rest of Canada.