Mr. Speaker, yes indeed, it is as if we want to outsocialize each other. That is not the point here. The point here is that we need to look after the needs of Canadians and we need to do it in as equitable and fair a manner as possible.
We live individual lives. I thank the hon. member for focusing this once more not on a formula, not on a constitution, not on the transfer of funds from one province to another, but rather on the needs of individual Canadians.
If there is one thing that has become abundantly clear, it is that the federal government has taken an increasing share of an individual's income, of an individual's ability to look after himself through the taxation system, which makes it impossible for him or her to do the kinds of things he or she would like to do.
When it comes to equalization payments, the very same system should apply. It should be there for the individual Canadian.
The new Canada Act was put together by individuals, by Canadians who care. It was not dreamed up by some kind of big academic involved behind closed doors in a big ivory tower and thinking something through. This came from people with real needs, people who wanted jobs, people who knew that the system was too complex and too subject to political manipulation in order to accomplish what it was intended to accomplish. That is what we are talking about when we are dealing with these two points.