Mr. Speaker, it is interesting how my hon. colleague puts on his sleeve what his real concern is.
Reform members are confused. They came here talking about their concern for the taxpayers and their money. This is a great opportunity for the member opposite to deal with this issue. However, because of the fear that somehow or other we might get credit for defending the taxpayers and their money, members of his party are unfortunately trying to find themselves once again, even though we know there is the united alternative, which some in his party want to kill.
There are many issues that come to this table. The member realizes that it is taxpayers' money, but he is trying to figure out where we can take this money. He stated earlier that it is taxpayers' money. It is not the government's money, it is the taxpayers' money. Yet he wants to take that money and put it into some safe somewhere and say “Do not give it to the government. Do not give it to the employees”, because it is not for the employees, but somehow it should stay there because some time in the future there might be a deficit. Is that not interesting?
Canadians want their money back now. They want to know that the government is guaranteeing the pensions of its employees, and it is doing that. However, if there is excess money in a surplus, they want their money back, so that in effect they can have all of the services that they need and require, including receiving tax back, if necessary, on the issues at hand.
The hon. member stated that the Canadian taxpayers paid for the surplus and they are entitled to their money. Does he believe they should get it back? If not, what does he recommend we tell Canadian taxpayers that is different from what he has stated in the last several years?