Mr. Speaker, the hon. member who asked the question showed some ignorance about how the system works. That is quite evident on the other side of the House. That is why they are supporting this bill, although we read in the newspapers that there are some wise men on that side who oppose it. There are a few members who understand what this bill is about and they know to whom this money belongs.
First, I point out to the hon. member that I write my own speeches. I prepare my speeches and I work hard. I am not like other members who bring their papers but who speak without them.
Let me point out that the hon. member knows that under the CPP 30 years ago if someone invested $1 the return should have been $11. Now with that $1 investment we know they are getting 48 cents worth of return from their pension which is managed by the government formed by his party and which was managed by the other party that ruled this country. This money belongs to the pension fund of the employees.
I have received many letters from my constituents who are worried about their pensions. A few years ago there was a $13 billion shortfall in the pension plan. Who covered that shortfall? The taxpayers.
Does the member believe that government can raise the premiums in the pension fund time and again and give a little back to the senior people who depend on their pension as a small contribution for what they did? Is this not another tax? Is that how the hon. member thinks the government should balance the budget? It has already balanced the budget on the backs of the taxpayers.
Now it wants to score some brownie points during the election time by using the pension plan money of the employees, performing some tricks in the accounting of the books and taking money from the pockets of retired seniors to pay down some debt and give tax relief.
The government has already cut $20 billion from health care in transfer payments to the provinces and then it injected $11 billion. It brags that it is injecting $11 billion. Does it not remember that it cut $20 billion in the first place? Those are the mathematics the government is using.
Voters do not have short memories. I am sure that the 654,000 pension plan members will remember when it is time to vote.