Madam Speaker, I am very happy to rise in response to my hon. colleague's comments.
I recognize and I think all Canadians recognize that there had to be some belt tightening and we had to get rid of the deficit. However, I heard the finance minister, in this year and in the year previous, brag that finally we had a zero deficit.
It does not take a rocket scientist—maybe it does if it is a Liberal member of parliament—to understand that the transportation system is one of the most vital systems in this country. It is what makes our economy work.
We can pay taxes in many ways. We can let the system fall to the point where we are saving today, but it will cost three times the amount of money to put it back to where it should have been had we been putting the money in to keep it where it should have been. It has been falling and falling. We pay taxes on the one hand, then we drive on roads that wreck our vehicles, and then we spend money to repair them and we get taxed again.
The money should be spent on the system so that our goods can get to market. That is what drives our economy. I cannot for the life of me understand why the government cannot see that as a priority. It is one of the main engines which drives our economy.
The hon. member said it. We have to consult. The government can consult until the cows come home. It is obvious to everyone that this infrastructure program needs to be put in place. It needs to be put together, maintained and improved. I do not understand where the member is coming from with his comments.