Mr. Speaker, I have indeed thought about this question over the last six years since I became a member of parliament. I remember often discussing this topic. It seems to me that it comes up every time the Liberals are in some sort of public relations fiasco. They come up with another bill on same sex benefits and they keep talking about equality, widening the circle and so on.
In every case the Liberals have added to the list. That is not what spells equality. To me, the list is not complete until everyone is on it. I do not know why they insist on simply adding to the list. Why do they not come up with a policy that looks at needs?
There are many examples. One example is the case of the natives in this country. We try to accommodate the way in which they have been mistreated and mishandled for so many years by giving them special benefits based on their race.
Would we not be better off if we looked at the needs and provided for people based on need, as opposed to race, colour or other characteristics?
The list will not be complete until everyone is on it. I might also add, parenthetically, even fat people.