Mr. Speaker, knowing the member's background and his affinity to the labour movement many years ago, is he not embarrassed about sitting in a caucus that is led by a government that has instigated the largest cutbacks in the history of our country in terms of social programs and health care?
The 1995 budget of the Minister of Finance was the most draconian budget in terms of cutbacks in the history of our country. This government almost makes Brian Mulroney look like a raving socialist in comparison, in terms of funding for social programs.
I wonder if the hon. member can tell the House whether or not he has lobbied the Minister of Finance and the Prime Minister to reverse their ways, to mend their ways and to open up the public purse and make sure there is more money going into health care.
I think he saw the statement yesterday as well that the surplus is now $11 billion more than the government thought it was going to be. It is $14.9 billion instead of $3.9 billion. The money is there.
What has this member done to lobby the Minister of Finance and the Prime Minister, or is he part of this great conservative trend in the Liberal Party that makes Brian Mulroney look like a compassionate socialist?