Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for Elk Island, not just for his intervention today but for his participation at the finance committee as vice-chairman. He adds a great deal to that committee.
He is absolutely right when he says that the aspirations, goals and concerns of people in Atlantic Canada are not that different than those of people in western Canada or in Ontario. One of the differences in the last couple of decades is that Atlantic Canadians have wanted to be at the same table as the rest of the country enjoying the economic growth that has occurred in places like Alberta and Ontario. We see the development of our offshore oil and gas deposits as being pivotal. That is why it is important that all members of the House take very seriously the initiative of premiers, like John Hamm, the premier of Nova Scotia, in renegotiating and developing a fairer approach to equalization that would enable provinces like Nova Scotia to maintain and hold onto more of the revenue in order to diversify its economy, build a stronger fiscal situation, reduce debt, reduce taxes and grow the economy.
I would bring to the House the reassurance that in provinces throughout Atlantic Canada we are seeing a very diversified economy emerging in terms of IT and a knowledge based economy, and our universities are playing a very important role in that regard.
The same concerns the hon. member hears from his constituents, that government waste and Liberal leadership driven spending may not necessarily reflect the aspirations and needs of Canadians, I am also hearing from my constituents in the riding of Kings--Hants. I am certain that Canadians in every riding across Canada have very similar concerns and ultimately very similar goals for what they would like to see from the government.