Mr. Speaker, it is a pleasure to join the debate on the budget implementation bill.
I will begin by acknowledging my Liberal colleague who just spoke. I think this is the first time I have ever heard a Liberal member acknowledge that CPP increases somewhat knock into the tax cuts that have been given by the government. I appreciate that candor.
At the same time, I want to talk about the legacy of the Liberal government during its reign from 1993 to today. The government has done some good things in terms of tax cuts, but it has not been enough. As the Liberal member just mentioned, the cuts taken away on the one hand have been increased with CPP contributions in other areas. The overall impact has not had the maximum effect of what real, substantial tax cuts would do in stimulating our economy.
I do want to talk about the Liberal government's missed opportunities. Throughout the early part of the Liberal government's term in power, it had to make some cuts. In recent years the country has had unprecedented growth. The Liberal government has missed the opportunities to plan for the future. It thought of as many ways as it could to spend taxpayer dollars, and I will reflect on some of that.
The growth that occurred in our economy previous to the current recession we are now in, somewhat related to September 11 but other factors as well, was in spite of the government not because of it. For years we have heard the Liberals say that the policies of the government have made things happen economically in the country.
Seeing as I have the floor, might I take this opportunity to perhaps move a motion, seconded by my colleague for Elk Island, that for the rest of this term in parliament we make all private members' bills votable? Would there be consent for that motion?