Mr. Speaker, I would remind the minister that the figures for the first five years he is criticizing in the conference board study are the figures in his own budget. It is completely ridiculous.
The Minister of Finance is well known for underestimating budget surpluses. And since 1994, he has been out an average of over 171% per year. This year, he will be out by close to 500%.
Will the Minister of Finance admit that even his own figures are clearly and deliberately low?
In its study, the conference board concludes that there is fiscal imbalance in Canada now—not in the future—and that it will become worse over time.