Mr. Speaker, my colleague has mentioned the consensus reached by the provinces on the proposal made by the Quebec government regarding amendments to the equalization formula. I would like to know if he agrees with the provincial premiers, including the Premier of Quebec, that in the new equalization formula to be negotiated between the federal government and the provinces, which we would like to see settled before March 31, the provinces should be asking the federal government for more predictable payments.
We know that because of a number of different mechanisms, the payments often vary from one month to the other. The provinces have therefore asked that the impact of statistical changes be spread over a period of three to five years.
This being said, I would like him to tell me if he finds this acceptable.