Mr. Speaker, I think, in some measure, the hon. member's speech is probably one of the more thoughtful speeches I have heard here today. Newfoundland does have a problem. I do not think there is much disagreement with that on this side.
Newfoundland's population has declined by 10% over the last number of years. We agree with that. That is factually and statistically correct. I come from Scarborough and Scarborough has 550,000 people, so it is basically less than the size of Scarborough. The average age in Newfoundland is, I think, three to four years older than the average age of a person in the rest of Canada. That is not a very happy statistic because essentially what it reflects is that young people are being drained out of the province.
We are not arguing about whether there is a problem or even a problem that does not need special address in the circumstance. We have addressed the issue through the Canada health transfer, through the Canada social transfer, through the equalization payments and now we are trying to negotiate and enhance the Atlantic accord.
I do not disagree on his point about the hydro. In fact, Newfoundland and Labrador did get hosed. It is rather incredible and quite regrettable that the province of Quebec will not open it up again but I do not know if this is the area in which it needs to be done.
I cannot fathom why my constituents in Scarborough should be paying their taxes, being generous and open in sending money to all of the have not provinces, and then find themselves in a situation where their fiscal capacity is effectively less than someone in Newfoundland and Labrador. Therefore, if we can arrive at some formula that brings it to the Ontario average, I think that would be reasonable and fair. I do not think it is reasonable or fair to go beyond the average fiscal capacity of a province, such as Ontario, which is basically the standard for the country.