Mr. Speaker, I really did not have a question but then I was prompted by the member. We have had a good joust. I very much respect the member.
The hon. member finished her comments with regard to the consultation process. I think I have to disagree with her. Having been on the finance committee for about four years, I very much enjoy meeting Canadians right across the country and travelling to their communities as well as having some come and give their views here. The member will know very well that if all of the inputs from all of the people who came forward were costed out, we would be talking about $50 billion or more. Clearly we could not do everything that everybody wants.
Notwithstanding that, the process is meaningful simply from the standpoint that Canadians do have an opportunity and governments do have to make choices and each budget is not a budget wherein all things must be dealt with. Budgets have to be dealt with in the context of prior budgets and all the things that change.
Let us look at what has happened over time, over the last decade. We have balance in terms of $100 billion in tax cuts, balance in terms of $50 billion of debt repayment, and savings of $3 billion a year. Then there is balance in terms of a massive injection into health care, child care and the cities agenda. There are some very good things that go on. I just raise it with the member. Maybe she would at least concede that Canadians still should be heard. We can always do better.