Mr. Speaker, I think what the speech of the Minister of National Defence demonstrates is the old adage that “If you have the truth argue the truth, if you have the facts argue the facts, if you have neither pound the table”. That is what we saw from the minister just now.
This is not an attack on the Governor General. When this cut to her budget passed, it passed with the support of Liberal members of Parliament, including the Liberal member of Parliament from Thunder Bay, sitting right behind the Minister of National Defence. It also included the member for Sudbury and the member for Ottawa—Orléans. This had the support of all parties in the House, including Liberal members of Parliament, because all Canadians are concerned with fiscal responsibility.
Ray Hnatyshyn, George Vanier and a number of other Governors General have served this country marvellously. The argument can be made by some, as the minister did, that this Governor General has done a good job. However she has not done a good job of being a good steward of taxpayers dollars.
All we are talking about is a reduction of less than 3% of her overall budget as a message that taxpayer dollars should be treated with respect and care and that she had not done that so far. We are sending that message with the support of Liberal members of Parliament, and we want to send that message tonight.