Mr. Speaker, perhaps the member did not hear me when I quite clearly said that in all likelihood the members of the New Democratic Party would hold their noses and support this motion. We will hold our noses because it is an unsatisfactory way to deal with the problem, but we feel it is the only way to get a message through to this government. We will likely support the motion.
However, we have clear concerns about the intent of the motion, given the history of the Conservative Party, and the Reform Party before it, on the matters of equalization. I want to refer the member to previous comments made by an institute that has served as resources to the Conservative Party, that being the Fraser Institute. It has opposed the redistributive character of equalization. It has called it an elaborate system of bribes, a great pork barrel.
I remind the member that others in his party have over the years expressed great reservations about an equalization program that ensures that everyone in our country, regardless of their province and region, can access relatively similar public services and that their governments are able to provide those services with a relatively similar tax system.
I think my position is clear. We understand the reasons for the motion. We will support it, but it is not drafted in a way that is conducive to a long term strategy.
I wish the Conservatives had mentioned the fact that there are consequences for this kind of proposal and I wish they had mentioned the fact that all provinces want to see immediate action on a 10-province standard that includes all revenue.