Mr. Speaker, I will be the first to admit in a totally non-partisan way that there are some minor things in this budget plan 2005 that I would agree with, albeit, as I noted in my speech to the budget, all of them tend to be three, four, or five years down the road. That is very disconcerting and discouraging for taxpayers that are and have been waiting a long time now for tax relief.
I have pointed this out many times in this chamber. As I travel across the country, what is a surplus to a Liberal is overtaxation to a Conservative. It is pretty basic and it comes down to that.
I saw the Minister of Finance rise in his place and give an off-the-cuff, eloquent defence of his budget for 20 minutes. He talked about the changes and tax relief. Let us take a look at that, right from his own document. The basic personal amount will be increased over a five year period as follows: $100 in 2006, an additional $100 in 2007, $400 in 2008, and $600 in 2009.
I ask the Minister of Finance a simple question on behalf of overtaxed Canadians, especially those whom I am always honoured and privileged to represent in Prince George--Peace River. What would lead him to believe that we, the Canadian people, should leave this corrupt government in power for eight more days, let alone eight more months, and not give them substantial tax relief now?