Mr. Speaker, we have had a very interesting debate all day. I think the result of the Conservatives' vote on this bill will really determine the long term future evolution of their party in Canada. I am interested in what the member thinks.
There are questions as to whether there is any progressive Conservative element left in that party. A lot of members have left the party and a number have come to the Liberals. There may be some left but it will be very easy in the debate, when individual Conservatives look into his or her conscience, to see whether each one of them could really vote against clean air for Canadians. Could they vote against helping poor children overseas who cannot get clean drinking water, food or a meal? Could they vote against affordable housing? Do they not want every Canadian family to have a house to live in? Would they prevent aboriginal people and youth from obtaining post-secondary education? These are all fundamental tenets of a progressive party, a progressive type of government in Canada. They are the types of things that a progressive Conservative party would have supported.
If members can live with their conscience to have on record their voting against these things in this budget, it will be the final icing on the cake that there are only remnants of the Alliance left, only the far right wing in that part. There is no progressive element. It could bring the party back into contesting the national government in mainstream Canada. I think we should have a strong national opposition in mainstream Canada.
As a philosopher of government and the Constitution, I would like to ask the member about the future evolution of that party. It appears from the speeches to date that there is going to be no progressive alternate to the Liberal Party on the opposite side. It is simply a party where every single member might vote against clean air for Canadians, against foreign aid for children and people overseas who cannot afford protection from disease and contaminated water, against affordable housing for all Canadian families, and against post-secondary education assistance for aboriginal and other Canadians.