Mr. Speaker, if time would permit, I would like to some day debate the hon. minister on his concept of what the individual is and what the rights of the individual are as opposed to the needs of our government and society. It is very different on that side of the House from what it is on this side of the House.
The hon. minister also alluded to the fact that he had nearly the perfect person as Minister of Finance. There have been certain perfect people in this world, but they have often met with very disastrous results. I certainly hope he is not alluding to probably the only perfect one who has walked this earth.
In terms of what we have heard this past weekend in our relationship with our counterparts in the United States, there is a great need in this country for us to make a quick move in terms of getting passports for people in order to make sure our economy continues in a very effective way. We know that is going to cost money. We know that it is quite costly to the Canadian people today, at about $85, to pick up a passport.
Maybe the hon. minister could give the House some information on whether or not his department is coming up with a better way and a cheaper way so that most Canadians will have good access to our American neighbours when the need comes next year.