Mr. Speaker, I listened with interest to the hon. member and actually agreed with much of what he had to say. I did note, however, that he continues to try to dupe Canadians into believing that Canada is the only country facing a recession at this time.
I note the stark contrast in what he said compared with what media commentators and experts around the world have had to say about this. For example, the New York Times said, “Why not emulate the best in the world, which happens to be right next door?”
Newsweek said, “If President Obama is looking for smart government, there is much he, and all of us, could learn from our...neighbour to the north”.
The London Telegraph said that the Canadian Tories were a model of how to behave during a downturn.
The French finance minister, just a couple of months ago came out of the G20 finance ministers meeting saying, “I think we can be inspired by the Canadian situation. There were some people who said, 'I want to be Canadian'”. We do not even know where the Liberal leader stands on that issue.
I would like to know what the hon. member's comments are in regard to those comments, noting of course that he always tries to take credit for things that he did 13 years ago when he was in charge of the finances of the country.
The quote said that the Canadian Tories were a model of how to behave during a downturn. I would like the hon. member's comments on what the world has to say about Canada's leadership at this time.