Mr. Speaker, I think we all know the situation in relation to the budget. There are certainly elements about it that we are not at all pleased with. On the other hand, it is clear to me from Canadians that they want to see stimulus get out the door. There is no sign the government is doing anything so far in terms of stimulus. Of course, as the Conservatives know, their own proposal is not to spend a dime of the budget money until April 1 or perhaps later. There are reasons for that, as the member knows.
In relation to the minister's comment previously, and I think my colleague will find this worthwhile as well, we did not see in this budget anything to really change the employment insurance system to ensure that people in communities that are affected by mill closures, et cetera, can more easily get access to that program.
I agree with my hon. colleague that there are many problems with the softwood lumber deal, and the fact that those funds were not invested in mills to help them thrive was an important problem.