Madam Chair, I do need to recognize the member for Hamilton East—Stoney Creek. He indeed has done extensive consultations with people not just in his own riding, but he has travelled around and listened to people. We recognize his contribution. As he states, he and I have had many discussions both in the House and in my office. He is passionate about making sure that we make the right decisions. We are trying to put forward as a package what will work for the short term, whether it be changes that help seniors today, but also to make sure that the changes that we make will help young people going forward.
The one issue we have not talked about yet and I am sure it will come up is a report we are expecting very soon from the financial literacy task force that will provide us with some insight on how we need to educate young people. I referred to this in my opening remarks about people looking after themselves. We cannot take away the responsibility of the individuals to make sure that they make the right decisions to prepare for their retirement. It cannot just be government that looks after their retirement. People have to take some personal responsibility. There are extenuating circumstances that are beyond people's control. I talked about that in the downturn in the markets, but personal responsibility also has to be a part of this. That has to be factored into our discussions here tonight. How do we encourage young people to think about their retirement? How also do we encourage people to keep working longer?
I personally feel that there is no place in my future for retirement. Why should many other people who want to continue working be forced out of work? They have productive years. They want to contribute. There are many good years left in some of us old souls and we should be given a chance to keep contributing.