Mr. Speaker, I think it is useful for us as parliamentarians to know how many people will be affected by the legislation. The fact that the government says that it has done no calculations whatsoever gives us some idea of just how unprepared it is.
I am concerned that the government is increasingly unwilling to let the opposition know how much things cost. The proof is that it appointed an interim parliamentary budget officer when it had had seven years to find one. A few weeks after appointing him, the Liberals began to publicly disparage him, both during question period and in committee. In committee, the Parliamentary Budget Officer presented carefully calculated, evidence-based figures. In response, the Minister of Finance and National Revenue said that the Parliamentary Budget Officer was entitled to his opinion, but that he, the minister, would rather read the newspaper.
I think Canada has lessons to learn. I am not certain that they need to come from communist Vietnam, but we have lessons to learn from many places.