Madam Speaker, we will soon be called upon to vote on a budget in which the government has decided to redefine what constitutes an investment. It turns out that the government's definition of investment does not exist anywhere else. The budget says so itself. It does not exist in Singapore and it does not exist in the United Kingdom.
According to the Parliamentary Budget Officer, we are not talking about $45 billion in investments, but rather $2.2 billion. He has indicated that that definition is likely wrong and has suggested that a committee of experts should look into the matter.
I would like to know what role truth should play when a budget is tabled. What role should transparency play? Is the government not engaging in a campaign of misinformation directed at Canadians and Quebeckers?