Mr. Speaker, this reminds me of the discussion we had yesterday and the witnesses we heard from at the finance committee. We all agreed that Canada has a productivity problem and that we need to grow our collective wealth. We also have to make sure that people's income, especially that of the poorest 20% of households, rises faster than the cost of living. That calls for private investment.
We also agree that there is a deficit and that we will not wipe it out in two or three years. We are all realistic about that. However, every dollar the government borrows is a resource that is not necessarily available for loans to the private sector and for more productive investments.
The long-term plan has to focus on productivity. Continuing to run up deficits and increase spending recklessly, day after day, every time the Conservatives move an opposition motion is totally at odds with what the Prime Minister says on a daily basis.