Mr. Speaker, what I would say is that this differential existed when Stephen Harper was the prime minister as well. There are a number of factors in the way in which Canadians create the revenue that supports social programs. At the end of the day, what the hon. member is suggesting in today's motion is to take away the funding of GST that supports broad government programs in that member's riding and all across this country.
I have a question for the hon. member, and maybe he can take a thoughtful dynamic in his own party. Essentially, the Conservative position on eliminating the clean fuel standard would be like suggesting that we should put lead back in gasoline because it would actually make fuel slightly cheaper.
The members laugh, but I am sure that if we looked at it, if we did not actually take lead out of the gasoline process, which Brian Mulroney did in the 1980s, it would make gas slightly cheaper. That is the same principle that the Conservatives are pushing today.
Why not just go all the way and say that we should put lead back in gasoline instead of supporting Canadian farmers, clean energy solutions and industrial investment across the country?