Finance committee  I tend to agree very wholeheartedly with that. When we talk to many non-profit organizations and groups that receive funding from a whole multitude of sources, frequently they feel that the lines are confusing. Not just in education, but in a lot of other areas, I think those lines have to be made very clear.

Finance committee  I think you'll find that if you change that--and as you see, it's a $0.3 billion change--the money that goes into those pockets will in fact turn around in investments, because you'll find that a lot of our senior corporation managers, the CEOs, reinvest into other businesses, and the economy goes around.

Finance committee  No.

Finance committee  Correct.

Finance committee  I'm saying that we've talked to all the economists from the banks, and their sense is that Canada's productivity is going down the tube as fast as a speeding train. They call it a crisis in productivity. My point is that we shouldn't focus totally on productivity, because there are so many variables that make it up.

Finance committee  You know, your question is very similar to that of a gentleman who talked to us five or six years ago--Paul Martin. As finance minister, he asked exactly the same question that you've put. Our answer at that time--

Finance committee  No, no, at that point in time he wasn't going that route particularly; the environment changed, as you know. At any rate, it's a matter of balance.

Finance committee  Yes. We concur with Jeff. In fact, with the Manitoba Chambers, we've been in discussions with the provincial government to try to revamp the apprenticeship program. There are things that get in the way. Some of the unions have a particular interest in seeing that their existence is perpetuated.

Finance committee  We've held out for a half per cent reduction on the personal income tax rate, which we assess at being $1.4 billion. This is consistent with the Canadian Chamber of Commerce position.

Finance committee  First let me thank you all for providing me the opportunity to present to you. The Manitoba Chambers of Commerce represents 75 chambers and in excess of 10,000 businesses across Manitoba. It is the largest cross-sectoral organization in Manitoba and represents businesses from small to large companies.