Finance committee  The question that begs to be asked is in the formulation of this program. How does one determine the parameters of fiscal capacity? Are you arguing that Saskatchewan's fiscal capacity is greater than Ontario's? Is that the argument? Have we a program in place that defines that wh

Finance committee  If the outcome is that the resource revenues that belong to the people of Saskatchewan to build for their future are being taken from them—

Finance committee  They are being taken from them. You need a course in equalization.

Finance committee  Let me close with my own apologies to our colleagues here from the child care community and from the CLC and working people. We share some of the very deep concerns that have been brought to this table and to this committee today from the child care community. The termination of

Finance committee  Yes, but affected in Saskatchewan's case will bring our total to zero. If this is a matter of equity and if equalization is based on fiscal capacity, I would appreciate an explanation from the Conservative members of Parliament of how it is that my very good friends and neighbo

Finance committee  The answer is no. And I understand Mr. Fitzpatrick has decided not to seek re-election.

Finance committee  What we are asking for, and have consistently asked for, is fairness, the fairness by which other Canadians have been treated over the course of time. I ask you, therefore, is it a fair measure of fiscal capacity, as governed by equalization pay-out, that our friends in Manitoba

Finance committee  I think that's a question better put to the Conservative members from Saskatchewan. Let me say, generally, about the matter of the accord and the renegotiations that apparently are happening, I am supportive of my Atlantic colleagues seeking the best arrangements possible for t

Finance committee  This is the level of debate we have. Did we have input? You bet we had input, and we recommended precisely what I'm recommending to the finance committee, to the national government, and which I recommended to the former government of Canada. You bet we did. Did I have a debat

Finance committee  The commitment was made not in one, but in two election campaigns. The commitment was made in campaign literature distributed across our province and across the nation, in both elections. The commitment was made publicly, verbally, in campaign speeches. It was spoken to in the Ho

Finance committee  Indeed. And again, I say, there was no mention of a cap.

Finance committee  Is that the end?

Finance committee  We saw some of that money.

Finance committee  The first year of it is what we saw. Since you've opened the floor to discussing the $878 million, let us have the committee understand with precision what this $878 million is.

Finance committee  No, they're not, Mr. Ritz. I've come here to--