I think the only thing that is going to change them is the armed approach, Mr. Chairman.
---Laughter Mr. Chairman, the last effort that we made was a little different. It was done on the basis of disposable income, I think, and we diligently used all the methods that were acceptable to the federal bureau of statistics and worked the thing out versus, I think Halifax, Nova Scotia, was the point that we used to compare to. We did these numerous calculations and papers and sent them into the department. By the way, it was St. John's, Newfoundland. I am reminded. We have yet to receive a response from the department, Mr. Chairman.
The enemy is not the politicians, because, very recently, in the last eight months, a federal Minister was heard to comment that they were glad that somebody understood the formula financing agreement because they certainly didn't. That is the difficulty that Mr. Ballantyne had. It is the difficulty that I have right now. I understand the formula financing agreement to the point where I am dangerous. That means that I don't understand all of it, Mr. Chairman. I am not saying I do, but I am pretty dangerous with it. When I sit down with other politicians to discuss this, I find myself having to talk to the bureaucrats who are eventually going to advise their Minister.
If we could get a simpler agreement, one that politicians could understand, then I would probably have more luck at making the pitch. I can make it to the politicians and they tell me at the meeting, I understand and it sounds silly to have a perversity factor. Gee, that is no good at all. Yet, the next letter comes back and they have been advised by their officials that perversity is something that is in the agreement for a very good reason.
If you want my honest opinion on what is going to change this thing, a politician in the federal government who says, to heck with convention. I understand your problems. I'm willing to work with you. We'll change it with the stroke of his or her pen. That is the message that we are now taking. I have given up on the bureaucracy. I think Cabinet agrees that this has got to be dealt with at the political table. We'll keep hammering away until there is a politician with that kind of nerve who says, to heck with convention. I understand your problem, and here is the deal. Get on with life. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.