Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the past year has been difficult. It has been difficult for the people in our constituencies who are coping with reductions to their schools, to their healthcare and to municipal services. It has been difficult for the staff who deliver the programs. Having to deal with new demands and increased workloads and changes to the way we do business, not to mention the layoffs.

It has been difficult for our non-profit organizations. In the past if an organization came up with a good idea for a program or service, the government was often able to help with funding. Now groups have to figure out how to manage with the resources they have or with less. It has been difficult for the small businesses in our communities. Small businesses are the heart and soul of our economy. As government cuts back there is a ripple effect throughout the community. People have less money to spend and less sense of security so they are more cautious with their spending, they sit on their wallets. Small businesses are hurt by this.

Mr. Speaker, it has also been difficult for the Members of this House. We have made decisions which we know will be hard on people. Unlike the south, most of us know everyone in our ridings. When we look at reductions we know who it will affect. When we agreed to tackle the deficit, we said we would ensure fairness and equity in the reductions. We agreed that everyone would have to take their share of the hardship and that all reductions would not be on the back of one group or one community. Clearly, disparities exist among major centres as a result of this year's budget and cuts. As we start in the next year's business plans, it is critical that these disparities be addressed if we are to move ahead.

Mr. Speaker, as we consider the budget for next year, we need to make sure that we are being fair and equitable to everyone. We also need to make sure we think through all the implications of each decision, not just what it does on the surface, but the ripple effect of that decision. We have one year under our belts, and I think we are all the wiser for it, and probably in a lot of cases sadder, but wiser.

Mr. Speaker, we know it will be increasingly difficult to stick to our plan. However, we need to remember the light at the end of the tunnel. If we can stay on course for one more year, we will balance the budget. The toughest decisions in this area will be the hardest. Thank you.

---Applause