Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we eagerly await the Finance Minister's presentation of the budget this week, and I know the public does as well, but we've been told, I think quite clearly, not to expect any surprises and not to expect any quick-fix solutions. We know, Mr. Speaker, that we're struggling with a widening gap between our expenditures and revenues, and it's certainly going to take a better deal from the federal government if we hope to turn this tide.
Mr. Speaker, I think that these are the facts and I don't believe they're in dispute. However, there has been quite a bit of discussion recently about whether or not if indeed the Prime Minister gets it or not. Does the Prime Minister understand our unique challenges, Mr. Speaker? I can't be sure, but I'm certain he does get this, Mr. Speaker, he gets the sad fact that we only have one MP. So let's not sell the man short. I don't think that one could stay at the top for that long without recognizing the political realities of the game.
How do we make a compelling argument for change? The answer, I think, at least part of it, Mr. Speaker, is to start to build alliances and start to build partnerships. I think that that's something that indeed our Premier and the other Premiers of the territories have begun this week on our behalf. It's good to see.
As well, Mr. Speaker, we know the business coalition, a group of business leaders here locally, have begun to seek that out by reaching out to their Alberta business colleagues and have realized that the message in Ottawa has been falling on deaf ears and they recognize that it's time for another approach. So I hope we've begun the course that will lead to some fruitful results, Mr. Speaker, and I would like to congratulate as well as my colleagues, our Premier and the Premiers of the other territories for their hard work this week. Thank you.
---Applause