Smooch!

MR. T. MARSHALL: When I went around in pre-Budget consultations, I think this year what I heard more from people than anything else was, eliminate that tax on insurance premiums, eliminate the 15 per cent on insurance premiums - and the Williams’ government listened.

MR. MARSHALL: When we became the government, the rebate, the HST rebate, was $100, the same as it is in New Brunswick today. It was $100 and it went to about 11,000 people. Today, we are giving that rebate, under the Williams’ government, to 75,000 people, and the rebate amount is not $100 dollars like it was then and like it is in New Brunswick today.

MR. KELLY: As the minister said, we need taxes. We need taxes for programs, we need taxes to support health care. The health care budget in this Province, as we all know, is somewhere in the area of $2 billion. We need revenue to support education. The education budget in this Province is approaching $1 billion. These are two of the most significant expenses that this government has, and to do that it needs revenue.

A famous philosopher, John Shed, said that a ship in a harbour is safe, but that is not what ships are built for. In this Province, I am so very proud of the captain of our ship, the Premier, and his crew, and the job that they are doing at this time in our history —

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. KELLY: — the most significant job, I think, that I have seen in my lifetime, in terms of programs and making changes for the benefit of every Newfoundlander and Labradorian; no doubt about it. We have a lot to be proud of. This ship, under this captain, is doing an admirable job. This ship is not stuck in the harbour. This ship is on course. This ship recognizes that there is a future ahead of us and there are things to be done.

MR. KELLY: I am grateful as an MHA, and I am so proud to be a part of the Danny Williams team. There has never been a better captain of a ship in this Province, as I said earlier.