Of course, in the short term, some people might not like this idea. But transferring money from the rest of Canada to the Atlantic has been going on for decades. And if we do nothing, it will likely continue for several more decades. Shouldn't we be thinking about solutions beyond the short term?

Last Saturday, at the debate in Halifax, other candidates accused me of abandoning Atlantic Canada. They said that my proposal to freeze the equalization budget until we review its funding and the way the money is being distributed is going to hurt the region economically.

Maxime Bernier makes a point as Andrew Scheer, left, looks on at the Conservative leadership candidates' debate, in Halifax on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2017. (Photo: Andrew Vaughan/CP)

The question we should be asking is: How can we create the best conditions for Atlantic Canadian entrepreneurs to create jobs and wealth? (Including in Newfoundland & Labrador, which hasn't received equalization money for some years because of revenues from offshore oil, but still has a weak economy and very high unemployment.)

Equalization should not be a permanent program to keep whole regions and provinces poorer than the rest of the country. Unfortunately, that's what it does.

Various studies have shown that it encourages the growth of the public sector in the recipient provinces, which bids away resources and workers from the private sector and weakens it. It encourages provincial governments to keep taxes high and to intervene more in their economies. They don't have as much incentive to make their economies more competitive because more private sector growth will lead to less equalization money.

Bigger governments, less competitive private businesses: That's the recipe for economic stagnation.

It's a shame that after 150 years, our country is still not a unified market.

Kevin O'Leary said last week that he would "force" provinces to adopt some policies that he favours, such as developing natural gas in Nova Scotia. And that he would be "very punitive" if they don't comply. This is a totally arrogant and reckless approach, one that will bring back constitutional quarrels between Ottawa and the provinces.

My approach is not to impose Ottawa's will on the provinces, but rather to reform the equalization program so that it provides the right incentives for economic development. I will respect the provinces and our Constitution.

A second very important change that needs to be made to help Atlantic Canada become more prosperous is to eliminate interprovincial trade and labour barriers. It's a shame that after 150 years, our country is still not a unified market.

If you are a consumer, you can pay a fine for crossing a provincial border with too many beers, as happened to Gérard Comeau in New Brunswick. If you are a worker, you may need a new licence, or see your qualifications not recognized, when you go to work in another province. And if you are an entrepreneur, you may need more permits, have to go through bureaucratic loopholes, or simply face a closed door, when you try to export to another province.

A Senate committee estimated that these barriers may cost our economy up to $130 billion a year. That's almost half the federal budget!