Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Finance.
If the federal government can prove it has the deficit under control, it is because it is reducing it mostly on the backs of UI contributors by accumulating a surplus of at least $5 billion a year through payroll taxes, which, as we know, are paid mainly by workers and discourage job creation.
Will the minister admit that, by asking lower and middle income workers, the unemployed and businesses-especially small businesses-to build up this surplus and pay for the deficit, he is dangerously and unfairly taxing employment?