Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Finance, with the complicity of the Minister of Human Resources Development, took advantage of a day the House of Commons was not sitting, this past Friday, to announce that he would be continuing to dip into the employment insurance fund with both hands, despite the fact that the government does not pay one cent into it.
With their boast that they are cutting EI contributions by 5 cents in 2002, these Liberal bullies are disguising the sad reality. What these master illusionists are not saying, and what must be said, is this:
New workers, who have accumulated only 900 hours at an hourly rate of $10, will be lining the pockets of the Minister of Finance with $198 instead of $202.50, yet will still not be entitled to EI benefits. Real generosity, that.
This is a very telling comment on the empty words of compassion this five cent minister spouts on the world stage, a man who is more concerned about becoming the next Prime Minister than with social justice and equity.
The minister has just shown his true colours.