Stéphane Dion

[Social Union Agreement, February 19th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, what we have just heard qualifies as a false allegation, as the Bloc knows full well.

But since members of the Bloc have decided to stoop that low and I have no intention of sinking to the same level, I would like to tell my colleagues from the other provinces that the pathetic show put on by the Bloc this past week has nothing to do with Quebec culture, which is one of trust and solidarity, not petty jealousy.

[Social Union Agreement, February 19th, 1999]

The answer is relatively simple, Mr. Speaker. As long as the Canada transfer was being reduced, it could not be restored to its previous level on an equal footing.

We had to wait for the transfer to grow, in conjunction with equalization, before we could do that. And all the provinces save Quebec have asked us to.

The Government of Quebec was the only one to disagree, even though it receives 34% of all federal transfer payments. It should be very pleased that the equalization portion of the transfer keeps growing since it comes with no strings attached.

[Equalization Payments, February 19th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, I have the figures here to show the hon. member the stability of equalization payments in recent years and those planned for the future. This is for Quebec only. In 1995-96, $4.2 billion; in 1996-97, $4.2 billion; in 1997-98, $4.8 billion; in 1998-99, $4.6 billion; in 1999-2000, $4.5 billion; in 2000-01, $4.7 billion; in 2001-02, $4.9 billion; in 2002-03, $5.1 billion; and in 2003-04, $5.4 billion.

It is very stable and it will increase.

[Equalization Payments, February 19th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, if we look at how things have gone in recent years, equalization payments have been stable or have increased. That is a fairly solid guarantee.

What must be said, and I repeat, is that if we add up the planned increased in equalization payments for the next five years, plus the unplanned increase in the past three years, plus the planned increase in the Canada social transfer, we arrive at the figure of $21.7 billion, of which $7.4 billion will go to Quebec. That is 34% of the new transfers.

Could I ask the Bloc Quebecois to acknowledge that?

[Social Union Agreement, February 19th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, there are three inaccuracies here. First, I just explained that this change, which was necessary, was discussed over a period of several years.

Second, Quebec is not adversely affected. Out of the $21.7 billion in transfers to the provinces, Quebec will get $7.4 billion or 34% of the total amount.

Third, there is no interference in health. The federal government is involved in research because it is also its responsibility, and Quebec researchers are very pleased about that. I could provide the hon. member with several quotes to that effect.

[Social Union Agreement, February 19th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member is mistaken. The eighth wonder of the world is the Quebec City bridge.

As for giving notice under the social agreement framework, we have been talking about that change not just for one year, but since 1990, when the ceiling was imposed on the three richest provinces, for two years only. At the time, the current premier of Quebec was a federal minister, so he should know.

I remind the hon. member that the first Campeau budget provided for equalizing the transfer in 1996. Therefore, we have been talking about this issue for a long time.

[Social Union Agreement, February 19th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, I do not know what change in position the member is referring to.

The meeting in Halifax went off very well. The following meeting did not go as smoothly. There were misunderstandings that were clarified and we now have a social union that will make it possible for the provinces and the Government of Canada to work together for the benefit of all Canadians.

[Social Union Agreement, February 19th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, during the social union negotiations, it was always agreed that we would talk about the social union and the ministers of finance would talk about the money angle.

In fact, on June 15, 1998, the finance ministers from all provinces except Quebec told the Government of Canada that they wanted to go back to equal social transfer payments, as long as equalization payments could be increased accordingly.

That is what the Minister of Finance announced a few days ago, the result being that Quebec will receive 34% of the overall transfer and Ontario only 25%. Ontario is therefore not necessarily the big winner.

[The Budget, February 17th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, I can tell the hon. member that the unexpected good news about the amount of the transfers, including equalization, came as a surprise to everyone and all Canadians should be pleased about this.

As for the trust itself, it will give the provinces greater independence and, so far, all the premiers have reacted very positively to this initiative. Let me say that, for my province in particular, the increase in transfers was totally unexpected. Quebec will be getting one third of the federal transfers.

This may come as a surprise, but it is definitely a very good one.

[The Budget, February 17th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, if the member wants to quote sources from Quebec, we will go along with that. One third of all funding for biomedical research from the Medical Research Council of Canada goes to Quebec. I do not think that yesterday's budget will come as bad news to researchers in Quebec, quite the contrary.