Once again, Mr. Chairman, Mr. Crête has summed up the situation very well. It is for these reasons that I was so optimistic that the Liberals would rediscover the use of their hands and vote with us on this subject. It was in fact the Liberals who proved the Conservatives' mismanagement of the expenditure of these funds. Let us remember that within last year's budget, 96% of the money was never spent because there was so much bureaucratic red tape and incompetence on the part of the government. We will see that a little later on today. We'll come to that.
Some people have had the gall to suggest that the fact that they are protecting the environment is what is holding up these projects. It is outrageous to make such an unsubstantiated statement. On the other hand, while they are at it, in order to further their extreme right-wing agenda which is against the rights of women, unions and social rights and the environment, the government is benefiting from the economic crisis. We can never be certain what the Liberals will do in such a situation. Allow me to remind our Conservative colleagues of this: the infamous $326 million that the Liberals, out of obstinacy, refused to pay out to Quebec that has finally been transferred. And by whom, do you think? By the current Conservative government. If the Liberals could not see the wisdom in this money being spent, who knows what they think? There may be enough thoughtful Conservatives who understand that it is in the interest of the economy. They're always droning on about how stimulating the economy is in everyone's interest. If they truly wish for these funds to be spent and allocated to good projects, they really should vote with us.
As for the Liberals, it must be said that one can never really count on them, Mr. Chairman.