I am very pleased to take part in this discussion today.
A lot of people are saying that our government should do more to stimulate the economy. People are talking about economic stimulus and how money will be spent to benefit specific lucky groups, including all of us and our children. However, they are the ones who will have to pay back the cost of the stimulus package. As you know, the Government of Canada is taking on debt to stimulate the economy. We are doing this by using a balanced approach which takes into account the short-term need to stimulate the economy, that is, to help groups in need, and the long-term impact this debt will have on all of society. The long-term impact will translate into additional taxes which all Canadians might have to pay in the future.
Mr. Roy, I was pleased to hear you say that our plan will create an additional 850 social housing units in Canada. As you know, social housing is a shared jurisdiction between the federal government and the provinces. So the budget includes money for social housing, but we cannot forget that the federal government has done much for Quebec since it was elected. Federal transfers to Quebec increased by over 37%. In 2009-2010 alone, Quebec will receive $17 billion from the federal government. Since our election, equalization programs transfers have increased by 70%. This year alone, that represents $8.3 billion. It is an area of shared jurisdiction. We have done our part, and the provinces are free to choose whether to also invest in social housing.
My question is for Mr. Roy.
You said a little earlier that the Canadian debt should be increased by $2 billion to help solve the social housing problem in Canada. Did I understand you correctly?