That's an excellent question.
I think it's false to say that social programs in central Canada are funded by other provinces. I think it would be important to recognize that Quebec's social programs—which are somewhat more generous—are certainly funded, as is the case in other provinces, through federal transfers, but also through higher taxes. So those are collective choices. I support this demonstration, which was done by some of my colleagues. Most of the different collective choices made in Quebec in terms of expenditures are funded through different choices made in terms of taxation.
In a federation that respects itself and operates properly—and that is the case not only here but also in other countries—equalization programs are in place to help any entities that are struggling, as is currently the case in central Canada. I want to emphasize that. This is a problem in Quebec, but it also increasingly applies to Ontario. This raises questions about equalization, which has become something of a zero sum game between Quebec and Ontario and, of course, some of the eastern provinces, as well.