I imagine, Ms. Regehr, when you say that 5 million people live under the poverty line, that you are including children. So we are talking about 5 million people out of a population of 32 million. If this is true, this is a very high and scary figure.
I am the Bloc Québécois critic on homelessness. I travelled around Canada this summer to meet with the homeless. The homeless cost the health care system 40% more than stable people who have housing do. We believe that welfare recipients also cost the health care system more money since they have more trouble putting food on the table, finding housing, and so forth.
Do you know how much more money the state spends to support those 5 million individuals living under the poverty line and receiving welfare, and to provide them with health care?
I also want to ask Ms. DesBrisay a question.
I represent the riding of Brome—Missisquoi, where there is a minority anglophone community. Contrary to popular belief, minorities in Canada are not always francophones. Much of this minority lives in poverty. Illiteracy is also a major issue.
I personally know people involved in literacy work. Previously, funding for literacy came directly from the federal government. We are talking about an English-speaking minority in Quebec. Obviously, cuts in literacy funding are due to cuts to the GST. A group of people pay that GST, but another group of individuals is being subjected to the cuts. The same people, the poor, are always the ones being put in a difficult situation.
Did the government consult you before announcing those cuts?