The tax cuts were indeed announced by the government, but there were also significant investments in the social area. For example, there was a $39 billion increase in transfers to the provinces, which are the primary deliverers of social services and health services. This was prior to the significant tax cuts of the economic statement. There were also significant investments in aboriginal priorities—investments for post-secondary education—announced in the budget. All these investments were announced at the same time, shortly before or after the significant tax cuts.
Will the tax cuts reduce the ability to make investments? Possibly, in the future. But so far the evidence shows that the government has the means to invest in the social areas where Canadians need to be supported. For example, the budget announced an extension of the targeted initiative for older workers, which was scheduled to sunset at the end of March 2009. But the budget delivered in February 2008 announced its extension until March 2012. So there are significant investments to help those who need government support.