Thank you, Madam Chair.
Mr. Wright, knowing that only 33% of women have access to employment insurance, how do you think the head of a single-parent family of six children, as is the case of our colleague on the other side—but here I'm talking about children over six years of age—who is unemployed and has no affordable housing, can benefit from a cut to the goods and services tax? You apparently advised the minister to implement those measures because you thought that was a good idea, but how could those women benefit from that? In Canada, one million children are living in total misery, which means that at least 750,000 parents are also living in total misery. How do you think those people could benefit from the measures you suggest?
Ms. Éthier, parents in Quebec are preparing their income tax returns right now. At least the tradition is to do it before April 30. This year, since the $1,200 amount granted for each child under six years of age is granted on a monthly basis, it won't be too apparent: parents will only have received $600 since July. Their income tax returns shouldn't suffer too much as a result, but next year, once they've received $1,200 per child under six years of age, it won't be the same thing.
Contrary to what you say, this measure isn't harmonized with the Province of Quebec. In Quebec, the income these people report will increase and they will be taxed twice. Why wouldn't we opt for a refundable tax credit, which would really go into the pockets of the parents, among others of those who don't have any money, rather than for an amount that is taxable twice? If your role is to advise the minister on the best measures to take, I'd really like you to explain that to me.