Thank you, Madam Chair.
My question is for Ms. Young.
You talked a little earlier about the federal government and provincial jurisdiction. I will give you my opinion on this. I represent a Quebec riding. In Quebec, we have been very progressive with our social policies and tax measures. Over the past few years, the federal government has been encroaching more and more on areas of provincial jurisdiction. The result has been a duplication of effort and economic difficulties for the provinces, which lack the resources they need. Because of their jurisdictional responsibilities, provincial governments are closer to people's concerns.
I think that instead of duplicating provincial action and interfering in their jurisdiction, the government should restore the transfers that the provinces were entitled to and received between 1990 and 1994. Those transfers provided support for health, education and social programs. The federal government cut back on those envelopes, its surpluses have been accumulating, and the provinces are hamstrung in their ability to provide services to their citizens. I do not see that as a power struggle, but the federal government does have control that limits the provinces' ability to meet needs and offer the services expected by the people they represent.