Mr. Speaker, my question is directed to the Minister of Finance. Instead of dealing with the real problem, the high level of government spending, and eliminating costly duplication, the government says it intends to cut $7.5 million from social programs, mainly by reducing unemployment insurance. Like its predecessor, this government is trying to get the deficit down at the expense of the unemployed and senior citizens.
Why is the minister putting the bite on the unemployed, although he criticized the previous government every time it reduced benefits under the unemployment insurance program? What has become of those high-sounding principles, Mr. Speaker?