And inadmissible. It is inadmissible that a government which, not so long ago, was complaining to the previous government that it was outrageous to attack the universality of social programs and to start cutting back such programs.
Members opposite have the gall to talk about-and I have been hearing the same thing over and over for a very long time-social justice and a fair contribution in looking for ways to better control public finances. The government claims to be concerned with poverty and unemployment and then turns around and attacks the victims of these two social evils to solve its own problems.
I cannot figure out what kind of social conscience these people have, but as soon as they have the reins of government in hand, they forget who they owe this to, and that is inadmissible.
These are not the only tax bites suffered by the taxpayers. Reneging on its election promises, the government has cut transfer payments to the provinces, payments which are used to support education and social assistance programs. It is taking away, stealing from the pockets of the provinces nearly $2 billion for fiscal years 1995-96 and 1996-97. That is what has come to be known as shifting one's deficit onto the shoulders of the provinces while sparing oneself the unpleasant task of confronting the voters with additional tax increases.