Mr. Speaker, first of all, I would like to say to the hon. member that I did address these issues directly and that I am surprised by all the contradictory statements he made. On the one hand he says that we have to bring down the taxes and rates, and on the other hand he says that we should not touch the unemployment insurance system. We have done that. We have reduced the UI premiums. That will stimulate employment and help small business to create jobs. Our policy has had another major impact on workers. It has increased by $70 to $80 the income each worker can spend on goods and services for his or her family, which is also good for small businesses. That is not too bad. Workers now have more money in their pockets. At the same time, we provide stimulus for small businesses and for workers.
I am trying to tell the hon. member that his party is very confused. On the one hand members say not to touch UI. On the other hand they say to bring down the premiums. We have done that; we have brought down the premiums and the stimulus effect is there. However, to bring down the premiums we have to make sure that we can still pay for the deficit of the UI system which this year is $6 billion. We have to bring down the deficit of $6 billion. That is the reason we balance it out. In a way it ensures more benefits going to the poorest people, not less.
Unfortunately members opposite in their statements somehow forget the facts, which is too bad. I feel sorry they have this selective memory. It is not a good thing in a situation like this to be so selective in your memory. It gets you into trouble.
We have increased the benefits for the poorest in society. We have created a new linkage between work and benefits and we have given stimulus to private enterprise to create new jobs. It seems to me that is not so bad a proposition.