Mr. Speaker, today the federal government monopolized a full page in Quebec's daily newspapers to announce that Quebec receives 31 per cent of federal transfers.
Of course, the federal government has skewed the facts by including transfers of tax points in its calculations. It also overlooks the fact that although Quebec represents 25 per cent of the population of Canada, it receives only 19 per cent of federal spending on goods and services, 18.5 per cent of federal spending on research and development, 17 per cent of federal capital spending, and so forth.
As a result of this shortfall in structural spending by the federal government, Quebec has to do without 55,000 jobs it would otherwise have.
As far as Ottawa is concerned, economic development is for Ontario and unemployment and welfare for Quebec. However, if cutbacks continue at their current rate, four years from now Ottawa will no longer finance Quebec's social programs.