Mr. Speaker, at the very moment the Minister of Human Resources Development was confirming his reform would follow its course, thousands of students, workers and individuals from social groups in Quebec were vigorously demonstrating, despite the perishing cold, their opposition to his reform of social programs. With one voice, they told the minister they had had enough cuts in social programs and they would not let young people be the main victims of the battle with the federal deficit.
They denounced the minister's double talk about wanting to provide Canadians with training and education, while raising educational costs, thereby limiting access to higher education.
The students warned the federal government, finally, that, by always cutting in the same spot and by always targeting the same people, it was confirming the belief widely held among ordinary people that there is no tax equity in Canada.