Mr. Speaker, after having the opportunity to read what the Reform Party really plans for Canada, I believe there are some serious questions Canadians must ask about their alternative budget.
What is the true impact going to be for Canadian seniors? At what income level will benefits start to be clawed back, $40,000, $30,000 or $20,000? How can Reform members talk about national standards on one hand while large cuts to equalization payments will restrict the ability of some provinces to deliver similar levels of service to their citizens?
How do those 86 per cent of Canadians with incomes below $20,000 who already do not make contributions to RRSPs find the resources to make sufficient contributions to cover unemployment insurance, retirement, post-secondary education and personal catastrophes? And will these resources be sufficient during tough economic times?
Canadians understand that tough problems do not always have simple solutions. I hope Canadians ask these and many other questions so that they can understand the impact these proposals may have on them, their families and the very essence of Canadian society.