Mr. Speaker, the hon. member has referred to this government taking control of Canada's finances again and the importance of that happening. I applaud him for recognizing that.
When we look at the Liberal budget and examine where the biggest change in transfer payments has taken place, has there been an increase in transfers to provinces? No. There has been a reduction of at least $4.5 billion in transfers to provinces. Has there been an increase in transfers to individuals? No. In fact the biggest threat of this Liberal budget is in transfers to individuals through social programs. These programs are not sustainable because there has been no definite target for elimination of the deficit.
The largest change in transfers of government money in this budget is in fact in transfers of money to bankers. When this member talks about Canada regaining control of finances, how can that possibly be happening when this budget in fact involves an increase in transfers of $12 billion to bankers, some of which are foreign bankers. More and more are foreign bankers.
I would like the hon. member, who happens to be on the social programs committee, to explain to me how this budget fits in with his stated goal of Canada taking control of its finances. Being on the social programs committee, can this member explain how social programs will be funded down the road when $12 billion more will be spent on interest payments within two years, and then ever increasingly more beyond the two years?