Mr. Speaker, I listened to the member for Gatineau-La Lièvre. He made a nice speech, but forgot to mention that the Liberals were in office for a long time and that the deficit started growing back then.
I am somewhat sceptical when I hear that restoring confidence in the economy will result in the money markets lowering interest rates which, in turn, will stimulate job creation. I am from the Gaspé Peninsula and I can tell you that fringe areas need catalysts. Unfortunately, that budget does not include any job creating initiatives. There is no catalyst to help people improve their lot.
The government's proposed approach, which is to let the private sector act freely, presupposes that it expects the private sector to create jobs for people with low levels of education. However, these jobs will not be well-paid. I would like to know how the regions will be mobilized. All the nice rhetoric heard in this House is fine, but the regions expect positive measures and guidelines. Instead of that, the government is cutting the financial support available through the Federal Office of Regional Development. Where is the support? Instead of providing support, the government is withdrawing it.