Mr. Speaker, those who speak on behalf of and know the problems faced by the less well off in Canada today pointed out the complete about face of the Liberal government on social programs and health care.
Seven billion dollars less in the two years 1996-97 and 1997-98 is deeper than stated in the budget and will mean severe cuts in health care, post-secondary education and social programs across Canada. With federal government spending declining soon the federal government will have no power to ensure accessibility to health care, post-secondary education and social programs to all. It is the end of medicare and, with the end of CAP, provinces will not have to have social programs at all.
Canadians did not vote for this. The Liberals did not campaign on the total dismantling of Canada's social safety net and Canadians do not want to see the continuing Americanization of our society, whether it be carried out by Conservatives or by Liberals.
Newt Gingrich's Canadian fellow travellers Ralph Klein, the leader of the Reform Party and now the Prime Minister are turning back the clock to the thirties. Canadians need a government that works for Canadians and they deserve to have a government which keeps its promises. We used to say-