Mr. Speaker, in this National Volunteer Week, I am pleased to pay tribute to the 13 million devoted and dynamic men and women who have chosen to get involved in our society, particularly by helping those less fortunate.
However, it seems that the federal government has a whole other view of volunteer work. Whereas a brochure from the Department of Heritage highlights the importance of their action, the government has no qualms about drastically reducing assistance to volunteer agencies. Indeed, their budget is dropping from $1,066,000 in 1993-94 to $65,000 in 1995-96.
We, in the Bloc Quebecois, condemn this shameful decision. Not only did the federal government miss an opportunity to really support these groups, but it has also been indifferent to the have-nots in our society.