Madam Speaker, the hon. member opposite apologized twice. First, he admitted that the Liberals and the Conservatives were responsible for the national debt. I thank him for admitting that. Of course, everyone agrees that we must reduce the deficit.
The hon. member also referred to three sacred cows, but he forgot one. He forgot the multinationals. Again, everyone agrees that multinationals often enjoy tax shelters which are far too generous. The same goes for banks. It is a disgrace when banks hardly pay any taxes.
The cuts in transfers hurt the poor and the young. Our young people have almost lost all hope, since they basically have two options, particularly in rural areas: unemployment or income security. This situation hurts them a great deal. I wonder if we could provide more help to these young people.
The hon. member did not mention the cuts affecting the Eastern Quebec Development Plan. The plan had a budget of $6.5 million. That money will not be available next year. The provinces will have to pay. Our farmers will have to put up with a 15 per cent cut this year, and another one next year, which will amount to a 30 per cent reduction in their subsidies. Again, Quebec will have to pay.
I know that everyone must make sacrifices. People back home, and elsewhere, are prepared to make sacrifices. However, this does not mean that the poor have to make the biggest sacrifices. I ask the hon. member: How could his government provide a little help in rural areas and give some hope to people?