Mr. Speaker, when it comes to directing money where it can best be used, I would like to get the member's opinion on one expenditure.
This year 45,000 civil servants can expect to be laid off, not rehired or what have you. Within the government there is the special measures initiative program through which the government will spend about $45 million specifically to target equity groups, aboriginals, visible minorities, women and people with disabilities, for hiring programs in the civil service.
It seems odd when we are laying off 45,00 civil servants and spending $45 million to initiate programs to hire more people. Is that money well spent?