Mr. Speaker, it should be made very clear lest the Reform Party members are trying to convey another impression, that their budget would deal a devastating blow to the working poor.
The Reform Party would cut welfare. Reform members have said themselves that they would cut welfare substantially. They have said that they would cut equalization payments. Does that mean that the working poor in Atlantic Canada, Saskatchewan and Manitoba are not entitled to a fair shake? They would cut health care upon which the working poor are so dependent.
What we have essentially said is that we will provide directed programs to help the working poor. As the Minister of Human Resources Development has said, in the last budget we doubled the working income supplement from $500 to $1,000. That is money in their hands which is what the working poor require.