Mr. Speaker, the few measures contained in the program, referring to a $100 million project, are for all of Canada.
I would like to draw the parliamentary secretary's attention to the real impact of the cuts and of the implementation of the new employment insurance program, as they are calling it, in our region. According to the figures given to the people in the Gaspé employment centres, according to indications in the Minister of Finance's budget, the cuts will reach $17 million in my region alone, the Gaspé Peninsula and the Islands. This is for HRD, Human Resources Development, alone.
As for the fisheries, the new Minister of Fisheries and Oceans is maintaining the increases in fishery charges. This represents a tax bite of some $50 million for the minister across Canada.
The rule of thumb is that Quebec's share of fish landings is about 10 per cent. This will be another $5 million taken out of the Gaspé and Magdalen Islands region, given our share of fish landings in Canada. So we are losing $17 million from human resources development, and $5 million from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, for a total of $22 million in the first year, starting onJuly 1st.
In return, what share will I get of the $100 million that he says will be spent throughout Canada? This is just one riding out of 295. It may well be the worst off of them all, but it still has to make a contribution. Could the parliamentary secretary ask the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans to slow the pace? Could he ask this minister to withdraw the bill, because it is another hard blow for us?
I have no choice but to demand the withdrawal of the bill. The hon. member's arguments did not convince me. I understand there is pressure from financial circles, but they do have a social responsibility. They cannot behave like private enterprise that just has to keep making profits. We have human lives to protect, we must get them up and running again. It is unfortunate, indeed, but I still want it withdrawn. However, I shall again be interested in debating with you, once you have withdrawn it.