Mr. Speaker, in reply to the Bloc Quebecois member, the member for Témiscamingue, when I said the provinces could use the money as they saw fit, I was referring to an article by Claude Piché in La Presse on Saturday, October 4. It is well written, and I would like to quote from it. “The calculation of equalization is a complex matter. It is based on the fiscal capacity of each province. The idea is to ensure that all Canadians, from rich and poor provinces alike—that is what I am explaining—have access to public services of essentially equal quality. Equalization payments are therefore unconditional, that is the provinces may use them as they see fit. Equalization has not always been affected by cuts in federal transfer payments”.
One thing the member opposite has not spoken about today is job creation. He never mentions it. His riding of Témiscamingue benefits from what the federal government provides. It benefits from money from all Canadians in the CDIC and many companies—there are 40 companies in his sector—create jobs. I do not have a lot left, but this pamphlet from—