Mr. Speaker, yesterday the Prime Minister explained to the media his concept of federalism, a very unusual concept that is quite at odds with last year's speech from the throne.
He told us that, if the federal government spends its time invading provincial areas of jurisdiction, it is for their own good. The Canadian government, he said, has always helped set up new initiatives. It helps the provinces prepare programs, and then it withdraws. The Prime Minister even added, and I quote: "We negotiate with standards. Sometimes, we move ahead, then there are adjustments, but social progress must be achieved". This is a fine example of paternalistic federalism.
I ask the Minister of Finance whether he realizes that the budget he has brought down reflects the policy denounced by the provinces that allows the federal government to interfere in areas of provincial jurisdiction. The federal government contributes a bit of money, it sets national standards, imposes its priorities, forces the provinces to comply and then withdraws, leaving the provinces with responsibility for coming up with the money to finance its big projects and the unpleasant task of making cuts.
Is this the Minister of Finance's new federalism?