I agree with the NDP member, Mr. Speaker.
It is rather despicable to see the Minister of Finance and government members place their hands on their hearts and talk about the plight of children, given that they themselves are responsible for a situation which has gotten worse over the last three years.
It is not normal to make cuts based on a budget plan tabled by the finance minister in 1996, to slash, year after year on a cumulative basis, the budget for social programs by some $42 billion, and to think this will have no impact on child poverty. The government should give us some credit.
There is no doubt that the decisions made by this government have had an impact on child poverty and made parents poorer. Parents got poorer as a result of, among other things, the employment insurance program implemented in January, which consistently reduces benefits and which also excludes many adult workers from the labour force. These people have to rely on welfare.
So, do not try to appeal to our emotions. We are not going to be fooled by the finance minister's crocodile tears. It is not right to present things in that light. The minister should admit he made a mistake in his plan and he should at least put aside the budget cutting scheme developed in 1996.
There is not even any mention of this in the throne speech. The government says it will give back some money. Do you know what the government is doing? The Minister of Finance originally wanted to cut $48 billion. Now the new figure is $42 billion. The federal government will cut $42 billion from transfers for social assistance, post-secondary education and health.
It is despicable to present things as if the government was handing out goodies when in fact it is merely cutting somewhat less than anticipated in 1996, but with the same slash-and-burn approach. The minister should have the decency to rise, to tell the truth and to announce that he is immediately putting an end to his planned cuts for the next three years. This would be an effective way to fight poverty, particularly child poverty.