However, I noticed, for example, that in the fight against the deficit—and I would ask the hon. member for Bourassa, who is applauding, to do so in public as well, so everyone will know that he thinks my comments make perfect sense.
As regards the fight against the deficit, do you know who paid the price? By December 31, 1997, a surplus of $13 billion will have been taken from the employment insurance fund. Who paid the price for that? The government slashed $42 billion from transfer payments for health and education. That is how the federal government achieved the results it brags about in its fight against the deficit.
In 1993, in case the hon. member has forgotten, the Liberals ran on a slogan of “jobs, jobs, jobs”. As far as I know, we still have 1.5 million Canadians unemployed.
If we look at what is right and what is wrong with Canada, we realize there are still big changes that need to be made. The fact that jobs are being created for those with diplomas and relevant training and those who are part of the new economy should not obscure the fact that whole generations are being sacrificed. This does not mean that a Canada barely out of its 19th century mentality does not have what it takes to face the challenges of the 21st century.
In the 19th century, big political entities were needed to ensure big markets. Free trade has changed all that. What we need today is small nations that can stand up for themselves, prosper and compete on global markets. Canada's current structure cannot fill Quebecers' needs for the future.
Basically, I think that the Liberal Party of Canada is in a dead end, because, at the same time, it believes—