Madam Speaker, I would like to thank all the members who spoke on this motion. I honestly believe all contributions are important. I want to thank the Liberal member for Anjou—Rivière-des-Prairies, who seconded this motion.
I would like to pick up on a few points. The member for Hochelaga—Maisonneuve talked about the province of Quebec and mentioned 1994. It is true that, on September 18, 1994, the Premier of Quebec presented the major elements of the government's employment program. This program is aimed at reforming social security and creating a healthy fiscal environment.
He said:
Any contribution to the discussions is welcomed. It is only with everyone's participation that we will succeed in developing a system that is efficient, fair, flexible and affordable and that will meet the existing and future needs of Canadians.
According to the Quebec Commission of Inquiry on Health and Social Welfare, the first official proposal to provide an annual guaranteed income in Canada was made in 1971 by a provincial commission in Quebec, the Castonguay-Nepveu Commission, which proposed an income security program for that province.
Right now, Quebec is part of the Canadian family, that is very important, but I did appreciate what the hon. member said about pay equity. Pay equity is a much talked about issue in the public service. However, nobody talks about pay equity in a family setting, for those who raise children, the mothers who stay home to take care of the children. They too should get a pay cheque and pension for that work.
Pay equity for work done at home is the fight of every Canadian woman and many Canadian parents today. It is a fundamental right. That is my position. We must find a way to help families. Giving more money to the poor will contribute to the eradication of poverty.
In my documentation I read something on Newfoundland income supplement program that was set up in 1993. I quote:
The commission believes that an aggregate guaranteed annual income, however modest, with an income supplement program based on an earnings test can be financed through savings made in our EI program and the replacement of the provincial welfare system, without any new taxes or increased deficit.
Finally, I want to remind the House that we seem willing to grant tax breaks to hockey teams, to all of the Canadian hockey teams and hockey players who are earnings millions of dollars.
Clémence Côté, from Val d'Or, always told me that there is a serious deficiency in the Canadian tax legislation, because it penalizes families with children, in the sense that the Government of Canada does not take into account the number of children a family has.
In conclusion, I think we need to set up, on an experimental basis, a Canadian annual basic income program. This is the only way to assess how a guaranteed income program can help to eradicate poverty.
I have listened to all the members who took part in this debate. The time has come for a new solution, for a commission of inquiry on poverty and the family. As Réal Caouette used to say all the time “A guaranteed annual income would help families out”.