Mr. Speaker, this does go slightly beyond the scope of the bill per se, but connections can still be made. The Bloc Quebecois has put forward a five point proposal regarding the upcoming budget, which reflect part of what the hon. member just said.
For instance, we suggested that employment insurance premiums be significantly reduced. There is a very large gap between the current rate of $2.70 per $100 of insurable earnings and the $2 rate that would ensure the plan's self-sufficiency while turning acceptable surpluses. There is this 70 cents gap.
We think that one half of this amount could be used to improve the quality of life of those who find themselves without work, and the other half to reduce EI premiums substantially, which would have an effect on job creation. I think that would be a significant and appropriate measure.
A similar philosophy applies to the budget. At any rate, I do hope that what we are hearing about it is not what we will find in it. The federal government's approach is somewhat short on originality. For the time being, all we are hearing, regarding the upcoming budget, is about the government's plans to invest money in the area of education by sending cheques with the Canadians flag on them to ensure visibility, when it has been known for quite some time that, in Quebec in particular, we look after the whole financial assistance program ourselves and what is needed is for money to be given back to the provinces so that they can fund their programs.
Regarding employment, the private sector had made a significant contribution these past few years. But in the public sector, at least in Quebec, for every $1 in cuts to health and education made since 1994, 75 cents had to be cut because of cuts made by the federal government. That is why the Bloc Quebecois believes that, among other major job creation measures, giving their money back to the provinces that contributed to the deficit reduction effort would enable them to maintain quality services and ensure a sufficient level of employment in the public sector to meet demands.
I will conclude on this. I think that there are indeed innovative approaches that could be put forward. We cannot find any such approach in the bill on small business loans but hope that the government will wake up in the weeks to come.