Mr. Speaker, when we talk about the social transfer it includes the provinces and the territories. I may not in my speech have mentioned particularly the word territories. For that I apologize, but I believe if the member checks the law she will see that it includes transfers to all provinces and the territories.
Notwithstanding, we had to cut back in the transfers to the provinces when we had to make our difficult decisions almost four years ago. On the first occasion the government has had after having addressed the serious problem of deficit we have taken $1.5 billion and put it into our first priority as a government, that is helping the provinces cope with education and health.
In this case not only will the provinces benefit through five years of stable funding but the territories will also. I hope the member realizes that. I understand the high unemployment rate in her native region but right now the bill that we are addressing is for social transfers. It give them stable funding for five years, as I mentioned. This is very important for provinces and territories that in the past were reliant upon the mercy of the federal government, not knowing that the funding would come some time within a year or so and having to establish their priorities.
The stable funding for five years reassures the provinces and the territories that they have recourse to this funding for five years to come.