Madam Speaker, I heard the member opposite say that this budget focused on Canadians in greatest need and that the prebudget consultations were extensive. He also mentioned that all Canadians will have access to post-secondary education. I really disagree with those statements.
I remember the prebudget hearings that were held in Vancouver, where I come from. I can say that the people at those hearings had serious and sharp disagreements with the priorities of the government.
The hon. member said that the budget has been brought forward without destroying the social safety net. I would suggest that the evidence shows that the social safety net has already been destroyed by the Liberal government and the billions of dollars that have been taken out of the transfers to provincial governments.
I want to ask one question on education. The member says that there will be access for all Canadians. We have heard that the millennium fund and the $2.5 billion that has been provided will assist only 7% of students in this country. That is certainly not access for all to post-secondary education.
The child tax benefit that the Liberals have made so much about has not been indexed for inflation. It will not begin until 1999. And it will amount to a measly 80 cents a day for poor kids in poor families.
I would ask the hon. member to explain to the people of Canada how he believes this budget is helping those who are most in need.