Mr. Speaker, I suspect the minister does not read the same newspapers we do. This budget cannot be described as taking a number of realities into consideration, particularly with the manoeuvrability left to the government after the many cuts that have been made.
The minister is responsible for the status of women. The $850 million in child tax benefits are far too little. Moreover, a number of groups, Campaign 2000 for one, are calling for $2 billion to be invested immediately, not two years from now. What this budget indicates is that a step in this direction will be taken next year or in two years. There is therefore no short term strategy in place to help children, among others.
In my opinion, this budget does not take into consideration the overlaps in Quebec. As we saw in this morning's newspapers, students are calling for compensation to adapt a program to the reality of Quebec. The true problems of students are not being addressed.
We also know that the pickings were pretty slim where the status of women was concerned—