Mr. Speaker, it is a source of dishonour for our society that, while our economy is in an excellent condition, poverty is increasing.
This contrast has a direct impact not only on people's physical and psychological health, but also on the chances for success in adult life of the child victims of this poverty.
Instead of putting an end to the considerable waste engendered by duplicating provincial programs, this government has taken advantage of the opportunity of the throne speech to infantilize the provinces and to make children the first victims of the increased federal visibility thus achieved.
Visibility is this government's middle name; it would rather make use of its spending power to gain visibility than to address the problems relating to poverty.
I beg this government to repair the damage it has done to social programs by giving funding back to the provinces and respecting their areas of jurisdiction.