Madam Speaker, what a perfect time to reply to several ridiculous statements on the part of the opposition.
When I hear cries of persecution from the Jurassic Park Reform Party, the shirt-rending Bloc Quebecois, or the NDP whited sepulchres, when they know full well that the government has to resolve the situation by March 31 so that the provinces will have the money with which to provide services, I find their egotistical grandstanding very hypocritical.
I am proud to be a member of this party and of this government. Bill C-65 is further evidence of the fact that we care about the public. We want all Canadians, wherever they live, to have access to services. To this end, we have put forward an equalization system that has proven itself year in year out since it was established, in 1957.
When I hear the Bloc Quebecois say—and they do talk a great deal of nonsense, acting persecuted and offended—“We are not getting our fair share”, it makes me feel proud of being not only a Liberal but a Liberal from Quebec because, once again, not only are we going to get our fair share but, with the improvements contained in this bill, Canadians will receive $242 million, 78% of this amount going to Quebec.
Do members want numbers? I feel in great shape. I lost my voice last week, but I got it back.
As we know, Quebec accounts for 24% of Canada's population. Yet, 29% of all equalization payments go to Quebec. That is nearly $1 billion, ladies and gentlemen from Quebec, and then the separatists complain that we are not getting our fair share. Canada is a generous country, so much so that Quebec is getting much more out of the system than it is putting in. This money is coming from all the provinces, and Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta in particular. When we tell the Bloc Quebecois members that, they get upset.
That is probably why the Bloc Quebecois is down to 38%, from 49%, in the polls today. Clearly, the Liberals are taking their responsibilities.
Instead of complaining, the hon. member for Drummond should be listening; it would do her good. In 1996 and 1997, Quebec companies received 39% of all federal government contracts and subsidies to industry for R & D. This is extraordinary. We represent 24% of the total population but Quebec universities received 28% of total subsidies. All the contracts and subsidies to the universities for R & D represent a fair amount.
Again on a regional basis, in science and technology we receive 26%. Truth will out. The separatists are moaning, the Reform Party bunch from Jurassic Park are moaning, while we get on with looking after the interests of the people. This is the first time I have heard dinosaurs speak. I did not realize they could.
The people of Quebec need to be reminded of what the equalization payment system is. It is a system of generosity. It is a system of equity. It is, above all, a system of protection.
Bill C-65 will, whether our separatist friends like it or not, give them an even larger piece of the pie. Not only a bigger piece of the pie, but the province that gets the biggest share among all those receiving equalization payments is Quebec, once again. This is a good reason to stay within the Canadian federation, since it has been demonstrated that not only does this system work, but it is generous to all, from sea to sea.
Once again, this seems not to please the hon. members for Drummond and Témiscamingue. I hear them weeping. The moaning and groaning heard in the background when the truth comes as a shock comes from the other side of the House.
Equalization is important in that it accounts for 10% of the entire budget of Quebec. This means that that we are giving close to $1 billion.
Do not forget that 24% of the population is receiving 29% of the transfer payments. What does all this money represent? Ten per cent of Quebec's budget. That means that, while Bouchard is busy with his little referendum and whines away about Quebec's separation, we are looking out for the people of Quebec, because we say “We are going to give you some money so you can have services”. So while the others rattle on about Quebec's independence, we are providing money to pay for and ensure access to services.
While the other side goes on about “constitutionalitis”, do you know what counts? What counts is that transfer payments are unconditional.
The federal government hands out nearly $10 billion in total. As I said earlier, Bill C-65 provides $242 million to Canadians, 78% of which will go to Quebec. While they go on about “constitutionalitis” on the other side, we recognize one thing: that this federation is showing once again, through its generosity, that we care about the entire population.
Finally, they say “We are stuck with a PQ government in Quebec City”. But one thing is sure: according to the latest polls, support for the people in this government, for the federal Liberals from Quebec, is now 49%—