Mr. Speaker, I have a problem with a lot of things in this budget. I have a problem with the fact that the employment insurance fund is being used to give the richest members of society tax breaks instead of providing relief for the unemployed.
Those earning $250,000 get a $3,800 tax break, while the poorest members of our society, middle income earners in particular, who are helping the nation put its finances in order, get next to no tax relief. I have a problem with that.
I also have a problem with the fact that the provinces have isolated Quebec. I have a big problem with the fact that they sold out, Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta in particular, and signed the social union framework, kowtowing to the Prime Minister and agreeing to all sorts of interference in areas of jurisdiction recognized as provincial in the Constitution of Canada. I have a big problem with that.
Nor am I too happy about the fact that the Liberal Party members and ministers from Quebec did nothing to restore equity in transfer payments to Quebec and federal procurement of goods and services, or regional development policies, where Quebec has come out the loser in the last eight years. Every year, there is a $600 million shortfall, $2 billion in goods and services. And it is even worse with respect to research and development.
I am disgusted with the Liberal members from Quebec for not fighting to get Quebec compensated for harmonizing the GST with the QST. We are talking about $2 billion. They compensated the maritimes, with more patronage appointments, as they did elsewhere. Quebec is entitled to $2 billion in compensation for harmonizing the GST and the QST several years earlier. I have a problem with that.
I also have a problem with the fact that, just days after a first ministers meeting where it was agreed to increase health transfers only and to use the time-honoured formula, yesterday the funding formula was unilaterally changed to Quebec's disadvantage. I have a problem with that as well.
Does that answer the member's question?