Mr. Speaker, I add my voice to that of the hon. member of the New Democratic Party in denouncing the Liberal government's lack of will to eradicate poverty across Canada, and in Quebec in particular.
We know that the new Canada social transfer formula, which penalizes Quebec in particular in terms of health care, is a historic achievement. To rely exclusively on a per capita formula without taking the needs of the population into account really hurts.
We keep hearing that Quebec is getting more in equalization payments, but we know what that means. It means more people on welfare. In turn, this means more people who may need adequate health care and better access to health care.
Meanwhile, the rich provinces, the provinces whose economy is vibrant and where people can better support themselves and have access to quality services, are favoured. That is what hurts when we say that this government is not addressing the poverty issue in Canada.
Neither is there any provision to increase EI benefits in high unemployment regions, especially in Quebec.
There is nothing on social housing. We know how much the federal government likes to negotiate third-rate agreements with Quebec.
I therefore add my voice to that of the member of the New Democratic Party in denouncing the government's lack of will to eradicate poverty across Canada. They can give us equalization all they want, that is not what we need. We could use more in terms of investments in the procurement of government services in Quebec, which could result in job creation. That is the kind of measure we need.
I would like my colleague from the New Democratic Party to elaborate on that.