Mr. Speaker, I listened carefully to what my hon. colleague had to say, and I really had the feeling he was from another planet.
Let me give you some figures: in 1995, the total poverty rate reached 17.4%. The number of Canadians living in poverty had increased to over 5 million. The poverty rate for Canadian families was at 14%, or more than 1 million families. The poverty rate for single Canadians was 36%. The poverty rate for single mothers under 65, with children under 18, was 57%.
My hon. colleague just told us that his riding was heaven on earth. Good for him, but he should come to my riding of Matapédia—Matane and listen to what my constituents have to say.
I would like to ask him a question. What would he say to my constituents?