Mr. Speaker, a number of people are disappointed by this budget, regardless of what the hon. member of the Liberal party says.
This budget contains some slip-ups. There could have been a significant sum invested in the social transfer in order to alleviate the burden of the provinces and to be in a position to meet the needs of the population.
Earlier in his remarks, the member praised our health care system, saying that sensitivity to demands in that area was required.
I would like to quote him from an article in this morning's Le Soleil , in which Michel Vastel refers to health care expenditures. He writes:
—provincial health expenditures alone rose from $48 to $68 billion, or 4% annually...provincial social expenditures rising six or seven times faster than the federal contribution.
Where is the hon. member headed with this praise of his government, saying that it is investing $5.2 billion in response to provincial requirements in the areas of health, education and social security?
This morning, I heard what some welfare recipients had to say. Social housing was forgotten. There was an expectation of $1.6 billion yearly, for a total of $8 billion, but the figure ended up being a pitiful $57 million over four years. The hon. member better not try to tell me that this budget shows the government has its heart in the right place.
I wish to hear his reply to this.