Madam Speaker, it is often said that the Minister of Finance is a smooth talker, but his glib words are at our expense, and they will not pay the bills.
I have been listening to the members opposite all afternoon. They all agree that they have spent money. That is true—Human Resources Development Canada has been practically throwing it out the window, while the Government of Quebec has been investing it wisely.
After the federal government cut tens of billions of dollars in health, education, and social programs, the provinces unanimously demanded $4.5 billion a year. But all they are getting from the federal government is $2.5 billion over four years, which boils down to $600 million for Quebec—crumbs.