Mr. Speaker, the answer to the second question is of course yes. This is really what all the provinces are asking.
An agreement was reached shortly before the 2000 general election, but it only re-established transfer payments to about 80% of what they were before. Given the stubbornness of the federal government, the provinces agreed, at the time, to at least recover that portion.
Since then, federal surpluses have increased, as have the provinces' problems, because of the increase in health costs due to the aging population, drugs and technologies. People live longer but, at the same time, they are likely to be sick over a longer period.
The term “illegal” may be a little strong, but during the war it was not illegal, since an agreement had been reached. Because of the war effort, the provinces had agreed to sort of lease the right to collect taxes in this area. Now, the federal government—and the hon. member for Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot demonstrated it very clearly—sees a possibility here, because of the increase which, some years, was of the order of 7%. Personal income tax has increased much more quickly than other types of taxes, including corporate tax, which has actually gone down, if we take into account the gross national product.
The federal government has developed a liking for personal tax, so much so that 60% of its revenue comes from taxes paid by Quebecers, compared to 40% for the Quebec government, even though cost increases are taking place in two critical areas, namely health and education.