Mr. Speaker, I will be sharing my time with the member for Terrebonne--Blainville.
In rereading the motion, I think that we will be able to understand clearly the impact of the statement and we will be able to conclude that it is not without foundation. On the contrary, it is very serious, worrisome and urgent.
The motion reads as follows:
That this House acknowledge the existence of a fiscal imbalance jeopardizing the continued quality of social programs, such as health care and education, in Quebec and in the other provinces.
We acknowledge that this imbalance is real and that it will not go away of its own accord. On the contrary, it will keep on growing. In fact, what is real is that there is a consensus as to the existence of this fiscal imbalance.
The polls clearly show that 64% of Canadians—these are not just sovereignists—and 74% of Quebecers acknowledge that there is a blatant fiscal inequality between the federal government, Quebec and the provinces, and all are critical of it.
We can obviously conclude that those surveyed included ardent Liberals. So I have trouble understanding why the Liberal MPs duly elected to represent them are still refusing to do so. I wonder about the real intentions of parliamentarians who refuse to acknowledge such a clear consensus and denounce the unacceptable actions of their government.
The opinion of Quebecers and Canadians is clear: the money in Ottawa's coffers should be redirected towards Quebec and the provinces in order to ensure the continuity of social programs. We will be able to restore balance between the amounts of money lying idle in Ottawa and the health and education needs of Quebec and the provinces. This is what 72% of Canadians and 74% of Quebecers are calling for and the federal government is doing nothing. In fact, it shows no intention of doing this, which is a major concern. What are the elected representatives of all these people doing? What sort of representation are they providing their constituents?
How can there be such a great divide between the federal and provincial Liberals. On the one hand, all political parties in Quebec, including the Liberal party, are critical of the fiscal imbalance created by the mismanagement of the federal Liberal government and, on the other, this same party completely refuses to acknowledge it. I cannot understand how there can be such a difference in opinion between the federal and the Quebec wings of the Liberal Party.
There is also unanimity among the premiers and the finance ministers of Quebec and the other provinces. They have spoken repeatedly about the crisis, but Ottawa has been slow to respond. Again, I cannot understand how so many premiers, finance ministers and citizens can be wrong, while only the federal government is right.
It might be appropriate to review the origins of the fiscal imbalance so that we can understand its scope and direction. First, we have to realize there is a marked difference between spending and the accessibility of funding and sources of revenue, for each level of government. Second, transfer payments to Quebec and the provinces are clearly insufficient. Finally, the intrusion into Quebec and the provinces' constitutional jurisdictions through the federal government's spending power is another source of this fiscal imbalance, which is penalizing us.
There are also other facts that magnify the imbalance between Ottawa and Quebec and the provinces. It has to be pointed out that, on the one hand, federal government revenues are steadily increasing while its expenditures are stable and its debt service is diminishing, and on the other hand, Quebec and the provinces' expenditures are steadily increasing, as well as their debt service.
That is how the federal government managed to find significant budget flexibility. Thoee are the causes of the fiscal imbalance.
Now, it would be appropriate to look at what the impacts will be. Because of the scope of the fiscal imbalance, the wheels of the Quebec government are affected in terms of the delivery of services in health and education.
The federal Liberal government is not doing anything to correct this situation, which as been persisting and which is deteriorating.
Based on this, it is obvious that Quebec must have real budget independence. To totally reject this independence means is tantamount to not giving due consideration to Quebecers in decisions that concern them. This is unacceptable. To act in this fashion results in the inappropriate development of public policies.
In spite of the jurisdictions that they enjoy under the Constitution, Quebec and the other provinces are often forced to act in compliance with the requirements of the federal government, even in their own jurisdictions. Why? Because Ottawa pulls the purse strings.
As I just pointed out, there are situations where federal requirements do not reflect Quebec's priorities. Since the Constitution gives exclusive jurisdictions to Quebec and the provinces, it is urgent that related resources be also given to the entities that are responsible for the fair distribution of these resources, namely Quebec and the provinces. Otherwise, it becomes impossible to do justice to the public because of a lack of resources.
So, because of the federal government's miserliness, the public is penalized regarding priority services such as health, education and income security. What is the federal government's response? Is the Liberal federal government receptive to people's needs? Is the Liberal federal government even listening to the public, to its voters? I doubt it. This government completely rejects the public's wishes, as shown in the polls.
The commission that reviewed Quebec's fiscal imbalance tabled its report on March 7, the Séguin report. As members know, Mr. Séguin is definitely not a sovereignist. He worked for federalism and he is able to look at the Constitution in a consistent manner. It is not being respected. There is a fiscal imbalance. The report is supported by figures. I am asking all members of this House to read this report, even if they come from western, central or eastern Canada. Read the report. Each member of parliament, in his or her province, has the same problem.
This report addresses four sectors of recommendations. First it recommends restoration of fiscal balance. This is to be done by increasing the funds available to Quebec and the provinces by at least $8 billion. Note that this is an annual figure. For Quebec, this represents $2 billion in the medium term and $3 billion in the long term.
Second, equalization payments must be improved, taking into account the fiscal capacity of Quebec and the provinces, rather than that of five provinces as is the case at present. This would, among other things, require elimination of the existing ceiling and floor provisions, as well as being reality based.
Third, it would be essential to restrict the federal government's spending power. To that end, Quebec would be justified to exercise its unconditional right to opt out with full financial compensation in respect of any federal program which, by its power of expenditure, encroaches on areas of Quebec and provincial jurisdiction.
Finally, the Séguin report recommends the prevention of any potential future imbalance. It is recommended that there be a transparent process as far as the relationship between Quebec and Ottawa is concerned.
We have the facts before us and the proof is on the table. How can the federal government deny them? Fiscal imbalance exists today and will only continue to grow if nothing is done, so something must be done right now. Health and education cannot wait since our young people are the ones who will bear the brunt of this.
The position of the national assembly is clear, as is that of the provincial first ministers. It is now up to the federal government. It is high time for the federal Liberal MPs to act like true representatives of the people of Quebec and to finally respect the parliamentary process.
It must be kept in mind that we were elected to represent our fellow citizens.
We are answerable to them. That is why the Bloc Quebecois will continue to speak out against the unacceptable actions of the Liberal federal government, this government which is mocking the people of Quebec. The Bloc Quebecois will then show that it is the one and only party providing responsible representation of the people of Quebec in Ottawa.