Mr. Speaker, there can be no doubt that the 1990s were difficult for all Canadians, including those already living in poverty.
As a result of specific interventions made by the government, in partnership with the provinces and territories, we are, since 1996, seeing a decline in child poverty. Just two weeks ago, along with my colleagues, the provincial social services ministers, we presented the national children's benefit report. In it, the hon. member will see that child poverty has been reduced from 20.5% in 1996 to 17.2% in 1999.
He will see that the estimated 1.2 million families and about 2.1 million children saw an increase in their incomes. There--