Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to ask a question of the NDP leader. Our colleague from Prince Edward Island told us that federal transfers to the provinces are not solely the federal government's responsibility. However, what is the federal government's responsibility? What responsibility does it have?
I give you an example. Currently, New Brunswick holds a record in the sense that 111,000 people out of a total population of 720,000 live below the poverty line. In the meantime, the federal government has surpluses totalling $9 billion and, every year, steals $270 million from New Brunswick as well as Prince Edward Island in employment insurance. The provinces are tired of this. This is what is happening now. The provinces are tired of the stealing that occurs at different levels, and people are paying the price.
I would like to get comments on this, because it does not happen only in Ontario, Quebec or Alberta. There are other provinces in the country, and people feel that they are being abused by the federal government.