Mr. Speaker, I would like to start by congratulating our colleague from Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot on her victory, as well as the new member for Roberval—Lac-Saint-Jean.
That said, we find this to be an odd government. Indeed, of this government, the philosopher Pascal would say that its centre is nowhere and its periphery, everywhere. No one knows where it is going; it has no direction. We are trying to determine what is guiding the government's actions.
The poverty that exists in our society is unbelievable. Our colleague began her speech by telling us about the homelessness awareness night. Although Canada is a rich country, we are seeing more poverty than ever in Canada and Quebec.
We must reconcile the need to have an efficient production system with healthy distribution policies. One way to fight poverty is through social housing.
All members received a copy of a study conducted by the Canadian Housing and Renewal Association—an association based in English Canada—which talks about a $700 million decline in funding for affordable housing. Is my hon. colleague not saddened by how this government has abandoned people with housing needs? Does she have any hope that, together, the opposition parties can make this government listen to reason, despite its cruel insensitivity in this file? Just how discouraged does she feel?