Mr. Speaker, I would like the member for Argenteuil—Papineau—Mirabel to rethink his speech. Equalization is a Canada-wide system that distributes wealth. Quebec receives more money than other regions of the country because of the equalization formula, which is an advantage of federalism for Quebec.
That said, is the member for Argenteuil—Papineau—Mirabel willing to acknowledge that this year Quebec will receive a record equalization payment of $8.3 billion? Is he willing to acknowledge that equalization will continue to increase under the new formula we have put in place? Quebec is receiving more than it did last year. In fact, it is receiving 70% more than it received before we came to power. Is he willing to acknowledge that, thanks to the Conservative government, Quebec is receiving more equalization? If that is the case, why is he against the budget when this money will be transferred to Quebec?