Mr. Speaker, while preaching restraint to others, the Prime Minister's office budget actually jumped $13 million, a whopping 22%. That is hypocrisy. It is also enough money to extend EI benefits for 5,816 workers or pay the annual OAS and GIS benefits for 1,157 seniors.
Covering up such hypocrisy is no easy task, which is probably why the size of the PMO's communications office is unprecedented.
Does the Minister of Finance not think that this money would be better spent actually helping Canadians instead of paying for PR?