Mr. Speaker, this government is pathetic. Canadian families are carrying record debt loads under the Conservatives. Workers' wages have fallen by 2% over the last year, and 90,000 Canadian families had their livelihoods taken away this fall. What is this government doing? It is giving the oil companies and banks a lovely gift on January 1, while hiking EI premiums for families.
Why is this government giving Bay Street another big Christmas present? Why is it giving Canadian families a lump of coal in their stockings?