Mr. Speaker, Canadians work hard to support their families, and they expect their tax dollars to be well spent on programs that are accessible to everyone.
Canadians also expect those who manage public funds to be accountable. However, right now, Canadians are angry because they see that the Conservatives would rather pad their party's coffers with the help of their friends in the Senate than provide public services.
The Conservatives are attacking unemployed workers while proudly defending the real abusers of public funds—Wallin, Duffy and the others.
The Conservatives do not understand the reality of employment insurance. They know nothing about the economic reality in the regions. They think seasonal businesses are a nuisance.
The Conservatives are sending inspectors after unemployed workers to intimidate them, and they are making cuts to anti-gang squads. Meanwhile, senators are getting off scot-free. The Prime Minister himself is the one who is granting them impunity, and he has already absolved his senators, who are guilty of serious abuse, of any wrongdoing.
The Conservatives are cutting essential services but increasing the budget of the outdated relic we call the Senate.
In 2015, the NDP will put an end to this sad spectacle.