Mr. Speaker, the NDP is not alone in being disgusted by the Conservatives' gutting of employment insurance.
Across the country, Conservatives have been critical of their own party's actions. Even Conservative candidates in the last election are disgusted by what the Conservative government is doing to the employment insurance program. They are saying:
...it makes no sense...a step backwards for the regions...With this reform, entire towns and cities will disappear!
The former Conservative member of Parliament for Gaspé, Charles-Eugène Marin, said, “This is bullshit!”
The Conservatives are turning their backs on the regions. Their most loyal supporters have acknowledged this publicly. The Conservatives' 2011 slogan, “Our region in power”, served only to disguise their contempt for the regions.
This reform can destroy the human resources our seasonal industries rely on.
Members of the NDP, reeves, industries, chambers of commerce and Conservatives in eastern Quebec all agree: this reform must be cancelled.
People in the regions, in Atlantic Canada and across the country can count on the NDP to stand up for them against a government that will clearly never respect them.