Borrowing Authority Act, 1994-95  There is no doubt that any government in the modern world now must be extremely careful in the way it allocates its expenditures because the days of the fat cats have disappeared. No longer will we face a time when governments, whether municipal, federal, provincial in Canada or elsewhere in OECD countries, have enough free money that they can afford to waste a cent of it.

Borrowing Authority Act, 1994-95  Second, the government turns around and makes a 2 per cent cut in UI benefit rates on the backs of the unemployed, victims of the incapacity of the people opposite. Third, labour is told: "From now on, you will have to work longer to qualify for these lower benefits". Low and middle-income workers in my riding, several of whom are seasonal or contract workers, have just been dealt three stiff blows by the Liberals.

Borrowing Authority Act, 1994-95  Over the three-year period outlined in the budget the government will implement $5 of spending cuts for every $1 in revenue increase. This is the only path to successful deficit reduction. Canadians can no longer afford to shoulder an ever-increasing tax burden. This budget acknowledges that fact that while also recognizing the increase in spending today is simply increased taxes for tomorrow.

The Budget  They do not need the money to put into family trusts and save on their income tax or to compensate for the fact that they can no longer deduct their business lunches. They need the money for food, clothing, shelter and health care. Not so long ago, when he was meditating on the opposition benches before becoming Minister of Finance, this is the same person-although he seems to have forgotten this, as we saw in his first budget-the same person responsible for the economic development of greater Montreal, who wrote in La Presse on June 8, 1992, in referring to Montreal: ``As the economic heartland and a major development force, the Montreal region must be given a boost very quickly, otherwise its economic decline will be that of Quebec as well''.

The Budget  But the more significant issue is that the funds that are being saved by these cuts, which we are informed should have been made years ago and would have been easier to make at that time, are being reinvested into the programs, some of which I listed at the beginning of my speech, where there would be a better return for the job creation that is required than to continue to fund the military establishments that are no longer useful.

The Budget  Even if we grant him that supposition, perhaps the government could be run like a household. Certainly, when we can no longer pay our bills in our household we have to take drastic measures; namely, do without some of the things that we can do without in order to reduce our expenditures to fit our income. That certainly seems to make sense to me.

The Budget  Speaker, first of all, 95 per cent of seniors will be entitled to all or part of the age credit. Only 5 per cent of seniors will no longer be entitled to any credit whatsoever. All we are really doing is bringing the age credit in line with other revenue-based credits. I might add that our budget does not affect in any way Old Age Security, the Guaranteed Income Supplement or the pension income credit.

Veterans Affairs  Politicians make positive statements, officials meet and promises are made, but nothing really happens. If the country waits much longer all these men will be dead. I am given to understand that the federal government is now studying proposals on how special recognition might best be provided and that when that is done the government will have several concrete options for veterans' groups to review.

Age Tax Credit  As a matter of fact, three quarters of retirees are not affected since their income is less than $25,921. Only those whose income exceeds $50,000 will no longer be entitled to the age credit. They represent only 5 per cent of all retirees. Thus, three quarters of them will not be affected at all. The new budget provisions will have the same beneficial impact on seniors who are less fortunate.

The Budget  It is clear because, regardless of whether Conservatives or Liberals are at the helm, people no longer have any confidence at all in the present federal system. Let me explain: Canada is operating increasingly in the red. Both the budget and the deficit reflect this fact. Liberals, for a second time, have set a record.

The Budget  We are prepared to be judged by how we deal with the hand we have been dealt by the world we find. This budget is a first step in a longer process which began on October 25 to restore fiscal health and preserve the social justice which defines Canada. The government will not solve Canada's problems by creating a permanent underclass in this country.

The Budget  For far too long Canadians have tended to put in special frills and things that required additional engineering which wound up costing more and taking much longer to implement. I think the off the shelf purchases are a very good idea. We are looking at contracting out some of the things that Canadian forces personnel currently do. This as well is a step in the right direction.

The Budget  Second, the Minister of Human Resources Development cannot continue making fun of Quebecers and Canadians any longer by pretending to consult them about their priorities and concerns, since his own priorities and concerns, namely moving ahead with cuts, are reflected in the budget. I urge him, Madam Speaker, to immediately table his reform project and to get rid of these experts at $500 a day plus expenses.

The Budget  I wish the Minister of Finance would realize that in Montreal, as I said earlier, 64,000 families-one household out of three-pay more than 50 per cent of their income on housing, and 20,000 people are homeless. Are the Minister of Finance and his government going to close their eyes much longer to this human suffering? It is time to stop the pretty speeches and take action. The government should stop saying it will do anything at all to help people, when it agrees to maintain a decision to cut $600 million from the budget for social housing.

Fight Against Organized Crime  Those attitudes created social chaos which allowed organized crime to get a better foothold in our community and create networks of people selling tobacco, arms, liquor and drugs. There is no longer any no go zone. From now on, the police will have all the necessary power to conduct surveillance activities and, if necessary, to arrest people. I do hope that the only elected independent member in Canada is not dreaming.