Committees of the House  In this period of particular need we have more surplus funds being generated within the EI fund. If this is not scandalous, it is not far from it. In times of austerity, when hard times put demands on a program that is supposed to be a safety net, an unacceptable amount of surplus is going to continue to build up, and this too I feel is wrong. I think that here, as in other instances “something is rotten in the state of Denmark”.

Criminal Code  It is a very interesting program, one that does not necessarily suit all companies, but which could be put in place in the case of Air Canada, for example, or any other company that meets the program criteria. It is intended to help employers forced to take austerity measures, and this means that layoffs may be avoided. How can this result be achieved? The work week is shortened, and wages are reduced accordingly. HRDC lets the workers draw EI benefits for the days they do not work, which helps compensate for the reduction in wages.

Criminal Code  The hon. member mentioned a number of different things such as the need for people to feel safe and to attack organized crime. The people most vulnerable to organized crime are people who are poor and living in very austere conditions. They end up buying drugs or becoming victims of the abuse that goes along with organized crime. The Alliance Party has been absolutely brutal any time there is a suggestion that funds should go to improving housing, to people living in poverty, to improve conditions or to provide programs to help such people.

Main Estimates, 2000-01  With the support of Canadians in every part of the country, we have eliminated this deficit. After years of austerity, we are now in a position to make investments. We are not investing carelessly, however. It is not our intention to go back to the spending policies of the Conservative government of that time.

Species At Risk Act  There is in this House a former minister of the environment in the Bourassa government. Under a rather austere exterior, he is a rather nice man. I believe he broke away from his party during the language crisis. I would like to make a wish before giving the floor back to my colleague. Could we count on the support of all the Quebecers in this House, regardless of their political convictions?

The Budget  He had sufficient money available to him to ensure that this budget was one that would help Canadians get their heads above water again, able to catch their breath a bit, particularly after the years of austerity we have been through. This is, of course, a budget that will please a number of people, because there is a little bit for everyone, but it is my sincere belief that it is simply smoke and mirrors, throwing around some big money.

Canada Labour Code  Unfairness at a time when people are not as wealthy as they used to be is totally unacceptable. In this period of austerity, we have to stick together. In order to decry and fight against the unfair treatment handed out to the poor, the young, the elderly and so on, generations absolutely have to stand united.

Semaine Des Bibliothèques Publiques Du Québec  Speaker, the Semaine des bibliothèques publiques du Québec, which is taking place this week, seeks to make Quebecers aware of the multiple resources provided by libraries. Public libraries are no longer the austere and cold places that some of us may remember. Quebec's 974 libraries offer such resources as books, records, videos, CD-ROMs and the Internet. Libraries are user-friendly and accessible.

Speech From The Throne  When people earn $9, $10 or $11 an hour, the difference between the two often represents the money necessary to make ends meet. If we were going through a terrible austerity period like the one in the early nineties, the government might be justified in saying “Everyone should do his or her share”. The government did not ask everyone to do his or her share, but it continues to make that request to people who have already done their share.

Supply  I have always argued that the justice ministry should help finance such cases that raise general constitutional issues. It was done and was dropped in budget austerity measures earlier in the term of this government and it could be revived. It is a constant, dynamic process of making law compatibly with the constitution and the charter of rights.

Canada Customs And Revenue Agency Act  If the area of taxation and revenue has a culture, as a government organization, which is such that the strict and austere rules of the public service as a whole do not apply, I believe there are all kind of ways to improve efficiency while keeping the same rules with some exceptions—this is what we look for within an accountability framework.

Canada Small Business Financing Act  Employment insurance is a tax cutting into the wages of employees and beating up on employers. How was the deficit reduced? Was it with the austere program this Liberal government put forward? No. It was an increase in the economy that, in spite of what this government has done, allowed more revenues to come into the coffers. That is how the books were balanced.

Budget Implementation Act, 1998  In one of them, 71% of the respondents were more supportive of the Canada social transfer. People said it had been very difficult for them to go through the period of austerity created by the cuts, and they felt that, perhaps, the surpluses were not being managed properly, since the government was giving $2.5 billion to a private foundation which, as we know, will have a rather wide mandate.

Government Spending  Mr. Speaker, my question if for the Minister of Canadian Heritage. Despite years of austerity and cuts, the propaganda budget for Canada Day and heritage celebrations has increased by 1,000% in two years. Can the minister explain to us why she has served Quebec so well this time by giving it 56% of the Canada Day budget?

Supply  Therefore, it is not surprising to see that kind of motion which is an attempt to adversely affect the CBC, this national monument and institution of which I am extremely proud. Indeed, we are in a period of fiscal austerity. The federal government is in a period of fiscal austerity and so are the provinces. The Minister of Finance's budget, and may I remind you that this budget has been tremendously well received by all Canadians, which proves that this government is a responsible government, has lightly touched the budget of the CBC in an effort on the part of the minister to put some order in the government's fiscal house.