44th Parl. 1st Sess.
April 18, 2023 10:00AM
- Apr/18/23 10:31:14 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, the budget has several important elements. However, the fact remains that it meddles in the jurisdictions of Quebec and the Canadian provinces.
I would like to hear my colleague's opinion on this. Does he have any concerns about the fact that part of the budget does not respect the jurisdictions set out in the Constitution?
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- Apr/18/23 12:03:06 p.m.
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Madam Speaker, health care deficits have been growing for more than 30 years.
These deficits arise from the fact that the health transfers should cover about 50% of the provinces' costs but currently cover only 18% to 22%. We should not be surprised if provinces make cuts. Federal cuts impact budgets, especially in times of crisis.
I find it appalling that the provinces have to be accountable to the federal government, which will provide the money only if it is satisfied. The source of the problem is that the amount of the health transfers is not what it should be.
I would like my colleague to elaborate on that.
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- Apr/18/23 12:17:55 p.m.
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Madam Speaker, my colleague mentioned affordable housing, specifically for seniors.
Knowing that a $2,250 unit is considered affordable because it includes a 10% discount on the actual cost of rent, but that the pension for seniors aged 65 to 74 is less than $700 per month, can my colleague explain how these units are affordable? I also wonder how she can justify the government's refusal to increase the pension for seniors aged 65 to 74, as it did for seniors aged 75 and over.
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- Apr/18/23 12:32:48 p.m.
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Madam Speaker, I think we can agree that the budget is not all bad. There are some good intentions in there.
That said, as my colleague mentioned, there are also things missing. I would like his opinion on one thing that I noted was missing, and that is respect for the jurisdictions of Quebec and the Canadian provinces, as defined by the Constitution.
I would like my colleague to tell us more about this lack of respect for the Constitution in current budgets.
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- Apr/18/23 1:32:57 p.m.
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Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague for his passionate speech.
He mentioned the government's deficit. What I have noticed is that the government announces spending, but does not manage to spend what it announces. In 2021‑22, they failed to spend the $38 billion they announced. In 2022‑23, they failed to spend the nearly $40 billion that was announced and we can expect the same amounts in the current budget.
In short, the federal government announces deficits when in reality it is squirrelling away significant sums of money in its coffers. In the meantime, it refuses to increase seniors' pensions, to modernize the Employment Insurance Act and to meet the demands of Quebec and the Canadian provinces on health transfers.
What does my colleague think of the federal government perpetuating the fiscal imbalance to the detriment of Quebec, the Canadian provinces and their populations?
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