Hear, hear!
Hon. Edward Broadbent (Oshawa):
Mr. Speaker, my question is directed to the Prime Minister. During the election campaign and Leaders' debate in the fall, I suggested to the Prime Minister the trade deal would jeopardize existing levels of Canada's regional development and social policies. The Prime Minister at that time denied the argument, but he went on to say: "The problem is not in the text. It is somewhere down the road".
The Prime Minister knows the proposed changes in the unemployment insurance regulations raised from 4 per cent to 6 per cent the level at which regional benefits can click in. Will the Prime Minister admit this move from 4 per cent to 6 per cent is not accidental, because 6 per cent is precisely the level that exists in the United States?
Will he also acknowledge that the harmonization of Canadian social programs down to the level of the United States has already started?
Hear, hear!
Let Barbara answer.
Does he speak?
Right Hon. Brian Mulroney (Prime Minister):
I am
having trouble following the Leader of the NDP. Today he is being critical of things in the United States. A few days ago he was encouraging us to support Ronald Reagan and his tax policies.
The changes announced are designed to-
Harmonize.
Mr. Mulroney:
I will be happy to try and answer.
Mr. Speaker:
The Right Hon. Prime Minister.
Mr. Mulroney:
Mr. Speaker, they are designed to contribute to something I know offends socialist ears- the creation of new wealth and new jobs for Canadians.
Hear, hear!
Mr. Mulroney:
from September of 1984 until March of this year, unemployment went down from 11.6 per cent to 7.5 per cent. One million, four hundred thousand new jobs have been created for Canadians from one part of the country to the other. That is what we were elected to do. That is exactly what we will continue to do.
Hear, hear!
Hon. Edward Broadbent (Oshawa):
Mr. Speaker, when the Prime Minister has an indefensible case, he answers a question that was not answered-he answers one that was not asked.
Oh, oh!
Mr. Broadbent:
The Prime Minister is smiling. The Prime Minister promised Canadian workers that social programs would not be affected. It is the Prime Minister who has betrayed those social programs since the election. That is the case.
April 13, 1989
My question is directed to the Prime Minister. Does he stand behind what he said in the election campaign that social programs would not be affected? If that is the case, can the Prime Minister tell the people of Canada how we have changed the click-in point for regional unemployment insurance benefits to coincide with the United States? The Government has betrayed Canadian workers, and the Prime Minister should admit it.
Hon. Barbara McDougall (Minister of Employment and Immigration):
I do not think that providing jobs and better benefits for Canadian workers is a fundamental violation of social programs. It is making them better. It is a made-in-Canada policy. It recognizes regional disparities. The Member is caught in the old socialist ways, and the status quo does not work. That is why we are here and not you.
Hear, hear!