Mr. Speaker, one cannot conceal the truth by playing with figures. It was clearly set out in the agreements negotiated by the federal government and the provinces-read them-that transfers to Quebec would be in the form of tax points and cash payments.
Also, equalization payments are not freebies given for one reason or another to the provinces. These payments are made to have-not provinces, so that all the provinces, rich or poor, can offer comparable levels of public services. Consider that more than 60 per cent of provincial expenditures are social expenditures. So, equalization payments are clearly part and parcel of the transfers designed to fund social programs.
Logic demands that the three types of transfers be taken into account in determining that the shortfall is only $350 million.