Human Resources committee  I think that the federal government could play a role with respect to the dissemination of information on the practices used by the provinces. Very often, the Europeans are more successful than we are in disseminating information, in the framework of an open coordination method which allows stakeholders to find out which practices are successful and how things are done here and there.

Human Resources committee  Yes, I can hear you. Can you hear me?

Human Resources committee  Good morning. Thank you for having invited me to appear before the committee. Let me introduce myself quickly. I am a professor of political science at the Université de Montréal. For several years I have been working on labour market policies, social assistance and anti-poverty policies.

Finance committee  If I remember correctly, it's the 2007 budget. In 2006 there was a budget that acknowledged that. Because the Conservatives had just been elected there was not a full year to really prepare their own budget, but that budget in 2006 acknowledged the problems that existed in the federation in terms of the fiscal arrangements.

Finance committee  As I said, if the equalization program is well done, that can be fair. But it has to be acknowledged that it's a different conception of sharing from what used to exist in the programs. What should be said also about equalization is that it's not a program that takes money from Alberta and gives it to other provinces.

Finance committee  I had five minutes, so I was a bit short on equalization and other programs. I didn't talk about cuts, but the thing is that the federation is organized around a certain understanding of fiscal transfers and arrangements between Ottawa and the provinces. Among these arrangements was an understanding that the federal government plays a role in health care.

Finance committee  Essentially, it will vary, depending on what the provinces decide to do. If we rely on what happened after 1995, when there were major cuts in federal transfers to the provinces.... Certainly health care represents the largest expense for the provinces, and so there will almost inevitably be cuts in that area.

Finance committee  Can I answer?

Finance committee  I would be so pleased if Alberta were following Quebec and implementing social policies like we have, and I know Alberta can afford it.

Finance committee  If you want to make Alberta a have-not province in Canada, that's hard to—

Finance committee  Quebeckers have more social programs because they pay more taxes by a large amount. Most of the difference is explained by the fact that we pay more taxes, and we decide to do it because we want to provide ourselves with social services. If Albertans don't want these social services and don't want to pay the taxes for them, that's their choice.

Finance committee  The Parliamentary Budget Officer has done evaluations of the long-term consequences. A little earlier, the question of whether we should continue spending more on health care was asked. In fact, what is proposed is not that we spend more, but that we spend less. The federal government's financial contribution to health care is going to decline.

Finance committee  The decision—

Finance committee  It's just on something along these lines. As members of Parliament, you should all be worried and concerned about preserving the role of Parliament in deliberating thoroughly on any issue, whatever side you are on. This is damaging to Parliament, the institution that you are making work.

Finance committee  Well, ask the other question, and I'll say yes or no then.