Mr. Speaker, the problem with this government is that it is taking measures that the hon. member's leader did not take for two years with respect to the Irving Whale . Ask your leader, when he comes back, what he did about the Irving Whale .
I am not talking about Mr. Bouchard as an individual but as the Leader of the Opposition. I would like to ask the hon. member who is criticizing the minister if the Leader of the Opposition, while he was Minister of the Environment and after receiving numerous letters, did anything about the Irving Whale when he was responsible for the matter? And you have the gall to criticize the minister who, after only three months, did something about it!
As for the BAPE, I ask the hon. member to prove to the House that the BAPE will disappear, that its operations will change from what they are now. Indeed, I am in a good position to know the BAPE because I established the Lacoste Committee on the BAPE in Quebec. I know the BAPE inside out. You will have to
show me how the BAPE will differ from what it is today and why it will make fewer evaluations.
The BAPE will continue to operate in exactly the same way. What we want to do with the act is to maintain what is already provided for in the federal guidelines. Nothing will change except that there will be an act instead of guidelines. That is all. The federal government has very clear jurisdiction, as I explained, and that is why we are doing this.
How could the PQ and Bloc members, who want to destroy this country, agree with a federal piece of legislation? Of course you will not support a federal law! Name one other province, only one that refuses Bill C-13 today. Name only one. If you can, I will support you.