Madam Speaker, the member's comments are not causing me any problem; I accept them at face value.
I would like to say a couple of things. First, if the hon. member would like to have a debate on the principles and the reasons for the setting up of Hibernia I suggest that he bring it forward. I would be delighted to debate him on that topic at any time.
However, I came today to talk about regional development in general, and ACOA being the vehicle for that that was the reason that I decided to use ACOA. I understand that the hon. members of Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition are not perhaps aware of what really happens in Atlantic Canada. As an Atlantic Canadian member of Parliament it is my duty to make them aware of it.
I believe that Atlantic Canada is a heaven on earth due to long time Liberal policies. To make it a true heaven on earth, it would perhaps be wise if some people would stop trying to rip the heart out of my country.
To get back to the point I made before to the hon. member, I am glad that he remembers his previous role in a government which pursued, I might add, a scorched earth policy in Atlantic Canada. Those days are over. It is unusual for members of le Bloc to remember that their birth came from the Progressive Conservative government that did such damage in Atlantic Canada. I think it is quite honest and shows a level of integrity in the hon. member that he admits his role in that pernicious government with its pernicious policies and that he is obviously prepared to seek some sort of absolution from those of us in Atlantic Canada.
He is not going to get it. He certainly is not going to get it from me. What he is going to get is good policy, job creation and a belief in every region of this Canada; Atlantic Canada, Quebec, Ontario, the prairies, the west and the north. One country united, indivisible. As I have said the heart in the province of Quebec remains strong.