Mr. Speaker, one of the real threats to Canada is the balkanized, fragmented, mean-minded attitude expressed by the leader of the Reform Party. That is the real danger to the federalism of the country.
If he knew his facts, which he does not, he would recognize that we put in place last year a new transfer payment that would give the provinces brand new flexibility in making choices and the provincial premiers could set up a process to begin discussing it.
The ministers of British Columbia were a full part of it but refused to bring their concerns in front of the provincial body where those decisions could be made. They acted unilaterally without any discussion with ourselves or the other provinces. They took an action which broke the law.
We went out there three weeks ago to say let us find a solution, let us negotiate, let us find a partnership. There was absolutely no support from this gentleman or his party for the kind of federalism which must be based upon partnership and co-operation, not the kind of fragmentation this gentleman represents.