Mr. Speaker, Quebec researchers are reacting strongly to the PQ government's threat to cut off research centres and universities which accept funding from the Canada Foundation for Innovation.
The PQ government, on the other hand, is demanding its share of the sums to be allocated to R and D.
The former leader of the Bloc, the man who believes his party is destined to disappear, the hon. member for Roberval, indicated on February 28, 1996 that they believed R and D investments were needed to create jobs.
Quebec Premier Lucien Bouchard said on October 3, 1995:
Quebec only gets 18.6% of federal funds compared to 50% for Ontario.
The federal government is taking action, but the PQ is complaining and protesting against the action of the Government of Canada with respect to Quebec institutions. By making the researchers pay the political price, the Parti Quebecois is acting against the interests of Quebec. The Bloc ought to join with those who are speaking out against this action by the separatists.
Let us have protection of the public at heart.