I believe the message regarding people's BlackBerries has come through loud and clear. That's good.
Mr. Chairman, I think it makes a lot of sense to give Quebec the chance of opting out of the program. Quebec has been running its own program for the past 10 years, without any financial assistance whatsoever from the federal government.
The program that the federal government is preparing to introduce—provided of course the Conservative government consents to it, which we surely hope it does — will force Quebec to pick up some of the costs.
I would remind our colleague Mr. Chong that the federal government does not contribute one red cent to Quebec's program and that 25% of the costs of the proposed program which we are supporting will be paid by Quebec, even though it will be of no benefit to Quebec. Therefore, it makes a lot of sense that we be allowed to have our say in this matter.
I think he should be delighted, as should the rest of Canada, that Quebec is willing to contribute to this program in order to improve the daycare and early childhood education system in Canada. I think this magnanimous gesture on our part deserves to be recognized.
I think the NDP party deserves credit for tabling this bill, as does the Liberal Party for supporting it. I'm most distressed by the Conservatives who are arguing against the proposed legislation.