Mr. Speaker, we seem to be digressing, but I will gladly answer that. I met the workers and Mrs. Paterson in February, I believe that was a few months before the Bloc decided to organize a consultation of the people.
You know, I, too, could invite opposition members to work on sustainable developments in the Gaspé Peninsula or elsewhere. For example, I worked hard on the Eastern Plan. I really worked hard and I think I fulfilled my mandate as an elected representative. Nothing is finalized yet. However, speaking of railways, I dealt with that in February. Talk to the workers in New Carlisle, those of VIA Rail and CN. When there were problems, Patrick Gagnon was there. Patrick Gagnon even held a press conference with Mrs. Paterson, and that was a long time before the public hearings for propaganda, held by the opposition.
I did my job, and as a member of this House I am proud of the result we now have. Because of my efforts, because also of the understanding and commitment to VIA Rail shown by the Minister of Transport, the service is now guaranteed. I believe I did my duty, and do not forget that this was part of my platform. I am, first and foremost, a representative of the riding of Bonaventure-Îles-de-la-Madeleine. I met with the workers long before the opposition realized the importance of a railway line. It seems that the opposition wants to redeem itself, because its leader was party to a government decision to cut VIA Rail service by 50 per cent, back in 1989.
This is not a question for me to answer. The Leader of the Opposition should come before me, before Canadians, before the people of Quebec and of the Gaspé Peninsula, in order to explain why he agreed to cut the service by 50 per cent, so that, now, the train goes into the riding of Bonaventure-Îles-de-la--
Madeleine only three days a week instead of seven as it did until 1989.
Where were you, Lucien Bouchard?