Mr. Speaker, I feel I must comment on what was said by the hon. member who was referring directly to my party when he asked us to forget about implementing solutions like a separate country that would be too small. I can inform him that there are small, developed countries with a vigorous economy and social programs and a standard of living that are enviable.
The globalization we are experiencing today will actually make peoples who may be part of several nations, and this is no mean task, want to defend their identity. Identity also extends to social security programs and how they are organized.
Many members have spoken to defend Canada's social security system, and I can understand that. I also heard them mention its defects and that it needs to be modernized. In my speech in reply to the speech from the throne, I discussed many shortcomings we in Quebec have noticed for a long time and have been trying to remedy in negotiations with the federal government. Although we saw what the problems were and wanted to make adjustments and save money, which is indeed a priority today, the federal government constantly objected to our proposals. I will get back to this problem, but it seems to me that although we should listen to what hon. members opposite have to say, they should listen as well and realize there are two social security plans in Canada at this time, a Canadian system and a Quebec system.