Mr. Speaker, I would have preferred to make my speech uninterrupted. But if I must, because of the schedule, I will start now.
I listened to the hon. members speaking on the budget this morning, but I will address only budget cuts in defence spending, the only area where cuts were visible in this budget.
First of all, I would like to congratulate the Minister of Defence for standing bravely by the cuts made in the defence budget. He even took offence with some questions other members of the Bloc and myself have asked him. I must however point out to the hon. Minister of Defence that, unfortunately, he thinks he has the monopoly of consistency with regard to the role the Bloc Quebecois members have given themselves. He said: "I seldom get angry, but when I hear this kind of partisan remarks, I cannot help but react. When they speak like that, they-he is referring to us, the Bloc Quebecois-have only one thing in mind, and that is to destroy our country. We refuse to have anything to do with their game".
I am generally considered in my riding as a moderate, not a fanatic sovereigntist, or separatist as the Prime Minister prefers to call us, one who tries to base his analyses on facts and figures. I quoted the Minister of Defence because he has decided to get involved, in conjunction with members of the Bloc Quebecois-
I will continue later, Mr. Speaker.