Mr. Speaker, in a letter to a meeting of his provincial counterparts in Halifax, the Minister of Human Resources Development included a requirement that the provinces get back to him on his proposed reform of social programs within 36 hours. Not three weeks, not one week, not three days, not 48 hours but 36 hours. An unrealistic and unacceptable deadline, considering the extent of a reform that has met with legitimate opposition from the provinces.
I want to ask the minister whether this means he still insists on imposing his views on the provinces by making them feel they are up against the wall, since he sent them a 36-hour ultimatum.