Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the Bloc member who agrees with me that regional development programs, particularly the one for Atlantic Canada -which benefits the Gaspé Peninsula to a certain extent-are not hand-outs like the Reform member said, drawing heavy applause from some Bloc members.
I would like to stress that, indeed, Canadians and Quebecers have a good memory. As far as regional development policies are concerned, I remember the time when I lived in the Quebec North Shore area in the 1970s. It underwent a true industrial, economic and social revolution with the help of a Liberal government in Ottawa. I remember that vividly. But some people have a very selective memory. They remember things that may not have been really needed at the time, but they seldom remember and praise good things that were done. This is a case of selective memory.
As concerns the remarks of the hon. member, I would like to mention that, as the member for Madawaska-Victoria, New Brunswick, I am not part of what he calls English Canada. Mr. Speaker, there is no such thing as an English Canada and a French Canada. There is one Canada from coast to coast, one nation made up of founding peoples and immigrants, a nation of which we are all extremely proud.