Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate the member for Hillsborough for his speech describing what the Canadian Armed Forces have done over the years. It is true their peacekeeping activity has been quite extraordinary. However, Canadians, people in my riding who elected me and who expect me to ask the appropriate questions here in this House when it is necessary, are wondering what to think now.
They wonder if Canada can still afford the operations it is conducting all over the world, at a time when we are cutting welfare benefits, at a time when we are asking a bigger sacrifice from all Canadians and all Quebecers. That is the question we should ask ourselves.
Can we still afford such measures? If our means are limited, why not be content with limited involvement, instead of always claiming that we are out to save the world?