Mr. Speaker, given the gravity of the accusations of the hon. member, I would have thought he would at least have had the courtesy of serving me notice. Had he served me notice, I would have advised him as I did yesterday, as I did several months ago when I actually gave a copy of that particular report to the House. Unfortunately, his caucus I suppose did not advise him of it.
In fact, the Brander-Smith report to which I referred yesterday in the House was initiated by the Right Hon. Brian Mulroney when the hon. Leader of the Opposition was Minister of the Environment. There were several public hearings held while he was Minister of the Environment, including a public hearing that was held in Halifax, another public hearing that was held in Saint John and another public hearing held in Prince Edward Island, which specifically called on the Minister of the Environment in 1989 to act.
In fact, the minister did not act. He did not act; his predecessors did not act; his successors did not act. We acted within 100 days of coming to government.
I would have thought that rather than dragging out the issue-
-rather that resorting to petty politics, the Bloc Quebecois would have done better to recognize the fact that we have made a decision, a decision that neither the former environment minister, his predecessor, nor his successor made.
I will repeat in French so that he understands clearly. When he was environment minister, in 1989, three public hearings were held at which the refloating of the Irving Whale was advocated, and he did not respond. That is what I said in the House yesterday.
I will put my word on the line against his word any time.