Mr. Speaker, I really wanted to take part in this debate because, as you know, my colleague, the hon. member for Champlain, sits on the Standing Committee on Agriculture. In the past, he has always demonstrated a keen interest in agriculture.
However, I would like to hear his comments on the issue of research and development. As he mentioned, unfortunately for the province of Quebec, two research stations will be closed, one at L'Assomption and the other at La Pocatière.
I remember the day I was sitting on a committee on agriculture with the hon. Eugene Whelan, as a guest witness. You must have known him very well, since he has made a significant contribution in this area. He used to say to us: "Each dollar we invest in agriculture has a $7 return."
I would ask the hon. member for Champlain whether he would agree with the hon. Eugene Whelan and, if so, how he can justify the cuts the Liberal government has made in agricultural R & D?