Mr. Speaker, I am surprised that my colleagues of the opposition would want to debate on a motion which says that the federal government will impose standards on provinces. I read the document tabled in this House by Mr. Martin on February 27, 1995 and nowhere can I find the word "impose". It only says that the federal government wants to start discussions with the provinces in order to establish standards and goals, so that there will be minimum standards all across Canada.
I do not understand why my colleague is so allergic to the words "goal" and "standard". There is nothing different there.
I would simply like to mention to the hon. member that in the Hansard of May 4, 1989, on page 1291, Mr. Bouchard who was then a conservative minister, said and I quote:
That being said, the best way to guarantee that social programs will be preserved is to maintain a strong government that is able to intervene and to stand by its commitments to our neediest fellow Canadians.
So stated Lucien Bouchard on May 4, 1989, page 1291.
I agree with what Mr. Bouchard said in 1989 and as a matter of fact I-