Mr. Speaker, let us say that we gained experience in trying to change the present system on several occasions: in 1990, 1992 and even before that. Numerous attempts were made to reform the system, but it is just not reformable, especially as viewed by Quebec.
For example, Western Canada, and Alberta in particular, was cheated of billions of dollars under the Trudeau regime. In fact, it is estimated that the government collected in excess of $100 billion from Alberta with Trudeau's energy tax. I have seen estimates ranging anywhere from $60 billion to more than $100 billion in oil taxes collected from Alberta alone. All that to maintain the federal system based here in Ottawa.
Other provinces had different problems, but in Quebec the main problem comes from way back. For one thing, it comes from the fact that we are French-speaking and have never been recognized in Canada as a different, distinct people, unique in North America. Everyone agrees that it is quite obvious though, but the fact remains that recognition has not been forthcoming in this system. Really, that is crucial for Quebec and the future of its society, because as long as we do not have the powers to develop as a French-speaking nation, as unique among North American nations, we will do all we can to try to gain these powers.
We will never have the necessary political and administrative reforms carried out within Canada. We will certainly not succeed in getting Quebec recognized as a people. We tried on several occasions but learned that it is just plain impossible.
The only difference perhaps between the Reform Party and the Bloc Quebecois is that we, in the Bloc, have realized that the federal system is not reformable, while our Reform colleagues believe it is still possible to reform this federal system.