Mr. Speaker, it is a pleasure to respond to the question by the member.
I point out a minor flaw in his preamble in reference to the fact that the government has not been a particularly consultative administration. In question period, although perhaps not coming from the member himself, most of the time the official opposition has challenged that the government consults too much.
My experience as a member of Parliament has been to participate in the social security review which was a significant exercise in consultation. This type of exercise should not be limited to the Prime Minister or to the government. We all have a significant responsibility to consult with our own constituents in terms of the direction the country should take.
In answer to his question, we have had a large number of consultations in Fredericton-York-Sunbury, 14 or 15. We had two consultations on the question of the budget. We had a consultation on health care, two consultations on the social security review and consultations on national defence and national unity following the referendum.
Therefore I challenge the suggestion of the hon. member that the government and this Parliament have not been consultative, quite the contrary. I am quite pleased with the opportunity given to me as a member of Parliament to consult with my constituents and bring their concerns to this place.