Mr. Speaker, I would remind the hon. member of the opposition that I naturally prefer work shirts to ties. I think that might answer his question. The hon. member across the way seems strangely interested in the riding of Bonaventure-«les-de-la-Madeleine, to the point where it almost sounds like he is considering running against me. It is, of course, a lovely area.
However, it will take a lot to kickstart the economy. Take unemployment insurance reform. I have had the privilege of meeting with my constituents, who had a number of very interesting and constructive ideas to pass on. I also offered my opinion to the minister. I implore him to make major changes to this bill. We are, in fact, going to invite opposition members and a number of Liberal MPs to suggest constructive changes to this bill.
Quebecers, and particularly the people of my riding, are no longer satisfied with the status quo, with an unemployment rate of 20 per cent and higher, with a dropout rate of over 40 per cent. This is why we want to introduce incentives to give young people a chance, to give them some hope in the region I come from. This is what is important.
Furthermore, I was the first to rise, as a member from Quebec I would add, when I told the minister that we had to re-examine the method used to calculate unemployment insurance benefits, that the 410 hours is unacceptable in my region. That is what I said. I also said that we must take a second look at this idea of penalizing
seasonal workers, of dropping from 55 per cent to 50 per cent of income after five years of benefits. I took a stand.
I have confidence in the minister, I have confidence in this government, and I want my constituents to know that it was the Canadian government, a Liberal government, that established this country's social safety net. It is to the great credit of my party and I have not forgotten it. But I can tell you that it was the former Leader of the Opposition who cut the budget in Quebec by 20 per cent in 1982-83. There are tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands of Quebecers who have not forgotten that yet.
We want equity and with the amounts, the $300 million we will be transferring to remote areas, the programs to promote the employability of people in a number of sectors, particularly aquaculture and the high tech field, in order to give the young and the not so young a chance, a hope that they will be able to find suitable employment.
In conclusion, our government is an equitable one which seeks social justice above all and that is why I am here as the member for Bonaventure-Îles-de-la-Madeleine, so that we will be heard loud and clear, listened to here in the House of Commons, and to ensure that these programs meet our needs.