Mr. Speaker, I want to compliment the member for Dufferin—Peel—Wellington—Grey on his speech. I certainly enjoyed it.
Many members have been taking part in the debate today, especially those from Manitoba and that is as it should be. However, some of us take a great interest in these matters even though in this particular case we are not from Manitoba. The member and I share this very personal interest. I have in fact seen from the air and the ground the results of the flooding which we are dealing with in this case.
As some members may have noticed today, the Reform members have been dragging the puck for whatever reason. I do not know what the reason is. They do not like this legislation and have been drawing out the debate this afternoon at great length. We are now getting very close to voting time. They keep mentioning the matter of accountability. They raise the spectre of accountability of first nations.
My question will be based on my understanding that the trust fund which is going to be established manages the compensation moneys which was stressed by the parliamentary secretary.
We are talking about compensation for many, many years; decades of hardship resulting from the flooding.
The trust fund that manages the compensation moneys will be subject to provincial trust laws and will be administered according to generally accepted accounting principles. As well, all of the parties to the master implementation agreement will receive an annual report on the trust's business affairs.
I do not know the laws of the province of Manitoba, but I would ask my colleague: Is it not true that in fact the moneys which will be allocated under this legislation will be properly managed and accounted for in the way that I have just described?