Mr. Speaker, one thing must be made clear. It is not traditional for the Government of Canada to send its Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs out to negotiate with the provinces on anything but strictly constitutional matters.
If the matter is a social one, a minister with a social mandate is sent. If the matter is economic, a minister with an economic mandate is sent, because what is of primary importance to us is to serve the people.
The Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs is there simply to help out his federal and provincial colleagues, and I am performing my duties to the satisfaction of the Prime Minister.