Mr. Speaker, unfortunately I missed the start of the hon. member's speech, because I was held up in committee. What I did hear, however, sounded absurd, and I wonder how he could say such things here in the House.
If the hon. member for Lotbinière absolutely must work for separation, let him go to Quebec to do it, let him run provincially. Here we are working for Canada, working in the interests of Quebeckers and of all Canadians. That is what the House of Commons is for, and there is nothing shameful about receiving a salary from the Government of Canada.
But when reference is made to equalization payments, the social transfer, Ontario ministers, I would also point out to the hon. member for Lotbinière that Stéphane Dion is, to the best of my knowledge, a Quebec MP who is working very hard in the interests of Quebeckers and Canadians, for one can do both these things.
If he claims that the amounts allocated to Ontario, British Columbia or Alberta as transfer payments are unfair, then let him do the calculations.