Madam Speaker, I am curious about the comment of the hon. member opposite that the motion being debated today is a waste of time. I am sure the people where I come from will be very interested in that comment.
It is not just where I come from in the west. I spoke on some serious issues that I was made aware of in Nova Scotia. They were the port of Halifax, the tar ponds, shipbuilding, Devco and Sable Gas. All these issues are facing the federal government and it could do more. I am sure the people down there do not take kindly to the words that it is a waste of time.
We had hoped to get from the government not that it was a waste of time on regional issues but that we could do more and this is what we should do. It is truly unfortunate that it has taken this stance. I hope it can do more.
Would the hon. member do one thing at least? Would he stand here and commit on behalf of the committee he says he is on that it would table in the House today the itinerary, the agenda it has for the rest of Canada?
People in Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia would like to know where and when these folks will be showing up. He talked about having meetings with chambers of commerce and other organizations. The vast majority of people in those areas do not know those meetings are occurring. Behind closed door meetings, quiet meetings or unannounced meetings do not get adequate public input.