Madam Speaker, I thank my NDP colleague for her question. I think she has clearly identified the cause and the effects.
A government that turns things upside down, that decides to withdraw from certain fields after making sure that these fields no longer meet the aspirations of the locals, is not entitled to do so. It must do so according to the conditions of the people who have been deprived of development in their region.
I have never been to Cape Breton, but I hope to go there one day. People have said to me that solutions were put to this government over the years.
Earlier, I spoke of the POWA. This program existed before. It did not suit everyone, but it was one small way this government could, with our money, with its ever diminishing open-mindedness, meet the needs of these people.
Well, no. It did not suit it any more, since it was good for the people. So it withdrew it.
This government has always acted unilaterally, pulling out once it has deprived communities of their independence.
It must meet the needs of the people of Cape Breton. It must give them a hand. It must help them. These are proud people. They love their community and want to stay there. They are very ingenious and have my full support. The government has got to have a social conscience.