Madam Speaker, as usual the comments of members of the official opposition do not surprise me, but I will inform them of what it was like in my riding when we were in government.
When we were in government we had 4,000 men working at our shipyard, contributing to our economy and educating their young people. It was a beautiful time for our city. We also had a sugar refinery which dates back to 1903 with over 300 men working. It is closing at the end of this month. We had VIA Canada with over 300 men working. None of them had to go to the United States to work. They had their dignity. I have to say it was about the best time I had ever seen in Saint John, New Brunswick. I have nothing negative to say about our people when they were in power. They did an excellent job.
I read the comments that have been made. People will never forget the comments made in the House of Commons about everyone who sits in the House and whether or not they will take a pension. In the next election the comments that were made here will certainly be repeated. There is no question about that, but they will be repeated by other parties. They will remind the people of the statements that have been made.
This is not what one does. One does not rise in the House of Commons to say the derogatory things that were said about all other members. I look at our members who have contributed so much to try to stabilize the foundation of our country for our young people. Yet Reformers say we should never have a pension at age 55.
We lost one member of the House before she became 55 years of age. All kinds of nasty things can be said but the people do not appreciate that. The people do not want that and the people will never forgive members of the official opposition for the things they have said.