Mr. Speaker, as I think the hon. member is aware, the number of RCMP officers serving in the province of Quebec is not being reduced.
In fact, a very small number of those officers are being redeployed. They are being redeployed for the very reasons that the hon. member has identified, so that we can work more effectively with the local police.
We can work more effectively with the Sûreté so that we can discharge our obligations in the province of Quebec whether it is in relation to organized crime, drug trafficking, gun smuggling or other events that challenge the public safety of Quebeckers.