Mr. Speaker, I am having a hard time understanding how the minister, who says he is responsible for regional development, can say that that responsibility is conferred to him by the Canadian Constitution.
I am surprised also that the Liberals know their Canadian Constitution. Indeed, judging by their behaviour in the House, one can conclude that they are constantly at odds with the Canadian Constitution, because they are always invading provincial fields of jurisdiction.
I find that reassuring, because a Liberal member has finally started to read his Constitution. In my opinion, this is good news today. That said, I hope he will also ask his colleagues to do the same, particularly all those who, since we came back on October 4, presented bills that fall under provincial jurisdiction.
Last week, the eloquent member for Outremont said that it was high time for his government to take care of federal jurisdictions. I also hope that the eloquent member for Outremont, who seems to have some control over Quebec, will ask his colleagues to read the Constitution. Indeed, at the present time, they do not respect the Constitution. They not only force it on us in 1982, but they do not even respect it.
When there are international and economic conflicts—and I call bilateral agreements that do not work conflict—it is not the textile industries that asked to be in trouble. It is this government which made the decision to remove import quotas two years in advance. When an economic situation is caused by a bilateral agreement or is about international trade, it is federal jurisdiction.
I am asking him if, instead of invading Quebec's fields of jurisdiction, he could look in his own yard and deal with the problems the regions of Quebec are facing because of his government.