Madam Speaker, you may be surprised that I agree to a certain extent with my esteemed colleague opposite. I, too, believe in the parties working together. If it is possible to work together to move forward on bills and motions, we can do it and I believe that our constituents are watching.
However, on the free trade agreement, I must disagree with my esteemed colleague because it hurts our region. People are not just saying it, they are truly worried because aluminum is the economic backbone of our region. Unfortunately, this agreement attacks our aluminum industry and fails to protect it in the same way as it does the steel industry.
I can work with my esteemed colleagues, but I represent Lac-Saint-Jean, and my constituents are watching me and asking me to take action. I cannot just sit back and do nothing. I must get to the bottom of issues and fight for my constituents, because that is what they are asking me to do.
If my colleague were in my place, what would he do?