Federal-Provincial Relations  Mr. Speaker, if the provinces of Canada are limited to carrying out the orders, what about the German L«nders, the Swiss cantons, the American states, the Australian states, all federated entities that dream about the powers the Canadian provinces have?

Federal-Provincial Relations  Mr. Speaker, if, for once, just for once, the official opposition members were to look at the problems we have not through their glasses which make them see plots everywhere, but with the best interests of Canadians in mind, they would have to agree that we have a wonderful federation that gives us the best standard of living in the world and that we can work together to improve it even further.

First Ministers Conference  Mr. Speaker, I repeat to the hon. member that the sole aspect of the Constitution that will be discussed is to fulfil article 49 and it is to discuss the process by which we will have an open discussion among Canadians about the amending formula.

First Ministers Conference  Mr. Speaker, the purpose of this meeting is certainly not to discuss the Constitution except for the specific matter of section 49. The hon. member mentioned Premier Klein. I quote Premier Klein. He said the agenda of this conference is a good one, that we finally have some meat and potato items on the agenda that affect social policy reform, labour training and governmental harmonization and environmental assessment.

Federal-Provincial Relations  Mr. Speaker, I assume that my hon. colleague, the hon. member, is aware that the unemployment insurance fund, as it used to be known, is financed by all Canadians. Money is transferred from certain provinces to others. The Government of Canada has the responsibility of ensuring that these moneys are administered responsibly.

Federal-Provincial Relations  Mr. Speaker, is the hon. member trying to say that unemployment insurance is not a federal responsibility? If so, he had better take a refresher course on the Constitution.

Federal-Provincial Relations  Mr. Speaker, I invite the Leader of the Opposition to make a bit of an effort. What we are saying is quite simple. We can keep on repeating it. We have the most decentralized federation there is. The Government of Quebec has certain responsibilities. It has a hard time assuming them all the time, and we are offering government assistance to ensure that this responsibility is carried out as well as possible.

Federal-Provincial Relations  No, Mr. Speaker.

Federal-Provincial Relations  Mr. Speaker, it is a framework where each province will be able to exercise the responsibilities it wishes and where the Government of Canada will have its own responsibilities on this Canada-wide issue. Whether it involves ensuring a movement of workers within the country or whether it involves ensuring the various governments help each other in situations of exceptional crisis, the Government of Canada has its own particular responsibilities.

The Constitution  Mr. Speaker, the agenda is full of good things for Canadians. Whether it is the economic union, the social union, or the rebalancing of the federation, we have a full list of very important topics that the first ministers will discuss seriously. In the end, we will have an improved federation.

The Constitution  Mr. Speaker, I thought the letter was crystal clear regarding that subject. It is not clear whether we have met the commitment under section 49. Our discussions on June 21 would permit us to consider how we might move forward in the search for an amending formula that would find wide approval from Canadians.

The Constitution  Mr. Speaker, the purpose is exactly the reverse. We have an open process to discuss a better amending formula for all Canadians. This is the purpose. The first ministers will decide. We hope to have the collaboration of the hon. member.

First Ministers' Conference  Mr. Speaker, as far as manpower training is concerned, a general framework was proposed and very well received across Canada. I understand this may bother the official opposition, since it does not want to see the Canadian federation work better all the time. On the contrary, Bloc members want to break up the country.

First Ministers' Conference  Mr. Speaker, in Mr. Martin's last budget, it is indicated that-

First Ministers' Conference  I am sorry, Mr. Speaker. The last budget of the Minister of Finance mentioned a minimum amount of $11.1 billion for the Canada social transfer. We are committed to allowing the provinces to do long term planning as regards their budget. We made this commitment in spite of current economic difficulties.