The Economy  Before Christmas the Governor of the Bank of Canada and I sat down and set out our inflationary targets for the next five years. Those inflationary targets we did in a very short period of time, something that took the previous government two and one-half years to arrive at. Those inflation targets are among the most disciplined of any of the industrial countries in the western world.

Agriculture  Mr. Speaker, the standing committee on agriculture has just completed hearings on whether to allow the use of BST in Canada. The entire committee process was conducted in public and open session, including the work on the recommendations and final report. The work of the committee has confirmed the new role of parliamentary committees promised by our party during the last election.

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome  Mr. Speaker, Ms. Dawn Gardner is a Saskatchewan health journalist who is concerned about alcohol abuse on the part of pregnant women. Fetal alcohol syndrome is defined as a random pattern of mental, physical and behavioural defects which may develop in the unborn child when the mother consumes alcohol during the course of her pregnancy.

Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Suspension Act  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to have the opportunity to participate in this important debate on the motion for second reading and reference to the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs of Bill C-18, an act to suspend the operation of the Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Act.

Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Suspension Act  At present there are five ridings in eastern Quebec: the riding of Bonaventure-Îles-de-la-Madeleine which is represented by a Liberal MP, Mr. Patrick Gagnon; the riding of Gaspé which is represented by Bloc MP Mr. Yvan Bernier; the riding of Matapédia-Matane held by Mr. René Canuel, the riding of Rimouski-Témiscouata held by Mrs.

Official Languages Act  Mr. Speaker, these matters come before the relevant parliamentary committees during the studies of the estimates that relate to the official languages policy. In particular, the programs for which the President of the Treasury Board is responsible are studied by the relevant committees.

Official Languages Act  Mr. Speaker, after listening to the hon. member's question, it is very clear that it continues to be business as usual for the Reform Party.

Democracy In Mexico  Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Following the assassination of presidential candidate Luis Colosio, does the Canadian government still have confidence in Mexico's stability?

Via Rail  Mr. Speaker, the document to which my hon. colleague is referring is an internal VIA Rail document. There is no question that the negotiations currently under way will determine to a large degree where service cuts will be made. If there is no dramatic improvement in VIA Rail's ability to provide service within the budgets allocated by the federal government, then some major changes will certainly be made.

Rights Of Francophones  Mr. Speaker, what I recognize above all is the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. I recognize the Supreme Court decisions defining these rights. I believe these rights should be enforced and respected. That is precisely why this government recently introduced a Court Challenges Program to help right the wrongs done to those who feel their rights have been violated.

Publishing Industry  Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Canadian Heritage. The Canadian publishing industry represents a $2.2 billion industry which directly employs over 12,000 Canadians. Many of these individuals are in my riding. However this is one industry that has been battered by recession, by globalization and by foreign competition.

House Of Commons  Mr. Speaker, the hon. member forgets that with his support and the support of the Official Opposition this House passed a major package of parliamentary reform measures. Is he reflecting on his own decision? I doubt he wants to do that. Furthermore if the member wants to worry about shutting off debate, why is he wasting the time of this House today with repeated quorum calls blanking out the chances of members even of his own party to debate?

Unemployment Insurance  Mr. Speaker, unfortunately the hon. member of the opposition is beginning to suffer from an acute case of selective memory. The fact of the matter is we did not just announce one program for New Brunswick. We have also announced a major program that will affect young people. We announced an additional $20 million for young people, 10,000 more spots for summer employment.

Monetary Policy  Mr. Speaker, our objection when the Conservative government was in power was the really savage way they wrestled with inflation to bring it down. But we paid the price and we are there now! After making such hard-won gains, now is not the time to give them up.

Government Expenditures  Mr. Speaker, perhaps the member ought to be a bit more specific in terms of what grants she is opposing. I read Mr. Corcoran's column. Is she opposing the infrastructure program? Is she opposing the program that every single province in the country has endorsed? Is she opposing the infrastructure program that every major municipality has requested?