Labour Disputes  Mr. Speaker, I find that question exceedingly strange from a spokesperson for a party which claims its great fealty and belief in the private sector system is so opposed to collective bargaining which is a free decision between business and labour to arrive at a proper settlement.

Postal Service  Mr. Speaker, I believe the hon. member is being sincere in his representations, but I wish to inform him that members on this side of the House, particularly those who represent rural ridings, have been working diligently with me, as the minister responsible, to ensure that rural post offices do not close and that we find other ways to enhance their viability in the different communities across the country.

Postal Service  Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for his question. He knows that in November I placed a moratorium on post office closings and not one post office across this country has been closed since. I want to tell the hon. member that we are reviewing the situation. Discussions are taking place.

Government Expenditure  Seeing is believing, Mr. Speaker.

Government Expenditure  I am sure, Mr. Speaker, that the hon. member would not want me to foreclose the debate but really wants to see the debate continue. Under those circumstances I am not going to make specific comments on specific issues. I really want to hear what members opposite and the Canadian people have to say.

Government Expenditure  The first time in the Canadian Parliament.

Government Expenditure  First time in the Canadian Parliament says someone who has been here since Confederation.

Government Expenditure  That was a low blow.

Government Expenditure  Mr. Speaker, that is a somewhat generous definition of a supplementary question. As I have said many times before in this House, we are engaged in an unprecedented degree of consultation. We are really going to have a very unique day in the House tomorrow when members of Parliament for probably the first time will have the opportunity to engage in a pre-budget consultation.

Government Expenditure  Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Finance. The Liberal Red Book promised to balance increased spending for new programs with cuts to existing programs. To date, however, spending cuts through the elimination of the helicopter contract are much less than the announced spending increases in the following programs: $2 billion for the infrastructure program; $100 million for a residential rehabilitation assistance program; $100 million for the Canadian youth services corps; $5 million over four years toward the national literacy program and $900 million in equalization payments.

Government Expenditure  You should read the Red Book.

Government Expenditure  Mr. Speaker, the hon. member opposite lists the items in the Red Book with the same degree of pride that we on this side of the House and all Canadians do. Suffice it to say that the statement we made, that the items listed will be paid for through reallocation of existing spending will be met and the member opposite will see that in my budget.

Indian Affairs  Mr. Speaker, I am repeating myself. It should be clear that Canadian skies are not up for negotiation. That is part of the Canadian umbrella. That is part of what we are talking about: self-government negotiations within one Canada. I have said that the skies of Canada are open to all nations, all reserves and all Canadians.

Job Creation  Mr. Speaker, my hon. friend forgets that even before the House opened we announced a massive national program of infrastructure to create tens of thousands of jobs across Canada. I expect if my hon. friend keeps in touch with the situation he will see other measures put on the Order Paper before too long to carry out our commitment to get the economy going and create a lot more jobs for Canadians.

Pre-Budget Conferences  Mr. Speaker, what really came out of these conferences was that Canadians with different perspectives sat down at the table. They were forced to make the kinds of trade-offs and have the kinds of discussions that governments and finance ministers have to go through. The problem with private consultation, the kind that was done before, is that individuals come in and give a single perspective and then walk away, claiming they have made their point.