Pre-Budget Conferences  Mr. Speaker, with reference to the $800,000 let me say that the constitutional conferences put on by the previous government cost $7.5 million. These conferences were put on by these institutes. Let me tell you the food we got was very good but it was not very expensive. Perhaps that is why the hon. member was not there.

Social Programs  Mr. Speaker, in the last five years we spent here, Canadians across the country told us: You do not listen to us enough. And we told them, now that we are in office, we will work in co-operation with all Canadians and all levels of government. The national forum on health will do exactly that.

Social Programs  Mr. Speaker, as we have said many times, we are certainly aware of the real financial pressures for all kinds of programs and for all kinds of initiatives. As I said in answer to an earlier question, we believe that by taking a systematic approach, by taking a look at the various ways government can collaborate with the provinces, with the private sector and with interest groups can we redesign our social security programs to make them more efficient but more particularly to give the kinds of opportunities, options and choices for people to re-enter the labour market.

Social Programs  Mr. Speaker, as I said this morning, if we are going to get Canadians in all provinces and all regions back to work, we must do it systematically. We must do it through stimulation of the economy, by creating work through infrastructure and by encouraging small business. We must do it by looking at our employment, training and income security programs.

Social Programs  Mr. Speaker, it is very unfortunate that the hon. member makes hasty pre-judgments before there is any opportunity to hear from Canadians. The whole reason for having a Parliament is to listen to what Canadians have to say. We have been listening to Canadians and they have said that they do want changes because the present system is not working.

Taxation  Mr. Speaker, our position has been very clear. Whether we are talking about different ways to close the loopholes in our tax system or about subsidies to corporations or individuals, the watch word is fairness. And that will be the purpose of this budget. If the Bank of Canada's report contains some interesting points, we will certainly look at them.

Mount Albert And District Lions Club  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in the House to congratulate the Mount Albert and District Lions Club on the occasion of its 25th anniversary. My family and I live in the village of Mount Albert. We are continually impressed by the contribution the Mount Albert Lions Club makes to our community.

Social Security System  Mr. Speaker, I listened with great interest to the speech of the parliamentary secretary and to speeches from both sides of the House earlier in the day. It seems to me that recently there has been a good deal of criticism of Confederation from the other side of the House, addressing some of its so-called weaknesses.

Speech From The Throne  The federal contribution to the infrastructure program will be very tangible and very significant. We are providing the provinces and municipalities with a total of $2 billion over the next two years. For the most part the federal contribution will be matched equally by the provinces and municipalities.

Speech From The Throne  Madam Speaker, I want to thank the hon. member for her comments and her questions. At this time I would like to extend an invitation to her to return to Newfoundland. I have to say that during the election one of the common themes was the need for employment. Almost every constituent I met asked if this government would provide more employment.

Speech From The Throne  Madam Speaker, just a short comment. Congratulations to the hon. member for Wild Rose, a marvellous name for a constituency and for a very impassioned speech. I would like to point out that as we look through the total throne speech there are only very short references to all the important aspects this government will be focusing on.

Speech From The Throne  Madam Speaker, I want to thank my colleague for his passionate address with respect to a very important issue. I have three brief questions that would perhaps help the discussion. He pointed out if my memory serves me correctly that 32 people have been killed by 23 individuals who had been paroled.

Speech From The Throne  Madam Speaker, I appreciate the speech of the hon. member and his concern for a balanced approach to forest resources. However at one point he said that timber resources belong to B.C. and not the federal government which obviously represents the people of this country. Technically under the British North America Act my hon. friend is correct.

Questions On The Order Paper  Mr. Speaker, I would request that all questions be allowed to stand.

The Late Jean-Louis Leduc  Mr. Speaker, Mr. Leduc was a member here, for a few months in the opposition and then on the government side. He was a wise man and, as his successor said, a most pleasant companion. I doubt that many members in this House were as friendly with everyone. He was not very partisan.