Supply  Mr. Speaker, I have three children at home. I am used to talking when others are talking, so it is not really a problem for me and there are children here too. The other comment I make arising out of the remarks of the member for Hochelaga-Maisonneuve is the notion which appears to underlie his basic thesis which is that we should give money to individual firms in order to assist them in converting.

Canada Oil And Gas Operations Act  Speaker, Bill C-6 before the House today is in fact a piece of legislation the previous government did not have time to pass and which died several times on the Order Paper. Essentially, this bill only gives legal basis to the role currently played by the National Energy Board ever since its merger with the Canada Oil and Gas Lands Administration in 1991. As my colleague from Matapédia-Matane said earlier, the Bloc Quebecois approves the principle of the bill and will vote for it at the second reading stage.

Borrowing Authority Act, 1994-95  I came to this country at the age of 5, having been born on the beautiful Mediterranean island of Malta. I am the first Maltese born Canadian to sit as a member in the House. I am very proud and thankful to be a Canadian. At the commencement of the 35th Parliament each of us brings along an agenda that embodies a vision of Canada.

Supply  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the whip of the Reform Party I would like to advise the House that pursuant to Standing Order 43(2) our speakers on the motion will be dividing their time. First my congratulations to the Bloc for introducing a motion that deals with trying to come to terms with the problems of money and lack of money in the country.

Stratford Festival  Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the Stratford Festival, Canada's national English language theatre, on the conclusion of its 1994 season. All 10 plays enjoyed outstanding critical reviews and for the first time since 1990 the season was a financial success. The festival realized in excess of $17 million in box office receipts, $3.5 million through fund raising and received only $900,000 in federal grants.

Bankruptcy Act  Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. member for his question and for the concern he has shown for the situation of Indo-Chinese boat people throughout southeast Asia. As the minister has already stated, Canada has also played an important role in the development of the comprehensive plan of action in 1989.

Speech From The Throne  Madam Speaker, first I would like to congratulate my colleague on his appointment to the cabinet. Having worked with him for the last 10 years I know he will serve the people of his constituency and the country well. I should also say how deeply honoured I am to be often mistaken for the hon. minister and it is only because we share the same barber.

National Defence  Mr. Speaker, as always, it is very hard to figure out what the Bloc wants. First, one member tells us not to buy military equipment because it is a waste, and then one of his colleagues says that we must save the defence industry. It is always a little hard for me to understand quite where this party is coming from.

Executive Salaries  moved: That this House support the principle of disclosing the salary ranges of all senior executives of crown corporations and publicly traded companies incorporated under federal charter. Mr. Speaker, in this motion I am asking the House to support the principle of disclosing the salary ranges of all senior executives of crown corporations and publicly traded companies incorporated under federal charter.

The Budget  In the metropolitan area, 18.5 per cent of households live below the poverty line. And with the first Martin budget, Montreal has become the capital of despair. During the past ten years, poverty has been gaining ground, and not only undermining the moral of Montreal's residents but also their ability to face the major challenges it must overcome to be competitive on the market.

The Budget  In this, my first speech in the House of Commons, I would like to congratulate the Speaker on his election and you, Madam Speaker, on your appointment. I would also like to express my sincere thanks to the people of St.

Decade Of The Brain Act  I am pleased to introduce debate on Bill C-239, a bill that would declare the 1990s the decade of the brain. First, I would like to recognize and thank all the individuals and organizations that have since early in the decade assisted in this legislative endeavour. The legislation I am speaking on today is the duplicate of a private member's bill introduced in 1992 by the previous member of Parliament for Niagara Falls.

Federal-Provincial Fiscal Arrangements And Federal Post-Secondary Education And Health Contributions Act  Madam Speaker, it is my pleasure to participate in the debate on Bill C-3. My sense of the bill is that it has assisted the provinces of Canada in stabilizing their budgetary plans over the next five years. I have an attraction toward supporting the bill, in particular as it applies not to just to all of our country but as it applies to Saskatchewan where I come from.

Speech From The Throne  Speaker. Let us talk about federal transfer payments and established programs financing. We must first recognize that the finance minister's commitment to improve equalization payments every five years is certainly reassuring for all provinces. But we must not confuse equalization payments with transfer payments.

Speech From The Throne  Mr. Speaker, first my congratulations to the member for Brandon-Souris for his first remarks in the House. It was an excellent speech. My question concerns the summation of his speech where he told us about his Liberal vision for Canada which included equality, regional development and various other things.