Finance committee  It's been tried in the U.K., where it's sort of insolvent, and that's a more recent experiment. The problem is that it's not clear that you can insure this risk. Because the main problem with this insurance is that if you try to charge the ones with the biggest risks, you find they're the ones who can least afford to pay, and this is a real problem when you have an insurance system where the big bill goes to the organization least able to pay the big bill.

Business of Supply  I am proud to serve under a prime minister who actually appointed the first sitting senator who was elected by the people of my province, the province of Alberta. The Prime Minister has made it clear that he will continue to respond and reflect on the will of different provinces as they elect those senators. The province of Alberta will continue that process, I believe, this October, and will bring forward another slate of senators-in-waiting.

Business of Supply  He is obviously a federalist, and obviously a Quebecker, but above all, he is a Conservative. That is clear in the way he is trying to steal all the credit for the nation building that happened before he was around. When he said that the Conservative Party had made a massive transfer to Quebec, that was not the whole truth.

Business of Supply  With that in mind, I am pleased to respond to the motion brought forward by the hon. member for Joliette, who incorrectly accused our government of diminishing Quebec's political weight in the House of Commons by introducing a bill on demographic representation. It is very clear that demographic representation in the House is based on the underlying principle of representation by population. I defend that principle as a member from Quebec in the House, but generations of Quebeckers have defended it before me.

Business of Supply  Why would Quebec see its representation go from 24.3% to 22.7% of all seats when it has 23.2% of the population? In our view, the Conservative strategy is clear. Not only will these new seats allow the election of a majority government, but they will also continue to isolate Quebec and to marginalize the Quebec nation. That is why it is unacceptable to the Bloc Québécois.

Business of Supply  By electing a majority of Bloc Québécois members to the House of Commons, Quebec is making it very clear exactly how much importance the House needs to give the Quebec nation. Obviously, if I had the choice, I would prefer to be sitting in the Parliament of the country of Quebec, but that will come one day.

Finance committee  It's a difficult question to answer because the data available on private retirement saving in Canada do not provide a clear picture of how much Canadians have saved for retirement. Nevertheless, there is substantial reason to believe that Canadians working in the private sector are not saving enough for retirement and are not well prepared for retirement.

Business of Supply  In the meantime, however, we must ensure that Quebeckers are well represented on the basis of their weight and their distinctiveness, for they form a nation. The motion unanimously passed by the Quebec National Assembly is very clear. It is the same as the motion we are debating today. It is important for those listening to us to understand that this is the unanimous request of all elected representatives of the Quebec nation's highest democratic institution.

Business of Supply  I do not understand why they would come back to 24.35% today when they turned down a guarantee of 25%. I should also make it clear that, ultimately, it is Quebec's right to fight. But the very reason for that party's existence is to do away with all of Quebec's representation in the House. Let us move to the government's bill that will lead to discussions in committee.

Taxation  Mr. Speaker, let us be clear. Bill C-288 would grant a temporary special tax subsidy for new graduates taking employment in so-called depressed regions. How are they defined in the bill? They are so poorly defined in the bill that Fort McMurray would qualify as a depressed region according to Bill C-288.

Automotive Industry  Mr. Speaker, let me very clear. The Government of Canada will work to ensure that all legal measures and the full force of Canadian law are used and that all measures are taken to ensure that Canadians are safe. The issue that the member discusses is under investigation by my department.

Firearms Registry  The Liberal leader is bending over backward to secure guilty pleas from law-abiding farmers and duck hunters. The choice is clear for all MPs, especially those who voted for the bill at second reading. We either vote to scrap the bill, or we keep it.

Arts and Culture  The Union des consommateurs and the main organizations that defend artists' rights are calling for levies on digital players and eventually on new technology. A simple amendment to the Copyright Act would quickly clear up the issue. How can the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages claim to know the needs of artists and consumers better than they themselves?

Afghanistan  It is a damning indictment of Canada on the world stage. When is the government going to call a public inquiry and clear Canada's name internationally?

Health  Mr. Speaker, during the committee appearance it was made very clear by the officials as to the process that was followed in examining the proposals that had been received. An independent study had been commissioned and it was determined that a facility was unnecessary.