Department Of Agriculture Act  As it is, much of what the federal government does hurts rural communities now, for example with Canada Post and with railways. In many cases, the left hand does not know what the right hand is doing and I would like the hon. member to say whether the federal government should take a different approach.

Food Distribution In Canada's North  The northern food mail program is strongly supported by the communities it serves, by the food distribution companies, by the merchants that form part of the distribution system and by the consumers. Canada Post, which ships food products and other essential goods by air, has been a willing and vital partner in the program. In spite of all that, I commend the hon. member for Saint-Jean for urging the government to reconsider the current northern food distribution system.

Food Distribution In Canada's North  This project would create 55 direct and indirect jobs in the Great North, particularly in Iqaluit, which is not insignificant, because in a context where 35 to 40 per cent of our people are without jobs, 55 jobs would be very welcomed in the Great North. There is also the whole issue of the federal government that is already paying a lot. Canada Post-we are talking about the famous local transportation-is paying $20 million a year for food distribution, while the study that we have here suggests that we may be able to do the equivalent for $9.8 million.

Petitions  Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36, I have the honour to table a petition from a group of senior citizens in my riding who are calling upon the Canada Post Corporation to restore a service which has been modified.

Bankruptcy Act  Instead, the government pays 23 per cent more than the CBC, Canadian National Railways, Northern Telecom and Canada Post. How can this be? Moves are handled by a four member committee representing National Defence, the RCMP and Supply and Services. This committee has its own bureaucracy of over 105 public servants, many of them located in defence headquarters.

Petitions  The first one, signed by 89 residents of the rural districts of Rockglen and Vanguard, Saskatchewan, petitions the government to require Canada Post to rescind its proposed sevenfold increase in the cost of return postage on a book dispatched on interlibrary loan. I concur with the petition, Mr. Speaker.

Billy Bishop  The Bishop home is now a museum dedicated to the memory of Canada's most highly decorated serviceman, the winner of Canada's first air Victoria Cross. At the ceremony a representative of Canada Post, Mr. Tom Creech, announced that a postage stamp in Bishop's honour will be unveiled in Owen Sound on August 12 of this year. It is entirely fitting that the man who at the end of the first world war had shot down more enemy aircraft than any other British pilot be recognized with a stamp issue.

Municipal Grants  The decision to lift the freeze that applies to properties owned by agent crown corporations such as Canada Post and the CBC is retroactive to January 1, 1994. The federal government's objective was to remove a major irritant in relations between municipalities and the federal government. This is the area in which municipalities have not collected their fair share of realty taxes since 1992.

Supply  The current government has indeed declared a moratorium on post office closures, but it has not committed itself to reopening the post offices which were closed by its predecessor, and people in my riding who were contacted by my office yesterday and who are working on this issue are not at all sure that the post offices will remain open once the moratorium is lifted. On the contrary, some have told us that Canada Post's current lobby would ultimately succeed. VIA Rail is another example. The government boasts about its infrastructure program, but at the same time, it keeps dismantling other important infrastructures such as VIA Rail when we all know how railways, in regions like ours, do make a vital contribution to the Eastern Quebec economy.

Postal Services Review Act  I would also be remiss if I did not mention that I presented a petition earlier today, which I fully support, allowing senior citizens in a large complex to mail a letter. Why Canada Post can send a truckload of mail to a large complex, drop it off, but not pick any up at the very same location is beyond belief. I support this bill by the member for Glengarry-Prescott-Russell.

Petitions  Paul Street for the convenience of the residents of the building and the surrounding residential district. I fail to understand the role of Canada Post in not providing the opportunity for people to be able to mail a letter with some convenience. I fully support this petition.

Budget Implementation Act  This signal alone would bring in equity capital for businesses and the government could get out of businesses it knows nothing about such as the CBC, Petro-Canada and Canada Post. The CBC presently pays millions of dollars to broadcast American comedies. Mr. Spicer stated: "The network is merely tinkering with this direction in the face of crisis". Where is the accountability or the justification?

Canada Student Financial Assistance Act  I am pleased the government recognizes that it needs reforming to make it more effective. However it is unfortunate that the government sees the CSLP as the only problem with Canada's post-secondary educational system. Any student loans program should preserve and enhance the quality and accessibility of post-secondary education, but Bill C-28 fails to do so to any meaningful extent.

Human Rights  A month ago, an adjudicator at the labour court in the Vancouver area handed down a ruling ordering Canada Post Corporation to guarantee the social benefits of the same-sex spouse of one of its employees. We heard that the Minister of Justice did not intend to appeal this ruling, which caused considerable consternation in the gay community and among all those with a concern for human rights.

Warfield Postal Service  The postal codes for Warfield are unique. No change or new costs would be necessary except to have Canada Post recognize the rights of the citizens of Warfield to have their own name on their mail. In conclusion, I would like to make it clear that people of Warfield are not looking for a post office or any change in service, only their own identity.