Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Suspension Act  For example, in my riding of Kamouraska-Rivière-du-Loup which would take in the regional municipality of Témiscouata, there would be over 60 municipalities grouped together in four different regional municipalities: Basques, 11 municipalities; Rivière-du-Loup, 16 municipalities; Kamouraska, 18 municipalities; Témiscouata, 20 municipalities. Elected representatives might need longer parliamentary breaks just to travel to the various parts of their ridings. For instance, the population of the riding would increase from 73,747 to more than 88,000 over a really vast area.

Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Suspension Act  We just have to reflect back to October 1992 at which time politics in the country took a dramatic turn for the better. The Canadian people said back then that they were no longer going to be led by the political parties. They were going to have a say in what was going on in the country. They sent out that very clear message. That message can be ignored in the House at our peril.

Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Suspension Act  This area, which is isolated from all other areas with the exception of Ahuntsic, has a large Italian community, which in the process would also be isolated from its natural centre, the Italian parish of Notre-Dame-de-Pompéi. This community would no longer enjoy integrated federal representation. Between this area and its new riding lies the vast Miron quarry dump. Saint-Sulpice, where I live, is faced with a similar situation. The parish is separated from its community organizations, and so forth.

Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Suspension Act  Many of us prepared briefs and speeches for these advertised meetings. Our work is all for naught. The fact is it is no longer an open process but instead, when things are not going their way, the process has been cut off. Another nail in the coffin of openness. In conclusion, I have a couple of proposals that I would like to make to the government.

Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Suspension Act  We make laws, we change laws, we amend laws. Sometimes we even strike laws from the books when we think they no longer represent what Canadians want. However we are not above the law. In our positions as members of this great House, the very cradle of our democracy, we are in positions of great power.

Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Suspension Act  If we put in six new members of Parliament we are going to spend $6 million more every year. If we continue with the process in the longer term we are going to keep adding members to the House of Commons. We would be knocking out those walls and the Reformers would need binoculars to see the Speaker. Therefore time is of the essence.

Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Suspension Act  Yes, I make no bones about it. I think there are real weaknesses in that and I think Beaver River deserves a longer life than it has had. As I mentioned in my remarks the other day, it was a brand new constituency in 1988. Will it just evaporate into thin air? I do have problems with that. We have had negotiations with the government but I have no guarantees.

Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Suspension Act  There were a number of comments hurled across the way to the effect that Elections Canada was a partisan body. Its members have strong affiliations to another political party which is no longer recognized in the House. The hon. member for Beaver River has been a member since 1989. She has run in two elections and a byelection. Could she comment at some length on her experiences with Elections Canada as a candidate and as a lone member of Parliament for a good deal of time?

Erik John Spicer  Speaker, I rise on behalf of my party today as well and offer congratulations to Mr. Spicer for a long and remarkable career in this place, certainly longer than many have been able to celebrate. I have known Erik Spicer for five years in my capacity as the member of Parliament for Beaver River. Of course, in my unique position in the last Parliament I must say it was wonderful to have somebody to call on who knew what they were doing in Parliament.

Canadian Broadcasting Corporation  Need I remind the commissioners of the CRTC and the Liberal government that there is still no all-news service in French? Need I recall that the CBC's French service can no longer afford to pay its correspondents abroad? Mr. Speaker, we members of the Bloc Quebecois are opposed to any political interference in the internal affairs of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.

Income Tax Act  The Bloc Quebecois is therefore in favour of amending the Income Tax Act so that child support payments are no longer considered taxable income for their recipients.

Interim Supply  Madam Speaker, there have been discussions among parties and I now seek unanimous consent for the motion standing in my name, motion M-172, presently in ninth place on the order of priority of Private Members' Business, to be withdrawn. This motion is no longer relevant in light of recent developments in the business community.

Supply  I also see the need to find other sources. I believe that we must redefine the question of work now. Work is no longer what we knew. Now we talk about technology and support. You are right. We also talked about child care, for which, as you know, the Liberal Party and the government promised to create 50,000 spaces when economic growth in Canada allows.

Supply  Well planned spending on this new type of infrastructure offers the potential for immediate job creation in the short term, while it is being built. As well, there will be a payoff in the longer term through the support of higher levels of economic activity when it is operational. To conclude, the Government of Canada has carefully examined the international situation with regard to growth and job creation.

Supply  The truth is that we have prepared a balanced approach to job creation. Government can no longer do it all when it comes to job creation. There is not a bottomless pit of money to throw at the problem. This government is using its scarce resources to stimulate the economy and prod businesses to create jobs.