Pre-Budget Consultations  Indeed that is the system which we started with in the early 1960s with the Carter commission and its proposals for reform in the Canadian tax system. Progressively over the years, we have got away from that. What the member for Broadview-Greenwood and others who are advocating a simplification of the tax system in various ways are saying is that by making the tax system more comprehensive we can lower the rates and burden on the middle class and all Canadians.

Pre-Budget Consultations  As I listened to the debate today I heard a lot of really good ideas, some good suggestions, some crazy ones, but all in all some good suggestions as to how we can make government work better. I do hear from the Reform Party this idea that cuts are the only answer; the only solution is to cut, cut, cut. There are other opportunities available to us. My colleague from Dartmouth alluded to it. We have to re-invent how we run government.

Pre-Budget Consultations  I understand and am very pleased to be part of the committee that will examine the whole range of social security reform in Canada including the unemployment insurance system. I believe there is work to be done in that area to make those programs more streamlined, more simplified and less inhibiting on growth and job creation.

Pre-Budget Consultations  Mr. Speaker, I welcome the hon. member's comments. He may have a couple of speeches confused. In my address I did not address the tax loophole issue although that certainly is a concern that I, many other members and also Canadians have. With regard to his comments regarding the $100,000 or $500,000 capital gains exemption, our party has looked at those programs as well as the RRSP program as being an effective tool to help Canadians to plan security for later years in life so as not to be a burden on Canadians through needing assistance in other areas.

Pre-Budget Consultations  Mr. Speaker, I feel that was a supportive comment by the hon. member and therefore I do not feel I have any need to add to his comments.

Pre-Budget Consultations  Mr. Speaker, in response to the hon. member, I would like to clarify a couple of points the member asked about. I did not say that we did not support or justify spending on infrastructure. The government has $126 billion. It should priorize spending. If it means including infrastructure, by all means it is the government's responsibility now to decide how that money is spent efficiently and effectively.

Pre-Budget Consultations  Mr. Speaker, I found myself strangely agreeing with some of the comments made by the hon. member for Yukon, which did surprise me. However, there are a couple of points I would like to make. First of all, it was mentioned by the hon. member that it cost $17,500 to have someone unemployed.

Pre-Budget Consultations  According to the Bloc Quebecois, to put the government's financial house in order means, first of all, introducing tax reforms that aim for greater fairness by eliminating tax loopholes enjoyed by taxpayers with high incomes. The hon. member for Saint-Hyacinthe-Bagot spoke at length on the subject earlier today.

Pre-Budget Consultations  Mr. Speaker, I want to compliment the Reform Party speakers in their philosophy of bringing the views of their constituents on to the floor of the House. We saw them try to do this in question period. I wish they would do more of this in their debates.

Pre-Budget Consultations  Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for his question. We too went through similar exercises not only in the party but in our constituency. I held very similar public meetings on this subject. The process was very similar to that outlined by the hon. member before I was being paid to be the member of Parliament.

Pre-Budget Consultations  On the other hand, new objectives have been added to those of the 60s and 70s such as economic and social policy reform of third world countries; human resources development; the promotion of human rights; sustainable development and environmental protection; finally, delivery channels, program proliferation and CIDA personnel rotation between countries every two to three years.

Indian Affairs  Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Prime Minister. As a lawyer and a former Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development can you provide the House today with a legal definition of inherent right to self-government as it relates to federal authority?

Indian Affairs  Mr. Speaker, I have a question I would like to ask the Prime Minister. Can the Prime Minister provide us with his definition of inherent right to self-government as it applies to federal authority?

Kemano River Project  Mr. Speaker, the project is not without cost if it goes through. If this project is as environmentally benign as Alcan would have us believe, surely it would not mind guaranteeing the west coast fishing industry compensation if its predictions do not come true and fish stocks on the Fraser River decline as a direct result of the Nechako diversion.

Kemano River Project  The Kemano project is a $1.5 billion project in current dollars and those dollars have already been spent. Given the Reform Party's well-known and often expressed interest in the deficit, I think the member would want me to acknowledge that the terms of the 1987 settlement agreement are such that the Government of Canada, the Government of British Columbia together with Alcan entered into an agreement where any move to slow or stop the project could potentially see the two governments liable for that delay or stoppage.