The Budget  Moody's has the federal government's rating under review because of the size of the debt in the mid-term and the government's lack of control over the situation. The decision Quebecers must make is becoming increasingly clear, and became even clearer yesterday. Staying within the federal fold in the years to come pretty much boils down to this: fewer and fewer federal services and benefits; more and more offloading of deficit problems onto the provinces, which will ultimately result in tax hikes, because it is the same taxpayer; more bad news year after year; a reduction in the Quebec government's ability to do something about job creation, to put in place a plan to revitalize the economy, bring about more jobs and growth in all regions of Quebec, because we do not know what will hit us next with federal decisions.

Trade  Speaker, I was asked by many members on this side to raise that question with the President of the United States. I mentioned it to him and made it very clear that in our view there was no problem at all. It is an area where there is a perfect balance of trade. There is no surplus on either side. Therefore, we do not understand why the United States would like to undo what is working very well at this moment.

Members Of Parliament Pensions  Mr. Speaker, it has been made quite clear that when the pension bill is approved by this Parliament there will be 60 days that members will have to consider that, including hon. colleagues in the third party. When it comes to showing leadership we have cut taxpayer contribution to this pension plan by fully one-third, $3.3 million, and we are showing leadership in expenditure reduction.

Province Of Quebec  It is also likely to be partly responsible for the Liberal's failure to properly deal with the deficit for fear of upsetting Quebec. If the Parti Quebecois does not call the referendum with a clear question on separation within its own 1995 timetable, I call on the Prime Minister to hold a federal referendum in Quebec to settle this issue by year's end. This uncertainty must not continue.

Firearms Act  Currently under Bill C-68 there will not be a charge for sustenance hunters to obtain a firearms licence. However, there are no clear guidelines on how fees will be applied in registering firearms and the transferring of ownership of guns. Through consultations with First Nations, Metis and Inuit, it is my hope that an amendment can be made to eliminate the cost of transferring and registration of firearms by sustenance hunters, as these costs would be an economic hardship on people who cannot afford to buy their food and use their firearms as a tool to feed themselves and their communities.

Young Offenders Act  On this subject, like my colleagues, I will quote from the conclusions set out in the brief presented to the standing committee on justice by the Quebec Bar Association. In essence, it said: "It is very clear that Bill C-37 was introduced in response to pressures by citizens demanding to be better protected through a more effective fight against serious crimes but repression did not appear to be the solution, and for good reasons we might add.

Young Offenders Act  After Bill C-37 was tabled, Quebec's National Assembly gave almost unanimous support to a motion sending a very clear message to the federal Minister of Justice: "Let us continue to address our problems in our own way". There was also a general outcry from experts such as psychoeducators, criminologists, specialized lawyers and social workers.

Canadian Volunteer Service Medal For United Nations Peacekeeping Act  It surveys the total population of potential recipients of honours. The committee makes its recommendations on the basis of certain clear principles. One is the requirement that people be honoured equally in relation to their contribution and that no one be overlooked. Another function of the honours system is to avoid debasing the coinage of honours by duplication or by the indiscriminate authorization of awards.

Social Security System  Do not prejudge our ideas that may be interpreted in so-called code words, because I choose to speak in clear, concise, simple English. There is no other meaning that is contained in these clear, concise words. The Reform Party supports child care programs that subsidize financial need, not the method of child care chosen and that subsidize children and parents, not institutions and professionals.

Social Security System  Going back to at least World War II, there has existed in this country an unwritten but very clear social contract between Canadians and their government. This contract essentially says that on the one hand Canadians will tend to pay more for government than perhaps their counterparts in the U.S. and other nations, but on the other hand, in return for this we as Canadians and as a government have a responsibility to ensure that we will not allow individual Canadians to fall below a certain level.

Social Security System  It is clear that a fundamental change in our social programs must occur if we are to effectively put people back to work and reduce the deficit. As a former executive from industry, I would like to focus my remarks on education and training and the importance of co-operation between business, industry, government and the educators in setting priorities for change.

Cigarette Smuggling  Mr. Speaker, it would be very helpful if we could get a clear position from the opposition. The other day, the health critic made it clear to the Minister of National Health and Welfare that he did not want tax rates to be reduced. It would also be very helpful if the Leader of the Opposition asked his members not to join demonstrations with individuals who are breaking the law in Canada.

Cigarette Smuggling  Speaker, the hon. member for Argenteuil-Papineau, to whom the Prime Minister alluded, made it clear that he dissociated himself from any civil disobedience. He made this quite clear. However, in the Liberal caucus we hear voices telling us where to look and who these people are and that the Solicitor General knows nothing, although he has access to the RCMP.

Pre-Budget Consultations  There are many reasons for this such as an ever increasing aging population that consumes over 70 per cent of the health care dollar; technologies of intervention and equipment which are getting more and more expensive all the time; and new diseases such as AIDS which are very expensive to treat are raising their ugly heads. For all of these reasons and many more it is clear that health care in Canada is living not just on borrowed time but on borrowed money. The health care crisis is a result again of dwindling funds and escalating costs. The problem is clear.

Pre-Budget Consultations  These people who, so far, have been living mainly off their passion, must not be the victims of the clear-cutting measures taken by the government; the latter must provide them with the means to overcome the crisis which it will impose upon them. Performers make us dream; they make us cry; they make us laugh.