George Alexander Cruickshank
Liberal
Mr. Cruickshank:
I would not insult anybody by accusing him of being a Rhodes scholar. I would not go that far. This company naturally applied for a route to protect themselves. But I want to repeat this fact. There is an application before the Alberta petroleum commission-I think that is the correct name-and before the Alberta government. The decision will eventually be made by a vote of the Alberta legislature, or by the judgment of the government of the province of Alberta, as to whether a permit will be given to export gas from that province. With that I entirely agree. This company has an application before these two bodies for an all-Canadian route.
As I said, I have every reason to believe that Westcoast Transmission will agree to have it inserted in its charter, provided it is inserted in the charters of all other companies. I have spoken for about fifteen minutes, Mr. Speaker. I have done so because I should like to give some of my colleagues on all sides of the house the privilege of speaking. I am glad that one hon. member from the maritimes has spoken. In this morning's paper there is a speech by an hon. member from the other place, that delightful spot that I hope some day to reach. He asked that some of the injustices that have been perpetrated against the maritimes should be rectified. Many of us from British Columbia have agreed with hon. members in the past and we expect to agree with them in the future, that they may always get a fair deal.
We fought for the prairie provinces when they were suffering during the depression. We fought for justice for the wheat growers and tried to get them a cheaper route. I remember that the people of my riding, and the
Alberta Natural Gas Company people of British Columbia as far as that goes, paid a fair share to build an imaginary railroad up to Churchill when you could pack more grain in the back of my Chevrolet than you will ever get to go over that route. We did not object to that so why should not some of those hon. members get behind us and, as the hon. member for Queens (Mr. McLure) has just said, support the province of British Columbia?
Every hon. member is entitled to his own opinion. I respect the opinion of hon. members and I expect them to respect mine and the opinions of the people I represent. I ask them to respect the opinions of the majority of the people of British Columbia. I have not changed my opinion one bit. Before I conclude my remarks I wish to congratulate you upon the exalted position you are occupying for the first time this evening.
We believe we have a just cause and we are asking for the support of hon. members. I hope that this matter is decided by a recorded vote because I want the privilege of standing up and having my voice recorded, because I believe I am right.