Mr. Samuel Boulanger (Drummond-Arihabaska):

Mr. Speaker, I do not share the opinion expressed by the hon. member for Winnipeg North Centre (Mr. Knowles), and, for the reasons explained by the hon. member for Bonavista-Twillingate (Mr. Pickersgill), I will certainly not vote in favour of his amendment. This hospitalization insurance and diagnostic services legislation, put on our statute books by the preceding government, was obviously appreciated by most Canadians, as evidenced by the fact that six provinces have already entered into the plan. As far as the province of Quebec is concerned, that proposal was also welcomed by the people and confirmed by the June 10 vote.

There is no point in dwelling at length on the advantages of this social service. Most

people in this country, have studied it, understand it and would be happy to see it implemented. However, the province of Quebec has withheld its approval and for a very simple reason. The Union Nationale government of my province wants no part of it because this social security measure was originally put forward by a Liberal government in Ottawa.

That is why I would like to ask the present government, one enjoying the good graces of the Quebec Union Nationale, to use its influence to have this measure accepted. It would be a great service to our people.

On polling day, June 10, many people in my constituency came to ask me to pay their hospital bills, even before casting their votes. My answer was immediate. I referred them, with my best regards, to the proper authorities.

Mr. Speaker, I am stating these facts so that you will understand the urgency of making such a service available to the great majority of our families of modest means.

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Mr. Samuel Boulanger (Drummond-Arihabaska):

I would like to direct a question to the Minister of Agriculture.

I know the Minister of Agriculture speaks French, and I shall ask him this question in French.

Does the government propose to call a federal-provincial conference on agricultural development?