Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I had not thought of speaking to the matter or the principle of this particular bill, but I must say that I have to indicate my opposition at this particular time to the principle. I believe that it is a bit premature to proceed to the dismantling of the Housing Corporation Board of Directors until we are clear about the direction that we want to take with our boards and our agencies and commissions.
The other point that I wanted to make, Mr. Speaker, is simply that at this particular time the Housing Corporation Board is the only method that the communities and regions have to influence generally the housing policy in our government. Now, the Minister may shake his head at that point of view, but the simple fact is that at this particular juncture there is no other mechanism for allowing the regions and the communities to have influence. The suggestion may be made that Members on this side of the House can influence public policy, but that simply is not necessarily the case. It depends on whether or not the Minister and government are prepared to listen to us.
At this particular juncture, prior to making some decision about the direction we wish to take with boards, I think it is a bit premature; and I would find it very difficult, until I knew what would replace the process of community influence, to support the principle of this particular bill.