Mr. Richard Harris (Cariboo—Prince George, CPC): Mr. Speaker, I listened to the comments of the member for Winnipeg Centre. He is quite correct. Why has this taken so long?
   
I am not talking about the most recent period. As the parliamentary secretary said, there is a process to go through.
   
The Liberal government was in power from 1993 to late 2005, a total of 13 years. It had ample time within that vast period of government to deal with this issue. Yet the Liberals treated that issue as if it was so far below the importance, in their minds that it was never even contemplated.
   
I congratulate our minister for having the mind to realize the importance of this issue and bring it to our government's attention. We have dealt with it.
   
I would like to ask the parliamentary secretary this. Was there any justification for a 13 year hands off approach to this most important issue that the Liberal government displayed?