Here is the line of questioning;

MR. REID: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Premier is a bit testy again today. My questions are for the Minister Responsible for Transportation and Works, and Aboriginal Affairs.

Minister, today we have representatives from the Federation of Mayors and Municipalities in our galleries, who are attending meetings to discuss ferry services in our Province. Prior to and during the election, as well as in your Blue Book, you promised the people of this Province reduced ferry rates to bring them in line with road transportation.

Since you did not meet with these people today, can you tell this House: Why have the rates increased by 25 per cent, rather than having been reduced like you promised prior to the election?

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Transportation and Works, and Aboriginal Affairs.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. RIDEOUT: Mr. Speaker, first of all, let me respond to the allegation of not meeting with this group today.

This group, seven days ago Friday, sent a written request to meet with me. Well, everybody knows that two days last week I was Government House Leader here and could not leave the floor of the House. On Wednesday, I had to appear before the Estimates Committee and do my Estimates. On Thursday, we had Cabinet. Some time late Thursday night, I saw the bottom of my in-basket for the first time last week, Mr. Speaker, and when I saw the bottom of the in-basket I found that this group had unilaterally set a date today for their meeting and demanded that I appear.

Mr. Speaker, I do not operate that way. I will meet with anybody, anywhere, any time, given reasonable notice, but I will not be dictated to, and be available at the whim of somebody else.

AN HON. MEMBER: The whim?

MR. RIDEOUT: Yes, the whim.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

MR. RIDEOUT: I have been around long enough, and I am not going to - I do not treat people that way and I do not take kindly to being treated that way myself, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, on the issue of rates -

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

I ask the minister now to complete his answer very quickly.

MR. RIDEOUT: I will try, Mr. Speaker, sure.

On the issue of rates, Mr. Speaker, we would like nothing better than to reduce ferry rates, do away with them all together - we would like nothing better - but, Mr. Speaker, the godawful financial mess that we inherited from this crowd opposite, they are the last ones that should be getting up talking about what we should do to correct the financial situation of the Province.