Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the question of the hon. member. He should realize that we have only been in government six months. We understand and our commitment to jobs has not wavered at all. In fact, some of the announcements that we have already made as a government with respect to the infrastructure program or support for small business or support for research and development will pay big dividends in terms of job creation.
Our commitment to jobs is not any less today than it was before the election. Our red book talked extensively about a change in the economy. One of the changes in the economy is with respect to the defence sector. I think historically we should realize, and I tried to point this out in my speech, that in terms of what is happening in Europe and in the United States, Canada in fact is facing some of the same challenges.
I hope the member is not suggesting that we close down the whole defence industry in this country because that is thousands
and thousands of jobs. We realize there is a need for defence industries and we have some of the best in the world right here in Canada, including in London, Ontario where we have many.
In Quebec and B.C. we have great industries. They are serving a useful purpose. Whether or not that purpose is still justified 10 or 15 years down the road no one knows. I think our red book says, and I would point this out to the member, that defence conversion consists really of three points: (1) redefining Canada's defence policy and the role of the military. As he knows there is consultation now on what that defence policy should be; (2) the rationalization of defence infrastructure, and that means looking at how we can assist these industries, communities and workers. As I said, these workers are very highly skilled, in high paying jobs. We need to look at how we can have adjustments for these workers; (3) the conversion of the defence industrial base to reduce the dependency on defence sales. I think that is important. We cannot cast out those industries and those workers just like that. We need to work with those companies, utilize their highly skilled workers, utilize their high technologies and be able to look for commercial applications of those things.
The member should realize, as I tried to define in my speech, that certain materials and certain parts produced by certain companies are not only defence related industries. They, in fact, serve a dual purpose. We ought to take advantage of making sure that this country faces the new economy by relying on the high skilled jobs that the defence industries have and also their technology.
We are prepared to work with those members and all members to ensure that we provide employment in this country.