We are asking our businesses to take action with very little leeway. As was said earlier, it takes seven hours and 54 minutes for them to barely cover their costs. This statistic is most appropriate. Businesses perhaps need exactly that kind of leeway.
I agree with the general philosophy that is emerging here. We must help our businesses become more innovative, and competitive, and not unduly hand out subsidies to lost causes. I think everybody agrees on this.
I think we also have to see if there are not other tools available right now. Some of our trading partners comply with the rules, others do not. For several years, we have been pointing out that some sectors deserve safeguard measures. For example, as we speak, in Montreal, not very far from the FTQ headquarters, 600 female workers at Golden Brand are being laid off. They will be losing their jobs in a matter of weeks.
Generally speaking, the government could have shown more willpower to protect these rights. This does not mean that we need to protect the garment and textile industry indefinitely and forever, but we could have given the manufacturing sector a chance to retool itself and carry on with business. From this point of view, we are not entering the market with equal weaponry. This is obvious. Monetary and trade policies are also important factors.