Good afternoon. The point I would like to make is that, unfortunately, consultations occur that do not respect the rights of all concerned and do not give everyone an opportunity to present their views. As far as I am concerned, that is critical. I want my rights to be respected. This evening, however, the colleague to my left did not respect those rights. When someone tables an amendment in English only, even though I understand the language very well, my rights are not respected and I know that you all understand my position.
I would like to put a question to Ms. George and Mr. Laurin. Given my professional background, I am very wary of people who say that everything is absolutely wonderful, that tremendous improvements are on the way, in the form of 591,000 new jobs and $36 billion of new investments in Ontario. I am wary of that kind of claim because, if it will really be that great, how is it that, without the HST, things are not really so bad? I try to see the other side of things. If it is going to be so fantastic afterwards, that must mean that it was not so fantastic beforehand. If I am not mistaken, Mr. Laurin said that we will be more competitive, but compared to whom? British Columbia and Ontario will have the HST. Quebec has had it for 17 years now. But so have three other Maritime provinces. Alberta does not have a tax. That leaves only Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Prince Edward Island.
I am wary of all these great things. Don't get me wrong: I am in favour of this taxation formula, but to then say the end result will be total perfection, I think a little restraint is in order. I would be interested in hearing your comments, because I respect the provinces' fiscal autonomy. As a member of the minority, I am very anxious to see Quebec receive the same treatment and that it be given $2.6 billion as quickly as possible. I would be interested in hearing your comments.
Ms. George, would you care to comment?