I would like to hear your thoughts on unused capacity in the Canadian economy.
As the MP for Beauport—Limoilou, I am very proud to represent a region where there has been a high rate of economic activity. The unemployment rate is standing at 5% to 6% whereas 20 years ago, when I left university with my degree in hand, the unemployment rate was about 11% or 12%. This was a very difficult situation. The current situation is the result of the public, parapublic and private sectors mobilizing and deciding to invest in the future and in innovation.
We saw some very wonderful examples at the Mercuriades Gala, with, for example, the TeraXion company which does business throughout the world. In fact, this company hardly does any business here in Canada.
I will not conceal the fact that I am dismayed that we are, to some extent, relying heavily on recovery occurring in other countries. I feel that we should be relying more on ourselves, but this is probably due to my being proud. At any rate, this all remains to be seen.
Could you tell me what you think, first of all, about my pride problem, and then about what means we could use to tap into this unused capacity in Canada to help the Canadian economy?