I will use the terminology that I've used before. I believe that 99% of these businesses are legitimate businesses that want to continue to work in their community, such as yours in the north and those in the territories as well. They're not tax cheats, as Mr. Fast referred to, the way they have been referred to by some in the House before—I think by the Prime Minister—in regard to that.
As I said, the goal of some of these businesses is to make sure that they are successful. There are different definitions of “wealthy”. I'm assuming that they're referring to financially wealthy. Most of these small business owners will use the funds, which the next generation will probably have to borrow to make the purchase of that business, for their retirement.
Personally, I have no problem being involved in small business, having been a farmer throughout most of my life and having watched those around me operate businesses. Is there ever a tax position in the country that someone isn't trying to find a way to get around? There are accountants and tax lawyers who spend a great deal of time and effort trying to make sure they're putting as many dollars as they can into their local people's pockets, by looking at such things as whether or not their businesses are incorporated.
It is important to have a structure in Canada that helps to provide the quality products that we are known for exporting around the world, to have the freedom to continue to have community development by leaving these dollars in these communities, to be able to have the pride of ownership that many families really feel, and to convince the next generation that the business they're in is a great one for them to take over. It is also important to have them educated to be able to do that. I think that's a circumstance that we need to be quite proud of in this country, and we always need to be cognizant of those who might try to skirt the types of structures that are set up. I would say that, from an efficiency point of view, this is being set up to make sure that we help small businesses and put them on an equitable field.