Yes.
I also said at the outset that we heard a lot of grumbling in our network. You spoke with chambers of commerce, as well as businesses who are direct members of the Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec, or FCCQ. I’m thinking specifically of SMEs, or people involved in the SME sector. They say this measure completely discourages success and any incentive to invest in their own business.
Currently, the amount of investment into research and development is said to be very low. I just heard a few speakers say so. This will not, in fact, improve the situation. This tax measure will not help businesses get back on track.
As for Canada—which is at the bottom of the list of OECD countries in terms of investing in research and development and in developing its access to venture capital—this measure runs counter to the general principle of being able to access venture capital. A business will often benefit from selling shares to support its growth. We frequently hear those kinds of comments. We heard them well before the measure was announced in the last federal budget, back in April.