Mr. Chair, I want to take this opportunity to highlight the contrast between us, the Liberals and the Conservatives. We believe that Canadians expect their government to play a role in smoothing out difficult times when Canadians are experiencing circumstances that are not of their control.
We all know the economies are really controlled by international factors, factors out of our control--and out of the control of the workers, out of the control of the employers. That's a government's role--and that is why we collect taxes and manage the affairs of the country--to help Canadians at difficult times. This is an opportunity for our government to demonstrate leadership and stand up for Canadians. Ironically, that was the slogan the Conservatives used in their last campaign. We have yet to see them do that in action.
Having said that, I think this is a great opportunity. We wish the industry was not going through these difficult situations, but it is understandable that occasionally, through economic cycles, certain segments of the economy go through challenges, and the government needs to be there for Canadians who are suffering the consequences of those difficulties.
I also want to highlight the irony of Mr. Harris's point of view when he says this might be considered a subsidy. While on the one hand he says we can't do that, he shouldn't on the other hand take pride in the fact that they have an aid package. It is contradictory. You can't say a government can't provide a package but say that we are providing an aid package. The reality is that the aid package that the Conservatives are proposing is not really directed to the forestry economies or the manufacturing economies. It is being held hostage to political and partisan consideration, and the committee is adamant that we send a message to the government, on behalf of all Canadians, particularly Canadians who are in these regional economies and suffering the consequences of those slowdowns, that the government has a role to play.
That is why we even took out the dollar amount, to give flexibility to the government in how it implements that aid package. But there must be a role for government to help communities in need, at times of need, for a transitional period until they're able to get back up. In fact, when they do that, they'll be carrying other weaker sectors of the economy when they're going through other difficult times.
Therefore, Mr. Chair, I would like to call this motion to question. I think we've heard various points of view and I would like to call this motion to question for the sake of time.
Thank you.