Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate you on your election to the chair.
I would also like to inform the House that presently there are over 500 interprovincial trade barriers which cost Canadians over $6.5 billion annually. These barriers make it easier to trade with Mexico and the United States than within our own borders.
Creating a single economic market in Canada would help counter the nation's current regional drift and would allow Canadians to work where they choose.
The federal and provincial governments signed an agreement last week for the removal of many of the 500 barriers. This is extremely encouraging.
The Reform Party caucus is supportive of these efforts and applauds the provincial and federal governments for providing a clear definition of interprovincial trade barriers. As well the commitment of these governments to the June 30, 1994 time line is most commendable.