Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to confirm to this House and to the hon. member the government's commitment to its deficit reduction program on two fronts, the reduction of spending and the growth in the economy.
Since the beginning of the year the economy has forged ahead at a 5 per cent annual rate. It is the best performance in more than six years. During the third quarter real exports were up more than 5.6 per cent, a record level. A tremendous export performance has led to the highest merchandise trade surplus in six years.
Corporate profits are up for the eighth consecutive quarter to levels that will bring more business advancement and more jobs for Canadians.