Madam Speaker, I am a little surprised to hear what the hon. member from the Reform Party had to say immediately after the speech the hon. member for Fraser Valley West had given, emphasizing that the government was to step in only when necessary. He was in fact leaving the door open to some government involvement, while in the amendment and the remarks made by the hon. member for the Reform Party who spoke just before me, the door is totally closed.
Deleting, in Clause 14, lines 19 to 47, on page 7, and lines 1 to 8, on page 8, is absolutely unthinkable, as far as we are concerned. Let me explain. Again, this Reform Party proposal shows that this party is totally out of touch with economic reality. It cannot conceive the role of the State as that of an economic leader, a developer. It sees it more as a wait-and-see role, if not that of a killjoy.
By deleting large portions of Clause 14 which enables the government, through its Minister of Industry, to influence small and medium size businesses to facilitate the implementation of programs or projects under the act, the Reform Party shows, once again, its commitment to fostering wild liberalism: "Let us go. We will see where it leads us".
The Bloc Quebecois can only condemn such an attitude, an attitude of permissiveness with respect to the market economy. You cannot just say: "Go at it, any which way you want". I think that the State has a role to play as an economic leader, and a
promoter of development. I think that is part of the responsibilities of the State.
Therefore, we think it is essential that the government be able to have a say concerning loans that may be made, guarantees that may be given and loan insurance or credit insurance that may be provided, as stated in paragraph 14(3)(a).
Unlike the Reform Party, we feel it is also essential that the government be able to make loans and guarantee the repayment of any financial obligation or provide loan insurance ir credit insurance and make grants and contributions.
The Premier of Quebec made it clear -he sent clear signals- when he said that the State must be an active player in the economy. It must not assume the role of a banker, but its certainly can guarantee repayment for SMEs, which are recognized as creating the most new jobs, to promote their development and help them face this free trade, global market, high-tech, competitive context. In a nutshell, support the development of businesses. The primary role of the state is to be an economic leader and developer.
Quebec, as we know it today, is the product of the emergence of a state actively involved in the economic development of its territory since the beginning of the 1960s. Take for example the great success of Hydro-Québec, the major role played by the Quebec deposit and investment fund and, more recently, the success of the Solidarity Fund, which go to show that the economy of the community has to be made available to small and medium size businesses, indeed, the ones that generate the most employment.
Minister Paillé has just implemented a program for SMEs, to guarantee repayment to a maximum of $50,000 for SMEs, people who have ideas, who can implement ideas, create jobs and develop them.
That is what we call economic support. Action must be taken to support the people who are very active in terms of development and job creation. There are many out there who have ideas and can set up businesses.
The Bloc Quebecois can only express disagreement with this presentation and the Reform Party amendment. Because we recognize that any State has a role to play as a developer and must support economic development, particularly as regards SMEs, we are clearly opposed to the amendment brought forth by the Reform Party.