Mr. Speaker, we are now enjoying the highest economic growth of any of the G-7 countries. We are enjoying the highest economic growth of almost any of the OECD countries. We are creating jobs. We are reinvesting in the economy. We have the best productivity record of almost any of the industrial countries. Our exports are up. I have been told about 10 times that our exports are up.
Let it be very clear that this has been a very good year for the Canadian economy.
Interest rates are up. They are up because of inflation in the United States. They are up for a number of reasons. The single most important reason for the increase in interest rates this week is the international financial community has said that one of the major provinces of the country, Quebec, refuses to face up to its deficit problems.
I call upon it to do its job.